The concept of "God's Anointed" is a central theme throughout the Bible, encompassing various roles and responsibilities that are divinely appointed. The term "anointed" refers to individuals who have been consecrated or set apart by God for a specific purpose, often through the ritual of anointing with oil. This practice signifies the empowerment and blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the individual for their God-given mission.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the role of God's anointed is primarily associated with kings, priests, and prophets. The anointing of kings is a prominent theme, beginning with Saul, the first king of Israel. In 1 Samuel 10:1, Samuel anoints Saul, saying, "Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?" . This act signifies Saul's divine appointment as king, tasked with leading and protecting God's people.

David, perhaps the most famous of God's anointed kings, is chosen by God and anointed by Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:13: "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward" . David's anointing marks him as a man after God's own heart, destined to establish a kingdom that foreshadows the eternal reign of the Messiah.

Priests, too, are anointed for their sacred duties. Aaron and his sons are consecrated as priests through anointing, as described in Exodus 28:41: "After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them to serve Me as priests" . This anointing sets them apart for the holy work of mediating between God and the people, offering sacrifices, and maintaining the sanctity of the tabernacle.

Prophets, while not always anointed with oil, are often considered God's anointed due to their divine calling and empowerment by the Spirit. Elijah, for example, is instructed to anoint Elisha as his successor in 1 Kings 19:16, indicating the transfer of prophetic authority and responsibility.

Messianic Fulfillment

The ultimate fulfillment of the role of God's anointed is found in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The term "Messiah" itself means "Anointed One," and Jesus is recognized as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning a divinely appointed Savior. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, declaring, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor" . This proclamation affirms Jesus' role as the anointed deliverer, bringing salvation and restoration to humanity.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus embodies the roles of prophet, priest, and king. As a prophet, He speaks God's truth and reveals divine mysteries. As a priest, He offers Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin, mediating a new covenant between God and humanity. As a king, He inaugurates the Kingdom of God, exercising authority over creation and promising an eternal reign of peace and justice.

New Testament Believers

The role of God's anointed extends to New Testament believers, who are described as anointed by the Holy Spirit. In 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Paul writes, "Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come" . This anointing empowers believers to live out their faith, serve the body of Christ, and participate in the mission of spreading the Gospel.

The anointing of believers signifies their adoption into God's family and their participation in the priesthood of all believers, as described in 1 Peter 2:9: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" . This calling emphasizes the responsibility of believers to live holy lives, bear witness to the truth, and serve as ambassadors of Christ's kingdom.

In summary, the role of God's anointed encompasses a divine calling to leadership, service, and proclamation of God's truth. Whether in the Old Testament or the New, the anointed are set apart by God to fulfill His purposes, ultimately pointing to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the Anointed One.