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Countless generations have used the same plants for thousands and thousands of years for remedies and to thrive. As with anything you will find conflicting information, especially with so many years of information to go through. One thing that is without question is God created these plants for us, to maintain and rectify our bodies-God’s remedies. In this section you will find herbs and oils mentioned in the Bible. Always take the time to invite the Holy Spirit into your process of crafting God’s remedies. It can be as simple as….
Heavenly Father I come to You today asking for Your guidance in making Your remedies that You created for our benefit. I ask that it is Your hand guiding every step I take. I know all goodness comes from You Lord. You have blessed us because we are Your children. We have You to give all of the thanks, all of the glory and all of the praise.
We lift these words to you in Your sons name Jesus, we love you Lord.
Amen
Olive bean press at Neot Kedumim Biblical Landscape Reserve
Photo credit https://www.bibleplaces.com/olive-harvest/
anointing oil referenced in exodus
Exodus 30:22-29 22 Then the LORD said to Moses, 23 Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 24 500 shekels of cassia-all according to the sanctuary shekel-and a hin of olive oil 25 Make these into a scared anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the scared anointing oil 26 Then use it to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, 27 the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the alter of incense 28 the alter of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. 29 You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy.
500 shekels is about 13 pounds
250 shekels is about 6.5 pounds
A single hin is about 1.5 gallons
Jebel Musa
Along with Herbs there are multiple Anointing Oils mentioned in the Bible, there are even more just oils mentioned. To be honest I do not know how many of the oils are just an oil and how many are Anointing Oils that is one of the many reasons I am doing this…..I want to know everything I can about God’s remedies from as early as possible and share His creations. So, as I learn more I will add more in. I decided to start with the “recipe” Moses received from God in Exodus 30:22-29 on Mount Sinai.
Pictured is the summit of Jebel Musa, the traditionally thought location in southern Sinai. Without a clear description in the Bible it is open to opinion, many think this location would have been too far for the Israelites to have traveled from the Nile Delta. Some say it was in the Gulf of Aqaba now called Saudi Arabia
Pictured on left the herbs used for anointing oil clockwise, starting at noon cassia, cinnamon, myrrh and calamus
Above the summit of Jebel Musa credited to https://www.bibleplaces.com/jebelmusa/
Genesis 37:25 25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them to Egypt.
Jeremiah 8:22 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is no healing for the wound on my people?
Jeremiah 46:11 11Go up to Gilead and get balm, O Virgin Daughter of Egypt. But you multiply remedies in vain; there is no healing for you.
Gilead is located east of the Jordan River between the Yarmuk River in the north and the Dead Sea to the south.
Balm of Gilead has several meanings in the Bible one is a plant with myrrh-like resin is from the Commiphora gileadensis from the Arabian Peninsula. The plant was also known as biblical bosem, persimmon and balsam. Today balm of Gilead is made mostly from balsam cottonwood trees. It is also interpreted as spiritual medicine that is able to heal Israel, sinners in general. Many biblical verses also point to Jesus as the balm of Gilead, the ultimate healer.
To Make Balm of Gilead oil simply harvest the unopen buds of the Cottonwood tree in spring, usually after a good wind storm as Cottonwood trees tend to be quite tall. You will notice a burnt amber-colored resin oozing from buds. Lay buds out for a few days to ensure dryness. Fill jar 1/2 to 2/3 with buds and add oil of your choice, I usually use Olive oil. Let sit for 6 months to a year, strain and press. Always press your herbs lots of goodness hiding in there. You will be surprised how fragrant it is. Don't assume because you are allergic to Cottonwood fluff you will be allergic to the resin or finished oil. My husband refers to Cottonwood "snow" as his arch-nemesis but slathers the finished oil or balm on almost daily with zero issues.
Gilead is a mountainous region with terraced farming receiving a good amount of rainfall averaging 24-36 inches annually. It was known for its rich balms due to the somewhat heavily forested terrain. According to the Bible Tishbe was the home of Eliajh located in Gilead, the exact location of his hometown is unknown.
Photo credit https://www.bibleplaces.com/gileadupper/