Chapter 29; Exodus, Consecration of the Priests I hope that everyone had a chance to catch their breath over

our fall break. I appreciate your allowing me to take a couple of weeks off. If there are questions regarding any of the previous material or questions asked, please do not hesitate to contact me or write me back on this site. We now continue with the study of the consecration of the priests. I have to admit the further I read and study the more inadequate I feel to facilitate and unfold the words written within these chapters. I am humbled as I read these instructions and ask that the Lord use my limited knowledge to describe what is penned in His Holy Word. The line of Aaron, chosen from the tribe of Levi to become priests, was required to be cleansed of their sin before entering into the priestly vocation. (Priests at this point in history gained this position through birth into the tribe of Levi.) The first point I notice is the washing of those men God ordained to become the priests. The washing of their bodies reminded me that before participation in the Lords Supper we, as a congregation, are asked to pray for Gods forgiveness for sins in our lives before we partake. We are cleansed by the Lords forgiveness and therefore become worthy to participate. After the washing of the bodies, Aaron was clothed with the garment we studied in the previous chapter. This garment was prepared with specific instructions that carried representation for all the tribes before God. Aarons anointing with oil could denote the presence of the Holy Spirit. The next instruction was for Aarons sons to be clothed in their priestly tunics. Three offerings took place; a bull for a sin offering; a ram for a burnt offering; and another ram for consecration. Please remember that what we are learning in the Old Testament will be remembered through the body of Christ in the New Testament. As I continued to read through these verses and the amount of blood that was shed by these animals, I realized after watching the movie, The Passion of Christ that there was a tremendous amount of blood that was shed by the body of Jesus when He gave His life for us. He was beaten unrecognizable and blood flowed all around the area where Jesus was beaten. Although we dont like to be reminded, there was an incredible amount of blood that was shed for us as Christ died for our sins. It appears the flow of blood was also great during the sacrifice of these animals.

The fat of the animal was considered the choicest or best part. Since our best is to be given to God it would seem fitting that this part would be given in sacrifice. The animal that was completed burned on the altar symbolizes that our lives, like that of Jesus Christ, is to be given in complete devotion to God. When the description of taking the blood of the ram of consecration and putting it on the right ear of Aaron and his sons, on the thumb of their right hands, on the big toe of their right feet and then sprinkling their garments I wondered as to this significance. With the help of my commentary I learned that this symbolized a cleansing of every area of the human life; the ear for obedience to hear Gods Word; the hand for action/service; the foot for daily walking with the Lord and sprinkling the garments with blood represented complete atonement clearly seen by all witnesses on the outside! The sacrifice was then waved before the Lord and then burnt on the altar. One part of the breast of the animal was waved horizontally and the shoulder was heaved vertically. The meaning was to represent Gods affection for His people and His power stretched out on their behalf. This exercise of consecration lasted seven days and the sacrifices were repeated daily. The altar was cleansed by blood and anointed with oil. The priests from this time forward were required to offer on the altar of burnt offering two lambs, one year in age, one in the morning and the other in the evening at twilight. Then I will dwell among the Israelites

and be their God. They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God. Exodus 29:45-46
NOTE: As I finish up the lesson this week I am wondering, as you might, why all the symbolism? Why the animal sacrifices and the particular way in which to do it? And then I have to reflect back on the fact that I live in a world of multi-tasking and short cuts. When I taught Literature in middle school my students always wanted to know if a book assigned to read could be found on a DVD movie. They didnt want to spend the time reading and using their imaginations to paint the pictures of characters and scenery. So it has become with our society as a whole. We are a people of instant gratification. Could it be that time and effort is required to go through all the elements of sacrifice in the tabernacle? Time to think about what it is the people of God were doing and being requested to do? Time for them to watch and listen as the priests followed the instructions of God? Time to reflect on the blood that flowed from the bodies of these innocent animals giving their lives in order that the sins of the people would be forgiven?

I dont know all the answers as to why, but I do know that nothing that is printed in scripture is put there by coincidence. God has a unique purpose for everything He does. Being finite human beings our understanding cannot absorb the majesty or the intelligence of God Almighty. May God enable us to have the faith to follow even though we may not fully understand. What we need to know will be revealed through the Holy Spirit of God when He deems best.

Thank you, Lord Jesus that although we might not encompass fully the knowledge written within scripture, you know and will unfold what we need to understand. Open our minds and hearts that we can distinguish the truth with discernment and then testify of your goodness and mercy. In Jesus name, Amen!