Christ is a word which means "Anointed". Jesus demonstrated this anointing as He taught, prophesied and healed people, raised others from the dead, fed thousands with just a few loaves and fish, changed water into wine and rebuked the wind and waves.
This same anointing is available for all those who are in Christ (after all we are Christians who have the opportunity to move in the presence of the anointing. The gospels and the book of Acts show us the results of being in that anointing. The Holy Spirit is the source of this anointing made available to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus. The anointing blesses us, but this is not the primary focus. The anointing brings about God’s purpose in us and through us. We as creatures align to the Creator through the anointing. We also bear the family likeness as the anointing changes us from glory to glory. We are all in process and there is always more to discover, but over the next few pages, I hope to write section by section about the ingredients of this anointing.
In Genesis 49 we see that the anointing of God has a 12 -fold nature which relates to the Hebrew meaning of the twelve sons of Jacob (Jacob was God’s choice to found the community of Israel and in this chapter He is giving a fatherly blessing over this community and in so doing bringing prophetic revelation about the anointing which is given to the people of God by the Holy Spirit)
| Name | Hebrew Meaning |
| Reuben | Seeing |
| Simeon | Hearing |
| Levi | Intimacy |
| Judah | Praise |
| Zebulan | Dwelling |
| Issachar | Reward |
| Dan | Assessment |
| Gad | Gathering |
| Asher | Joy |
| Naphetali | Struggle |
| Joseph | Fruitfulness |
| Benjamin | Sonship |
We will look at each one in turn
1. Seeing (Reuben)
The first ingredient is Seeing. The anointing breaks through veil satan has placed over our minds
(2 Cor 6); the veil of death which tries to keep us from seeing the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus.
Without the anointing we have no light and thus no sight. The anointing brings revelation to our hearts. Scripture becomes astoundingly clear and relevant. Life also looks different. We also find what we see has a relational dimension with God and when that happens it becomes precious to us. Jesus by contrast described those moving in scriptural truth without anointing, as being blind guides who lead themselves and others into a ditch. Without God’s revelation, everything is supposition. Seeing is the first thing we need to move in.
Jesus could only do what he saw the Father doing (John 5:19). We as Christians should expect to see what others cannot see, and this comes not from our rational intelligence but from our relationship with God in which the anointing flows to us and through us. In this context we will also see with words of knowledge, words of wisdom, prophecy as well as seeing some of the supernatural dimensions around us. In the fathers house we all have a room with a view
This month we look at Hearing and Intimacy
2 & 3 Hearing (Simeon) & Intimacy (Levi)
Genesis 49:5-7
Hearing and Seeing are designed to go together. Simeon and Levi are brethren..
In general, we hear in the intimate place with God, and we are intimate with God when we are hearing from him. Abide in me and if my word abides in you....
But this is not all Jacob says about this, they are brethren because they have the same result ...zeal.. Our self life can easily skew this anointing from the Lord (see verse 6).. The following verses are often only explained in the behaviour or Levi and Simeon in Genesis 34, but I think this misses the point about the lessons from this aspect of the anointing.
The human spirit receives zeal through hearing and through intimacy, and it is zeal through which the government of the Lord is seen (Isa 9:6). But this can easily become anger or wrath. Instead of building God’s Kingdom we do the opposite. It is because of the dangers zeal can bring that Jacob continues with some helpful reminders when we are in the place of intimacy and hearing from God.
(a) Intimacy and hearing can bring about zeal which destroys rather than builds up. instruments of cruelty are in their habitations . We can be attackers of those who have not heard what we have heard or who do not belong to us. Our soul, whilst it will abide in private communion with God and hear from him, must have a focus beyond just hearing and intimacy (for example mission, or serving or relationships) my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly.
(b) God’s glory is not carried on our hearing or intimacy. It is on our obedience and character
O, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill
they digged down a wall. Many church divisions or wars over religion started with genuine
hearing from God and intimacy with God, but the response was in our self will ..e.g. the wars resulting from the reformation or the putting down of one church or Christian by those who are spiritual and moving with God.
(c) Being angry or wrath does not bring a blessing. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: For example someone can go to a conference and hear from God or be close to Him and come back in fierceness or wrath at the shortfalls in the worship or teaching and achieve little.
I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
In the church of God both in the times when church is weak (Jacob) and when it is moving in authority (Israel), this aspect of the anointing (hearing or intimacy) are not concentrated, but present in every resultant manifestation of the anointing ( i.e. part of church life and mission). In the anointing there are times when God speaks and times when God overwhelms us by His presence. These rarely are together. We can be close to God in our Bible Study and then hear God while we are about our daily chores, or we can hear God without being overwhelmed by Him. This is deliberate so that we can continue to move in the anointing.
When Ezekiel is overwhelmed by God’s presence, so he falls over (Ezekiel 1: 28—2:1), God refuses to speak to Him until he stands up, thus moving out of that place of intimacy. By contrast in Ezekiel 3, when he is intimate with God and God speaks to him, he describes his emotional state as “ I went in bitterness in the heat of my Spirit, but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me (Ezekiel 3: 14). We cannot forget that when Jesus had an intimate encounter with the Spirit and heard God speak together at his baptism, it is no surprise that He was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness. This is why in most cases intimacy and hearing are separate in our experience as we move in the powerful anointing of God
4. Praise (Judah)
Praise and fruitfulness are the two which have the longest descriptions of Jacob’s prophecy. This is because these `are the two most noticeable distinctive aspects of the anointing of God in the world of men, and is also the most manifest part of the essential relationship with God which is the anointing of God. It is praise which is the way we enter the courts of the Lord (Ps100) and is the way the presence of God is seen (walls of praise Isa ) The anointing is the presence and power of God through the Spirit of God.
Let us look at what Jacob has to say about Praise. In this we are looking at anointing in our speech. Worship, preaching, evangelism, blessing, spiritual warfare proclamation, teaching, testimony are all within the orbit of this anointing. I have summarised all this by the word Judah (which in English means praise)
(1) “Praise” and authority go together (8b, 10). It shows in the church (v8) as the church recognises `the importance of praise and other ministries and gifts will give place to “praise” as there will be the recognition that God is in it. This is no more clear than in the area of worship, because this is relating to the Lord who is indeed the source of everything. The Presence of God is never far from the Authority of God . Praise defeats the enemy v8b(see 2 Chronicles 20:22);
(2) Praise operates out of the finished work of Jesus. “you return from the prey” v9. Praise operates out of something settled , achieved , done, accomplished. \This is supremely the cross and resurrection of Jesus, but also out of something we have known, something we have experienced or something we have recognised. What has happened has a real place for “Praise””.
Praise is towards the Lord but is also blessing to the nations. The Judah anointing ushers in the kingdom through proclamation (cf Mark 1:15-16 Jesus came proclaiming the kingdom). The obedience of the nations is when the kingdom of God brings God’s will on the nations thus fulfilling the general promise given to Abraham that his offspring would be a blessing to the nations. The Kingdom opposes and undoes the work of the enemy and has authority to do so. The righteousness that the obedience to God’s will of the nation brings then exalts that nation.
(4) “Praise” operates within and beyond a church context .It is tethered (v11) to the corporate context (the vine is often used as a phrase for the people of God Isa 5; John 15). Praise in church and proclamation from a church. There will always be some church corporate context for this. Praise is so closely linked with the church that God’s plan is to make the church the praise of all the earth (Isa 62:7). On his own at the cross Jesus was the lamb; but in the church, He is the Lion of Judah bringing about the rule of God in the world.
(5) The anointing is attracted to the “choicest branch”. Praise dwells in what is good, it manifests at the best of times, in the richest of fare. Blessing is the context of this anointing flow
(6) “his eyes will be darker than wine; his teeth whiter than milk” The blessing of God that is brought (e.g. wine or milk), the “praise” anointing makes the blessing more distinct and clearer to others
5. Zebulun (Dwelling/Habitation)
This is describing prophetically the area of land Zebulun will have (to the north of Israel bordering Syria next to the sea). But it means more than this .
Genesis 49:13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; . The anointing dwells at the interface between heaven and the earth. It is a place of safety for those caught up in the waves of life . Hiding under the shadow of His wings; recognising God as a refuge and a fortress where we can always resort when under trial is one of the bible themes that accord with this verse. and his border will extend toward Sidon.
This interface extends towards places where witchcraft and occult practice used to exercise authority. God’s kingdom extends here. An example of this is when Moses’ staff turned into a snake devoured the similar snakes the occult Egyptian priests had.
Application
You who look for God’s dwelling should not look in the safe places where there is no evil, problems or where people are at ease. God’s dwelling is in the rescue shop at the mouth of hell. From that place it will reach into hell’s territory and deliver it! The gates of hell cannot prevail against us!
Issachar “Reward”
The way the anointing manifests (reward) is not by being forced. Like a donkey, the anointing of God cannot be manipulated, forced, driven or begged. The anointing however moves freely when there is hope and promise. God’s anointing requires us to have hope set before us. The anointing will bend his shoulder to the task. The anointing can adapt to manifest in different tasks, personalities, cultures and situations. He will bend and submit. But it is not the harsh, strong loud or professionalism of the person which brings about the anointing. It is the hope.
For us to be best placed for the Lord to move, we need to stand in the place of promise not criticism, in the place of hope not fear, and recognise that the reason for the flow for healing or change of nation or kingdom fruit is not because of our right doctrine, or our good methods or even our concerns , but rather because of our hope in God.
Psalm 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 78:7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.
6. Dan (Assessment)
Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. 17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. 18 I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.
The anointing breaks the yoke. It can bursts through the ambushes of the enemy and not just defeats satan but occupy the area where he once operated. Dan anointing unseats the enemy destroying him of power to act or intimidate. Dan means judge which I define as the power to decide and to act in accordance with those choices. The anointing forms priorities; strategies and makes choices which unseat the enemy. Within this anointing is revelation, anointed speech and action (v17)and prayer intercession(v18).
The anointing stands in the way of the enemy ((v17). On the face of it, it seems like there is no contest. The Rider might not even notice the little snake by the roadside, just as the world rulers might not notice the anointing in their path; but the anointing has power to unseat the enemy. We can look back to the conversion of Saul of Sarsus; saint Augustine or Emperor Constantine as examples of how God stopped the enemy and brought about the Kingdom. There are many modern day examples and you who read this may know this in your own experience. You were once moving in the wrong direction and God spoke to you or something happened which you now see as God in action to change your dirtection and bring about His Kingdom in your life.. Some bible Illustrations of Dan at work are:- Jesus unseating them as they bring forth a woman caught in adultery and he lets them make their statements and then says “let him who is without sin cast the first stone. The crowd melts away leaving the woman alone. (John 8); or when the Holy Spirit waits to approach Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus road and he perceives whilst he thought he was doing good, he was actually against God. (for old testament usage:- Nathan to David 2 Samuel 12)
˃This anointing involves revelation; proclamation and brings the kingdom of righteousness. Joy and peace in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:6).
˃When Dan speaks or acts they do not come from worldly judgements but from belonging to the people of God (v16) and therefore it is not sourced in the worlds legal systems or culture.
˃There is a strong intercessory element to this. The same part you pray is the same place where the judgements (revelation) arises (hence v18) and the more the desire for God to act, the stronger the anointing of Dan.
19 Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
The word Gad means troop. It is from a root word meaning to divide. It is used for troop as the troop is separated from the rest. It is a chosen trop. Set apart for action; The word also carries connotations of blessing as belonging to the troop is marked out for favour
Bible themes come tumbling from this word God to do with the church; unity and gathering; It is no surprise that Ps133 states that within the gathering is the blessing. Holiness (set apart)
Jacob’s main point here is that this Gad part of the anointing operates when seemingly overcome.
The conqueror perceives something special about the Christian and is saved. Examples of this in scripture would be the centurion at the cross who perceives Jesus is the son of God or Simon of Cyrene whose life was so touched on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion that his sons become Christians.
Additional examples from history would be the conversion of pagan Viking Scandinavia in the middle ages which came about through enslaved Christians from Britain; the conversion of the torturer of the Bishop of Birmingham, during WW2 because he saw the reality of the bishops faith; and in our own generation, the fall of the Berlin wall that started by persecuted down trodden people praying at Leipzig. Try to overcome God and He will overcome you!
Gen 49:16-21 (KJV)
The last four are familiar characteristics of the anointing ...Asher (joy, abundance), Naphtali (struggle, Joseph (growth) and Benjamin (sonship). All these are present when the anointing is (as indeed are the other 8 we have looked at ). I will look at them one by one.
7. Asher (Joy)
Asher is a reminder that joy is always an essential ingredient. It is with joy that you draw up from m the wells of salvation. It is a sign you have heard and received the word of god (Mark 4) it is something which strengthens us (Nehemiah) it is a sign of the kingdom (Roman 14) manmade it is something no man can take from us (John 15) as whilst it affects our emotions, the cause is supernatural not environmental or human in origin. The food of the kingdom comes in the context of joy and abundance is its fruit. No wonder joy should accompany our giving. The anointing of the kingdom is designed to bring abundance. This comes about through joy. Our offerings and service do not produce this when there is no joy. The anointing is negated by grumpy critical or suspicious, proud joyless hearts. Mammon (the spiritual principality behind money) turns us into the grump which stops abundance. Joy brings about kingdom events that delight the king (and us!!)
8. Naphtali ( struggle)
The first thing Jacob says about this is that we can struggle because we are free. In bondage we have to go along with everything, but when Jesus makes us free we can fight against the old life; against the old rulers/ expectations which used to dominate or manipulate us. The anointing is a fighter! This struggle is the way that reproduction happens. The struggle others experience can inspire those to follow after. The struggle Livingstone had in Africa was carried on by Stanley who was inspired by seeing the man at work in Africa. The struggle itself will produce more anointing. Persecuted churches in the world are growing churches
9. Joseph (growth)
Where the anointing is there is growth of God’s kingdom. This growth is “out of the box”. It happens out of haven to earth; but then growth continues to have the same characteristics. “whose branches run over the wall” Most Christians fail to recognise this. Underneath they think people grow if there is care; and churches ]grow if there is nurture; but the fact is growth does not happen through pastoral care. Getting closer together only leads to growth if the resultant relationships form an out of the box idea which starts to generate new growth. It is a pity that much anointing for growth is quenched through pastoral concerns. Growth does not start at the wall; it starts at the well. There is a seed of life from which the growth comes. No life no growth. It is as simple as that. Growing small groups? – multiply your groups or have new strategies to bring new people in. Blessing at every stage accompany growth. See blessings? There will be growth somewhere. There is also opposition, but God’s help is always at hand. Opposition does not stop the growth. There is no such thing as a hard place where growth cannot happen. All that matters is life and being willing to be out of the box”
10 Benjamin (Sonship)
The anointing we have is as a result of our relationship with god established throughJesus’ death on a cross and His resurrection. There is nothing stopping us moving in our inheritance as sons. The mark of sonship is hunger and authority. He devours the prey. Sonship will conquer the law, the accusations of the enemy, the lack of meaning in our life, the empty feelings. It will conquer addictions and past troubles. It does this in the morning when God’s light of revelation truth, life and power is being made known. As a result of all this we will enter into a new life; have a new opportunities . In the evening he divides. The son can choose how to take those opportunities and how to live. We can mark out the way the inheritance we gain through our sonship anointing will show itself.
Jonathan Couper
