Oil in the Middle East

The Middle East is one of the most contested and controversial areas of the entire world. One of the reasons it is such a hot spot is that is has 65% of the world’s crude oil supplies. According to www.ereport.ru/en/articles/commod/oilcount.htm, Middle Eastern countries hold the top five positions in highest oil reserves in the world. The biggest is Saudi Arabia at a whopping 25.5%, Iraq has 11.1%, Kuwait has 9.5% and Iran has 9.2%. The United Arab Emerates has 7.8%.
That in itself secures the Middle East a pivotal position in world politics and influence. But in ancient days if someone mentioned oil, the inhabitants would not have thought of fossil fuels. The fuel under their land wasn’t even a speck on their horizon. Oil meant something else then.
Back then, olive oil was what it was all about, and has been one of the longest standing industries in world history.
The olive was one of the first fruits mentioned in the Bible. It is native to the Mediterranean region as well as Western Asia, and the short, gnarled trees grow to be centuries old.
The ancient Israelites of Palestine used oil in many different ways. It was such an integral part of their lives that it became a symbol of health and well-being.
The harvesters would use sticks to beat the trees to bring down the fruit, which was then put into a press where huge weights would press the oil into vats.
Olive oil was used instead of butter, to light in their lamps, to make their soaps, to anoint honored guests, to smooth chapped skin, and to make hair shimmer and shine for parties and weddings. They used it to keep the leather on their shields and helmets from cracking. The Garden of Gesthemane where Jesus Christ suffered for the sins of the world was actually a grove of olive trees. “Gesthemane” actually means oil press. There is a poignant symbolism here of the weight of the world pressing on His shoulders.
It was no coincidence the ancient Israelites also used olive oil to light the menorah in their sacred temples, and to anoint their priests and kings.
Saul was the very first king anointed in this fashion, by the hand of Samuel the prophet.

Against the Giant:
Pg. 34
Samuel’s eyes opened, and they were smiling as he said, “We are alone, but God is our witness in the heavens. What I do now I do between me and thee, and the One who has chosen thee. Kneel.”
Saul obeyed. The dirt was hard beneath his knees. Samuel took the gilded ram’s horn from his girdle and touched it to Saul’s head. Saul smelled the fresh, rich scent of olive oil mingled with spices and felt its cool warmth upon his head.
Samuel took his face in his hands, kissed both of his cheeks and said, “This because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over His inheritance.”
Saul could not speak. His eyes searched Samuel’s face. He could not have explained it if he had been asked to, but his heart was swelling inside his chest, and tears filled his eyes and ran down his cheeks.
Samuel’s hands rested softly on his head. It felt like a benediction to their visit.