Moses anointed the tabernacle and its furnishings with oil to consecrate them as holy and set apart exclusively for God’s service. Anointing signified sanctification, marking the objects as belonging to the Lord and dedicated to His worship.
Leviticus 8:10–11 says:
“Also Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. He sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, anointed the altar and all its utensils, and the laver and its base, to consecrate them.”
The use of oil represented the presence and blessing of the Holy Spirit. Everything associated with the tabernacle had to be sanctified because God’s dwelling is holy. Nothing common or unclean could be part of His worship.
This act foreshadowed the work of the Spirit in consecrating believers for God’s service under the New Covenant. 2 Corinthians 1:21–22 says:
“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
The anointing of the tabernacle teaches that worship and ministry must be carried out with holiness, under the sanctifying work of God.
