In Bible times, when the olive trees had born their fruit, farmers would collect all the olives in sackcloth bags till they were full. Then they would stitch up the mouth of the bag and seal it with the olives inside.
The process of extracting the oil from the olives was quite interesting, and it taught an important lesson too.
The olive-filled bags were piled on top of a flat rock, a bit wider and longer than the bags, in quantities of three or four at a time, tied together. Then another heavy flat rock, of similar size to the one beneath, was lowered on top of the bags "sandwiching" them between the two rocks. Can you see it in your mind? That's a picture of a biblical olive press.
The weight of the rock on the bags would put pressure on the olives; immediately the oil would start flowing from them through the holes in the bags and then into buckets carefully positioned at the foot of the press.
When the oil stopped flowing, the filled buckets were removed and replaced by a second set of empty buckets. Then a second rock would be added on top of the first one, thus applying more pressure on the olives. More oil would start flowing and fill the second set of buckets.
The process would be repeated until the last drop of oil could be squeezed out, resulting in five different qualities oil. Every different press of the olives gave oil that provided for the fundamental needs of daily life. Each type of oil was assigned a different purpose: from food preparation, to fuel for lamps, to medicine for wounds and soap.
The second, third and fourth quality of oil were sold according to their value and for their usage. The last one was the most inferior in quality, was sold very cheaply and because of its high acid content, it was used to make soap. Though it wasn't as valuable as the others, it still fulfilled an important need.
But the first extraction of oil was the best. That oil was for the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, where the priests would use it for anointing and for performing other religious services in the house of God. The lampstand that represented the presence of the Spirit of God was constantly lit 24 hours a day, and it was that highest quality oil that fueled it. The flame from that type of oil burned much brighter and stronger than any other type.
This first oil could not be sold or given over for household use - it was holy and consecrated to the Lord. A farmer who had his olive crop pressed, could not save the first oil for himself and then give the second or third extraction to the Lord. Though he may feel like he's missing out on the best, he is actually ensuring that all the rest of his life is in order and under the protection of God. He gives the best, so he received the best from God.
The lesson was very clear: the Lord deserves the first and best of everything. Take care of His House with the firstfruits of what we have; then what is left for our own use will be blessed and abundant.
"Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10).
What is your first oil being used for?
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