Peace Through Blood

Introduction

Our work over the last few weeks in the book of Exodus has been focused on the commands regarding the institution of the priesthood given by God to Moses. We have seen Aaron and his sons being ritually cleansed, vested for service, had their sins atoned for and dedicate their entire lives into the service of God. This morning we will take a look at the final sacrifice that takes place during this process of consecration and ordination and its significance, both to the people of Israel and to us here today.

As we have been doing the past few weeks in looking at both the instructional and obedience texts turn in God’s word to Leviticus 8, place your finger there and turn back over to Exodus 29. We will begin in Exodus looking at verses 19-28 then turn to Leviticus and reading verses 22-35.

Text

Stand for the reading of God’s holy, inerrant, infallible, authoritative, sufficient and complete Word:

Exodus 29:19–28 LSB

“Then you shall take the second ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram. “You shall slaughter the ram, and take some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the lobes of his sons’ right ears and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet, and splash the rest of the blood around on the altar. “Then you shall take some of the blood that is on the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and on his garments and on his sons and on his sons’ garments with him; so he and his garments shall be set apart as holy, as well as his sons and his sons’ garments with him. “You shall also take the fat from the ram and the fat tail and the fat that covers the entrails and the lobe of the liver and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them and the right thigh (for it is a ram of ordination), and one cake of bread and one cake of bread mixed with oil and one wafer from the basket of unleavened bread which is set before Yahweh; and you shall put all these in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons, and you shall wave them as a wave offering before Yahweh. “You shall take them from their hands and offer them up in smoke on the altar on the burnt offering for a soothing aroma before Yahweh; it is an offering by fire to Yahweh. “Then you shall take the breast of Aaron’s ram of ordination and wave it as a wave offering before Yahweh; and it shall be your portion. “You shall set apart as holy the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution offering which was waved and which was raised up as a contribution from the ram of ordination, from the one which was for Aaron and from the one which was for his sons. “It shall be for Aaron and his sons as a perpetual statute from the sons of Israel, for it is a contribution offering; and it shall be a contribution offering from the sons of Israel from the sacrifices of their peace offerings, even their contribution offering to Yahweh.

Leviticus 8:22–36 LSB

Then he brought near the second ram, the ram of ordination, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. And Moses slaughtered it and took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. He also brought Aaron’s sons near; and Moses put some of the blood on the lobe of their right ear and on the thumb of their right hand and on the big toe of their right foot. Moses then splashed the rest of the blood around on the altar. And he took the fat, and the fat tail, and all the fat that was on the entrails, and the lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys and their fat, and the right thigh. From the basket of unleavened bread that was before Yahweh, he took one unleavened cake and one cake of bread mixed with oil and one wafer, and he placed them on the portions of fat and on the right thigh. He then put all these on the hands of Aaron and on the hands of his sons, and waved them as a wave offering before Yahweh. Then Moses took them from their hands and offered them up in smoke on the altar with the burnt offering. They were an ordination offering for a soothing aroma; it was an offering by fire to Yahweh. Moses also took the breast and waved it as a wave offering before Yahweh; it was Moses’ portion of the ram of ordination, just as Yahweh had commanded Moses. So Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood which was on the altar and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his garments, on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him; and he set Aaron apart as holy, his garments and his sons and the garments of his sons with him. Then Moses said to Aaron and to his sons, “Boil the flesh at the doorway of the tent of meeting, and eat it there together with the bread which is in the basket of the ordination offering, just as I commanded, saying, ‘Aaron and his sons shall eat it.’ “And the remainder of the flesh and of the bread you shall burn in the fire. “And you shall not go outside the doorway of the tent of meeting for seven days, until the day that the period of your ordination is fulfilled; for he will ordain you through seven days. “Yahweh has commanded to do as has been done this day, to make atonement on your behalf. “At the doorway of the tent of meeting, moreover, you shall remain day and night for seven days and keep the charge of Yahweh, so that you will not die, for so I have been commanded.” Thus Aaron and his sons did all the things which Yahweh had commanded through Moses.

Great and Merciful Heavenly Father, we bow before Your throne of grace and mercy this morning. Even as we gather here together this morning to the praise and worship of Your glorious heavenly name we are thankful for the truth of Your word, for its guiding precepts and commands, for the charge of Yahweh that is contained within. Lord we look around all of the distractions that are going on in the world around us, the clanging of the bells by the enemy to distract and alarm Your people, and we pray for spines of steel that would stand firm and be prepared to contend earnestly for the faith once given for all. Father we give thanks that, by the blood of Christ on Calvary’s cross have forgiven the sins of Your people, may we walk forward in obedience resting in the peace that passes all understanding. We ask these things in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Ritual Pt 1

As you will notice when we began reading this passage we are now dealing with the third and final animal that God commanded Moses to bring to the doorway of the tent of meeting. Like the animal we looked at from the burnt offering this is also to be a ram that is unblemished and just like the previous two animals, Aaron and his sons are commanded to place their hands on the head before the animal is slaughtered. Once again this is not a magical ritual, there is no literal transference of sin or guilt but rather a symbolic one. By this time, the priests and the people had to have been very wary of the fact that blood was necessary for atonement. The bull had died for their sins, the first ram had died and been consumed as a representative of them submitting themselves to God wholly and this ram will now die for their consecration and purification.

In both of the previous sacrifices the blood was applied only to the altar but here we see the blood actually applied to the priest themselves, specifically to the right ear, thumb and big toe. The only other time we see this commanded specifically in scripture is in Leviticus 14 a chapter which contains the ritual of purification to cleanse those who were unclean, specifically with leprosy. What this says is that the function of this application is the full purification of this person. In applying the blood to this areas of the body they are symbolically being prepared for their role, Driver writes:

The Book of Exodus On the Urim and Thummim

The organs of hearing, handling, and walking are touched by the blood, implying that the priest is to have hallowed ears to listen to God’s commands, hallowed hands to perform his sacred offices, and hallowed feet to tread lightly the sacred places, as also to walk generally in holy ways

Ears

For any of Aaron and his sons who would serve God as a priest it was first necessary that the not only heard the Word of God, but that they heard it properly and understood it rightly. As you may have noticed in the reading of the passage from Leviticus in the final verse there is said Leviticus 8:36 “Thus Aaron and his sons did all the things which Yahweh had commanded through Moses.” Had they not properly heard and rightly understood they could not have fully obeyed.

What truth this should be for the people of God today, not only regarding the authority of the Word of God but also of the necessity to hear it properly and understand it rightly. There is a key here though, in case you missed it, in order for the Word to be properly heard and rightly understood, the blood had to be applied. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing...”.

The first step is to have the blood applied, the blood of the one true complete sacrifice, the Lord Jesus Christ, by grace through faith. After that, it becomes a matter of denying the flesh that remains, submitting to the desires of the Spirit within you, and daily work within His word to understand and comprehend. Paul writes to Timothy in his final letter, 2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

Hands and Feet

Along with hearing the word of God properly and understanding it rightly, it was also necessary that Aaron and his sons do the work of the ministry to which God had called them. With their hands they would perform the sacrifices commanded by God in behalf of the people and with their feet they would lead the people to worship. Just as with the ears, the purifying of the hands and feet enabled Moses to write that Aaron and his sons did all that Yahweh had commanded. With out clean hands to offer acceptable sacrifices and clean feet with which to lead they could not have fully obeyed.

Many of us have heard or been exposed to the saying that we have been commanded to be the “hands and feet of Jesus”. While there is no actual command in scripture, the principle does exist, that we have work to do and places to go, but I think where we go wrong often times is that we get so busy “doing the work” of caring for others, of going to meet their physical needs that we forget about their true need, the spiritual one. We complete acts of kindness and mercy and we feel good about what we did, because we were the hands and feet of Jesus and we forget that we are also supposed to be the mouth and share the gospel. Imagine, solving world hunger or curing cancer or bringing peace, in the sense of the absence of violence, to the world and never share the gospel, never truly give them the living bread, the eternal cure or the true peace… be the hands and feet, yes and amen, but do not do so to the neglect of the gospel; it’s life giving truth must be first and the other second.

The Ritual Pt. 2

Having applied the blood to the these portions of the body, Moses is then instructed by God to splash the rest of the blood around the altar, again as a symbolic gesture of atonement in preparation for use of the altar. After the blood has been sprinkled on the altar, Moses is commanded to take some of the blood and mix it with the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron, his garments, his sons and their garments. The use of these two elements combined symbolizes that God is declaring them both forgiven and pure rendering them as holy or consecrated and officially set apart. Notice the statement in verse 21 of Exodus that this is done so that both the priests and the garments are declared holy.

After this action we see the very technical description of the remainder of the sacrifice, which includes the wave offering, the priests portion and a fellowship meal of sorts, which as you may recall from the worship service after the giving of the law, symbolizes the formal ratification of a covenant, in this case between God and Aaron and his sons, officially forming the priesthood.

Each of these elements serve symbolically to represent different things, the best cuts from the ram along with the cake of bread that is first placed in the hands of Aaron and his sons which becomes a wave offering. This acknowledges that God is the provisioner and sustainer. The wave offering then being taken from the hands and consumed on the altar as a burnt offering that generates a soothing aroma to God that speaks of returning a portion to God of that which was first given to them. The breast of the ram, was given to Moses, who again uses this as a wave offering, acknowledging God as provisioner and sustainer, and then is given as the portion of the priest, here, because Moses is acting as the priest, the portion is given to him.

This whole ceremony will become known as the peace or fellowship offering by which the people of God will come into fellowship with Him and know what it is to be at peace with God. Imagine, for a moment, that you are an Israelite, bearing witness to this complicated ritual, beginning with the calling of Aaron and his sons forward, through the ceremonial washing, the repeated sacrifice, the blood that is covering the altar, staining the garments of Aaron and his sons, and the acknowledgement that all of this is necessary to minister to God and represent the people before God. What does this say to you about God and His holiness first and about how he views you and your sin, second.

Peace

As we think about those two things, God’s holiness and our sin, ask yourself, what does it truly mean to be at peace with God?

In order for us to truly understand this question we need to first, regardless of how many times it has been said before, need to have a right understanding of the current status of the relationship between God and humanity. To ensure we are on a level playing field let’s define humanity as the human nature of all individuals of the Homo Sapien category that exists from the moment of conception, so mankind in its natural state. David writes in Psalm 51:5 “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.” This is not a charge that David is leveling against his mother, rather it is one that he is leveling against himself. The context of Psalm 51 is in the aftermath of being confronted by Nathan regarding David’s affair with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. It is one of David acknowledging his sin before God and demonstrating what it means to be contrite of spirit and repent of sins and verse 5 is his acknowledgement that his very nature is sinful. Psalm 14:1–3 tells us that “The wicked fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They act corruptly, they commit abominable deeds; There is no one who does good. Yahweh looks down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there is anyone who has insight, Anyone who seeks after God. They have all turned aside, altogether they have become worthless; There is no one who does good, not even one.”

The present relationship, therefore, between God and humanity is one in which we are, by nature, sinful creatures, and God, who is by nature Holy, Just, Righteous, which puts us at direct odds with God, consider the words from Genesis 6:11–13 “Now the earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.”

Yet, even with this, there are those who would claim peace where no peace exists. Jeremiah and Ezekiel both faced this problem, Jeremiah writes in Jeremiah 6:13–15

Jeremiah 6:13–15 LSB

“For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is greedy for gain, And from the prophet even to the priest Everyone practices lying. “They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace. “Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to feel dishonor. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down,” says Yahweh.

So, back to the question of what it means to truly be at peace with God, the second thing that it is necessary to do is to properly define the word peace. If we were to look up peace in a dictionary we would find the following definitions:

the nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world

an agreement or treaty between warring or antagonistic nations, groups, etc. to end hostilities and abstain from further fighting or antagonism

a state of mutual harmony between people or groups

And it goes on in similar fashion for another 6 definitions… in summary the world defines peace as simply the absence of conflict between two parties, however, as we study the biblical definition of peace we see something different. In the final hours Jesus spent with His disciples He talked to them about His peace. In John 14:27 He says ““Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” but what exactly did He mean.

Peace in this instance refers to presence of God among His people, notice that Jesus specifically defines it as not as the world gives. His peace is eternal, it is secured, it is absolute and it is reserved only for those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Recall all of the things that were included in the peace offering before Yahweh in the ceremony to consecrate and ordain the priesthood and that it is repeated, daily, again Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 7:27 “who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.” Had Christ not come, this would be our fate, however, it is because Christ came that we can truly know peace, real, lasting, eternal peace.

Paul writes to the church at Rome in Romans 5:1-11

Romans 5:1–11 LSB

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we boast in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not put to shame, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man, though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

So, we have peace with God through Christ, but notice what Paul says in verse 3, we will also have afflictions…but these afflictions are with the world. To be at peace with God through the Lord Jesus necessarily puts us at odds with the world, as Jesus continues speaking with His disciples He tells them specifically that world will hate them, and by extension, us as followers of Christ. John 15:19 ““If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”

Conclusion

As we come to the close of this weighty passage, we are once again reminded that access to God is never casual, never common, never cheap. It is costly—so costly that it required blood on the ear, blood on the hand, blood on the foot, and blood on the altar. The ordination of Aaron and his sons was not merely ceremonial—it was sacrificial, purifying, covenantal. And what we have seen in shadow and symbol has found its fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, who did not merely offer the blood of another, but gave His own.

The priests of old were set apart to minister before God on behalf of the people. But in Christ, every believer has been consecrated—cleansed by His blood, clothed in His righteousness, and called to serve. Just as Aaron's ear was marked to hear rightly, his hand to labor faithfully, and his foot to walk uprightly, so too we have been called to live wholly unto God, in word, in deed, and in our daily walk.

The peace that was symbolized in the fellowship offering is now secured eternally through Christ. But peace with God cannot exist alongside peace with the world. You will either be consecrated or conformed.

So the question is this: Has the blood been applied to you? Are your ears tuned to His Word, your hands devoted to His service, your feet walking in His ways? Or are you merely performing religious motions without priestly devotion?

There is no neutral ground. You are either set apart for Him—or still standing apart from Him.

Closing Prayer

Gracious and Holy Father, we bow before You, humbled by the weight of Your Word and the wonder of Your mercy. As we have seen today, the consecration of the priests through blood and sacrifice points us so clearly to the perfect and final sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for the blood that cleanses, purifies, and sets us apart—not only for salvation but for service. Lord, we confess how easily we drift from this high calling. Forgive us for ears that do not listen, hands that do not labor in Your name, and feet that wander from Your path.

We ask, O Lord, that You would continue the work of sanctification in us. Apply the blood of Christ to every part of our lives. Teach us to hear Your Word rightly, to walk in obedience, and to serve with joy. May we be holy as You are holy, not in our strength, but by Your Spirit working within us.

Set us apart, O God, for Your glory alone. And may our lives be a pleasing aroma, a continual offering to You.

In the name of our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.