Chosen one

Psalm 105:15

"Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm."

Psalm 105 celebrates God's covenant faithfulness to His people, specifically recalling the patriarchs of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob as His "anointed ones" It recounts how God protected them during their vulnerable times living among foreign powers.

But notice that the term "anointed" is plural and bear in mind that it was applied before the formal institution of Israel's monarchy, which, suggests a broader application than to just kings!

lets look at incidences of non-compliance and the consequences!

Pharaoh and Abraham (Genesis 12:10-20)

In this passage Pharaoh took Sarah into his household, unaware that she was Abraham's wife. The result, God afflicted Pharaoh's house with "great plagues" in direct intervention.

Seeing these plagues Pharaoh realised that God was displeased so he released Sarah immediately and rebuked Abraham for his deception!

We see here that the consequence was immediate and unmistakable. Divine protection operated even when the anointed one acted wrongly in the first place!

Abimelech and Sarah (Genesis 20:1-18)

Abimelech, king of Gerar, similarly took Sarah, again due to Abraham's deception and half-truth. (What does this behaviour tell us about Abraham and Sarah?,,,, if you've nothing good to say about someone, say nothing!)

God warned Abimelech in a dream: "You are as good as dead" because of the woman

Then what did he do? God closed every womb in Abimelech's household as a physical judgment!

Restoration only came about through Abraham's intercessory prayer, which reveals and highlights the anointed one's mediatory role in being chosen!

Saul's Pursuit of David (1 Samuel 24, 26)

In this story we learn that Saul repeatedly tried to kill David, God's newly anointed future king!

And that David had two clear opportunities to kill Saul, but refused because of Saul's status as "the Lord's anointed"

But notice also that Saul's non-compliance with God's led to mental torment, military decline, and his eventual catastrophic death on Mount Gilboa.

The story reveals that even a rejected anointed one retains a sacred untouchable or inviolability status until God Himself acts.

What does Being an Anointed One mean?

Divine Setting Apart for Purpose, or 'Anointing' in Scripture signifies consecration, being set apart from common use for sacred purpose

Oil is often used to symbolise the Holy Spirit's empowering presence, that enables the person for tasks beyond our natural capacity. But 'anointing' isn't merely honorary; it's functional, as it equips prophets to speak, priests to mediate, and kings to govern. The anointed one becomes God's representative, bearing delegated authority that all of us must respect

Inviolable Protection and Divine Ownership

The command "do not touch" implies that the anointed belongs to God in a unique way. Therefore harming God's anointed is tantamount to striking at God Himself. It's an act of rebellion against divine sovereignty!

Let this point sink in, God's protection isn't based on the person's moral perfection but on His covenantal commitment!

Theologically speaking, this points forward to Christ (the Anointed One above all), whose inviolability was temporarily suspended for redemptive purposes

What's in the job?

Anointed or chosen ones stand between God and people, carrying both divine message and meeting human needs

They embody God's presence in a real and tangible way. Which makes mistreatment of them a rejection of God's authority

Similarly the role carries immense responsibility. Because anointed ones are held to higher accountability James 3:1
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

The concept of 'anointed one culminates fully in Jesus. He is both Prophet, Priest, and King, fulfilling all anointed offices perfectly

Christ, the Ultimate Anointed One!

The word "Christ" simply means "Anointed One"; Jesus is the fulfillment toward which all anointing pointed

He was anointed not with oil but with the Holy Spirit without measure and 'All hostility' toward Him results in ultimate judgment, yet His anointing also extends mercy through the gospel

Paradoxically the 'cross' shows the Anointed One harmed as his invoilability was suspended to allow for God's sovereign plan of redemption to take place.

Are we believers 'Anointed'

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 teaches that God has anointed believers, sealed them, and given the Holy Spirit as a deposit.

1 John 2:20, 27 tells us of an anointing from the Holy One that teaches believers all things. This means that every Christian shares in Christ's anointing, as we carry His presence and authority into the world

The warning of Psalm 105:15 extends, in a derivative sense, to the church. Persecuting believers is touching God's anointed!

Reverence for God's Appointed Leaders

The principle calls for careful speech and action toward those God has placed in spiritual authority

Criticism should be tempered with recognition that God deals with His servants directly

This doesn't mean blind acceptance of abuse, but a posture of humility that trusts God's ultimate justice

We can be confident in God's Divine Protection

Those called by God can rest in His protective care, even when circumstances seem threatening. So, relax remind youself that in every situation, He's got this! The patriarchal stories show that God intervenes even when we make mistakes!

This confidence should produce boldness in obedience in us, but not presumption in testing God

Self-Examination Regarding Anointed Identity

We believers should live conscious of our anointed status, asking ourselves whether our conduct reflects our calling

The anointing carries both privilege and responsibility, therefore holiness is the only appropriate response

Treating fellow believers with honour recognises the anointing they carry in Christ

A Word of Caution

The verse has been misused to shield leaders from legitimate accountability

David's example shows that respecting anointing does not require enabling sin or remaining in abusive situations

True anointing produces humility, not entitlement; Jesus washed feet, not demanded immunity

Ultimately, the verse points to God who jealously guards those He has claimed, and it invites us to live with both the dignity and the gravity of being set apart for His purposes.

Know that to be chosen by God means that you are blessed by the Almighty and therefore no curse can ever harm you.

Have a peaceful week, and may God pour out His anointing upon you.

Trev.