The Consecrating Blood

Exodus 29:19–21 ESV

“You shall take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram, and you shall kill the ram and take part of its blood and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron and on the tips of the right ears of his sons, and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the great toes of their right feet, and throw the rest of the blood against the sides of the altar. Then you shall take part of the blood that is on the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons and his sons’ garments with him. He and his garments shall be holy, and his sons and his sons’ garments with him.

Leviticus 8:22–24 ESV

Then he presented the other ram, the ram of ordination, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. And he killed it, and Moses 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. Then he presented Aaron’s sons, and Moses put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet. And Moses threw the blood against the sides of the altar.

Context

Moses receives instructions from God on: how to built the tabernacle, how to fabricate the clothes and how to consecrate the priests. These instructions are given and performed in Exodus, only the consecration is performed later, in Leviticus. All these things enabled the priests and high priest to enter into the tabernacle. These clothes and ceremonies gave them access.

Ear, Thumb, Toe

By this ritual the priests were set apart completely to the service of God. The ear represented the organ of hearing (as in “ears you have dug” in Ps 40 or “awakens my ear” in Isa 50), and this had to be set apart to God so that they could hear the Word of God. The thumb and the hand represented the instrument to be used for all ministry, and so everything that they “put their hand to” had to be dedicated to God and appropriate for his service. The toe set the foot apart to God, meaning that the walk of the priest had to be consecrated—where he went, how he conducted himself, what life he lived, all belonged to God now.

Blood and the Oil

Kingdom of Priests

No that they consecrated the priests, they could perform the task that God gave to Israel, being a kingdom of priests.

Exodus 19:6 ESV

and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

What does it mean to be a kingdom of priests?

A kingdom composed of priests who individually have access to God, and/or a kingdom set apart and possessing collectively, alone among all peoples, the right to approach the altar of God. Israel as a collective is called to be a kingdom of priests. It is God, the true king, who gives the authority to His people. Only Israel has been granted the privilege to approach the true God, and a role of mediation to the other nations. It is a royal company consisting of priests. Israel is designated as royal by one that holds the position of Israel’s King, therefore the people belong to this royal family by definition, Israel is the son of God.

Why is it not enough to be a royal family?

Initially, the image-of-God status was conferred to all humans. There was no Israel in the beginning. Israel arose out of the circumstances of rebellions in Gen 1-11. Israel is the kickstarting of an Edenic vision. So the King kickstarts Israel to be his son collectively through Abraham and therefore, it is sort of Adam and Eve. It is the original plan, the original vision. For God to be faithful to His original vision where he made all humans part of his family, the Israelites have also to serve as mediators to everybody else. Aaron is representing a bigger idea. He is the chief representative of what God really wants. God wants a huge family where everybody is royal and everybody has access to his presence.

Jesus, who is even crowned King of Jews, also has to play the priestly role. His body is the temple. And after the resurrection, the body of Christ, the Church, is collectively the children of God.

1 Peter 2:4–10 ESV

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. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Revelation 5:9–10 ESV

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

We are called to reign with Christ over the nations as priests. To reign with Christ is not something that is only futuristic, we have been given the authority already. How do we reign as a priest? We are supposed to restore Eden on this earth. To spread the gospel and to proclaim the good news of God to every tribe, tong and nation, and to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit (Matt 28:19). We mediate between God and the unbeliever, intercede for them and show and tell them that Christ is in you, that He called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. We make disciples to call everybody back to their original image-of-God status. To do this, you need the blood of Jesus on your ears, hands and feet. So that you can hear the Word of God, do His work appropriately and walk with Him. And you need the anointing of the Spirit, the indwelling Spirit of God that transforms you from the inside out. The blood and the Spirit, nothing more, nothing less.

Summary: These passages describe the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests in Israel, emphasizing the significance of anointing and the act of dedicating oneself to God's service.

Application: This sermon can help Christians understand the importance of consecration in their own lives, prompting them to reflect on their commitment to God and their roles within the church. It encourages believers to view their lives as a calling to serve God and others, emphasizing that every individual has a part to play in God's kingdom work.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that every believer is called to be set apart for God's service, highlighting the process of consecration and the empowerment that comes from God's anointing. It stresses that this dedication is not just a ritual, but a deep commitment to live according to God's purpose.

How this passage could point to Christ: These passages point to Christ, the ultimate High Priest, who was anointed and consecrated to fulfill God’s redemptive plan. Just as Aaron was set apart for service, Christ was anointed by the Holy Spirit to serve humanity through His sacrificial death and resurrection, making all believers a royal priesthood.

Big Idea: Every believer is called to a life of consecration and service, empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God's purpose in the world.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider delving into the significance of the consecration rituals in the Old Testament context using your Logos library. Look for resources discussing the theological implications of anointing and consecration, and explore different translation approaches to Exodus and Leviticus regarding the priestly duties. Investigate commentaries that address the symbolic meaning of sacrifice in these passages and how they foreshadow Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

1. Sacrifice and Symbolism

Exodus 29:19–20

You could explore how the sacrificial offering of the ram and the application of its blood symbolize the purification and consecration necessary for service. Emphasize how this points to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, offering His own blood for our redemption. Reflect on how believers today are called to consecrate their lives by accepting Christ’s atonement and committing to His service. The shedding of blood, an ancient ritual act, is fulfilled in Christ and calls us to a commitment that is both personal and transformative.

2. Anointed for Empowerment

Exodus 29:21

Perhaps delve into the significance of the anointing with blood and oil, representing the spiritual empowerment needed for priestly service. Connect this to the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which empowers believers to carry out God's work today. Highlight how this act of anointing in the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in the New Testament's promise of the Holy Spirit, who equips each believer to fulfill their God-given role within the Church and the world.

3. Complete Commitment

Leviticus 8:22–23

Maybe discuss the laying on of hands and the blood's application to the ear, thumb, and toe of Aaron and his sons, symbolizing complete dedication to God's service. Explain how this prefigures Christ, who fully committed every part of His being to God's mission. Encourage believers to likewise set apart every aspect of their lives for God’s use, listening to, working for, and walking with God in total commitment and service.

4. Community and Calling

Leviticus 8:24

You could focus on the communal aspect of the consecration, where Moses signifies the communal acceptance and acknowledgment of Aaron's role. This can remind believers that their consecration is recognized by and beneficial to the community of faith. Relate this to the Church as a body that collectively supports each member's calling, fostering unity and shared purpose in the mission of God. Express the importance of supporting one another as we are all called to serve.