Psalm 45:8

Psalm 45:8

Spices and ointments

It’s time to find out a little about Middle Eastern spices and ointments! 

Myrrh  

In Genesis 37:25 Joseph’s brothers are sitting down to have a meal while their beleaguered brother sulks in a nearby cistern or well. They look up and see a caravan of Ishmaelites heading their way from Gilead; their camels loaded with spices, including myrrh. It is believed that this was an aromatic gum extracted from thorn bushes. It was used in beauty treatments and also mixed with wine and drunk to relieve pain. We are familiar with it because of the gifts of the wise men to baby Jesus and because it was used to anoint His body after death as a holy anointing oil.  Myrrh was used in Biblical times as an alluring feminine perfume and also to perfume royal nuptial robes. It is widely used today in aromatherapy treatments.

Aloes

There are a large number of these ground-hugging plants, producing succulent leaves, and the fleshy content is used to make medicines to treat wounds and to provide laxatives and aromatic soaps and perfumes. Aloes would be suitable for regal, nuptial garments.

 

Cassia

This ointment or aromatic potion is from the dried bark of a type of cinnamon tree. It is prized as a flavouring in foods, an embalming agent, a preservative and for its medicinal properties.


The picture painted in this highly descriptive verse is of opulent, no-expense-spared luxury at the wedding of a very wealthy man. The mention of an ivory adorned palace tells us that here is lavishness on a grand scale, a style of living way beyond the means of ordinary people. This verse is not so much about the wasteful expense of this king’s wedding feast but about his status, his importance, his value amongst his people; nothing is too much trouble, this man must be lauded and honoured over all of his peers. That is the way that the world rewards its great men. The Lord Jesus is King of kings but His inheritance is not the riches of the world but His people. Me and you, His pearls, His treasure. Can you believe it?

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