Perfume sales in the US reach well into the billions. Matter of fact only 17% of American women don't wear perfume. But perfume isn't something new. In Song of Solomon 3:6 we read “
Who
is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with
myrrh and frankincense . . .” The bride in this verse smells like frankincense
and myrrh. Myrrh was the same ointment that Esther was bathed in, but it was not
a leisurely bath. For you see, the oils were SCRUBBED into her skin so intense
that it became a part of her skin. In this way, the fragrance would not last
for only a few hours, like our perfumes, but Esther WAS the fragrance.
Myrrh had many uses in Bible times and has many spiritual uses for us today:
- Myrrh was an
ointment to prepare a body for burial. We should be willing to die to self.
- It was used as anointing oil for the priestly robes. It's time we realize we're kings and priest and need to step into our robes of
authority to help bring change in our homes, schools, jobs, and churches.
- It was also an alluring fragrance that attracted the bridegroom. In
Scripture we can find where the Bridegroom actually sought out the fragrance of
myrrh before he entered the bedchamber. Our bridegroom, Christ, is seeking the
scent of myrrh within us.
I am one of the 83% who enjoys wearing perfume, but my fragrance fades. I need to ask myself if I
would be willing to take a bath and scrub my skin with an ointment until I
BECOME the fragrance. We all need to be willing to take a
not so leisurely bath and be scrubbed with myrrh so we will in turn
die to self, fulfill our destiny, and welcome the Bridegroom.
Now, where's my towel? . . .
Photos courtesy of www.morguefile.com
