Ordination and Consecration

(Today's reading - Exodus 29-31)

These three chapters of Exodus deal with the ordination and consecration of the priests who will serve the nation of Israel and the establishment of worship guidelines. A few things jump from the pages as you read what God gave Moses. The detail is overwhelming! God doesn't leave anything to the imagination, He gives very specific direction to those that would serve as priests about how He was to be worshipped.

Aaron and his sons were to be washed with water, then they were to be clothed in priestly garments, there was to be sin offerings made for them and they were to eat of that sacrifice. Only the priests were to eat of this offering because it was sacred. (Exodus 29) After the priests were ordained, the precise method of worship was given. This many goats, that many sheep, incense in the morning, continuous burnt offerings, etc.... you get the idea. Very, very specific details about how God was to be worshipped and how offerings and sacrifices were to be made.

Interesting stuff, but why do I need to know any of this? Good question? Great question! We are told that the old covenant was a shadow of the things which were to come through Christ. (Col 2:16,17) So, let's dig in and see if we can find the reality that is hinted at by the shadow.

"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4,5) The priesthood of the old covenant was limited to a particular family within the nation of Israel, the new covenant makes us all priests and as such we are able to come before God and offer sacrifices. So, if we are all priests we must undergo the ordination and consecration....

Just as Aaron and his sons were washed and then clothed in priestly garments, we to are washed and clothed..."You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26-28) When we become Christians, we are washed clean of our sins (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16) and clothed with Christ. We stand before God clothed with His righteousness and are therefore seen by God as sanctified, set apart for His service. We are able to offer sacrifices acceptable to Him.

Aaron and his sons were to eat of the sacrifice that was made for their atonement. (Exodus 29: 32,33) What had been offered for them would become part of them and they would be reminded continually by eating from the altar what had been done for them. We too, under the new covenant, as priests eat the flesh and blood of the one that was offered on our behalf. We might not like to think of it that way, but that is the imagery that the Christ used to describe our sacred meal. Some call it the Eucharist, some Communion and others the Lord's Supper; but whatever you call it, it is the reality of the shadow that Aaron and his sons partook of.

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26: 26-28)

The continuous offerings that the priests made for the people were a shadow of the "all sufficient, once and for all" offering made by Jesus. "He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.  For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God." (Hebrews 9:12-14)

Romans 12 tells us that the sacrifice that God wants is a living one. After Jesus gave himself as eternal redemption, there is no longer any need for the sacrifices that are called for under the old covenant. God tells us that He wants a living sacrifice now...."I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1, ESV) No more bulls and goats, He wants you. He wants you alive and serving Him. He says that is our worship! That is our "reasonable service" (NKJV)

The old covenant was a shadow of the reality that is found in Christ Jesus. We serve as priests, offering sacrifices of ourselves that are acceptable to Him. We sit at His table every Sunday and are reminded of His sacrifice as we eat the bread and drink the fruit of the vine. We are the beneficiary of His "once and for all" sacrifice that gives us ongoing cleansing. (1 John 1:1-10) As we continue to read through the Old Testament, let us look for the shadows and find the reality in Christ. May God bless us as we read His word.