LESSON 4 - Consecration of the Priests

 LESSON 4

Consecration of the Priests



Objective: To understand the spiritual meanings of various ceremonies performed during the consecration of priests in Israel and dedicate ourselves

entirely to the service of God.


Bible Portion: Exodus 29; Leviticus 8

Memory Verse : Romans 12:1, 2

I beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Introduction

A person who is volunteering for any service should dedicate himself to the same. Although all the men in Aaron's family were called for priestly service, they still had to be consecrated for it. There were seven steps in the process of consecration. In the same way, believers in the New Testament age must also go through the experiences of consecration for the priestly service, as they are a royal priesthood. The seven steps associated with the consecration of priests were foreshadows of the spiritual experiences of the consecrated New Testament believer.

The seven steps are as follows:

1. Washing with water Ex. 29:4; Lev. 8:6

2.Putting on the garments Lev. 8:7-9

3.Anointment with oil Lev. 8:12, 13

4.Offering of Sacrifices Lev. 8:14-28

5. Cleansing of members of the body by blood Lev. 8:23, 24; Exodus 29:20

6. Cleansing of garments Lev. 8:30

7. Eating of bread at the door of the Tabernacle Lev. 8:31


1. Washing with water (Ex. 29:4; Lev. 8:6):

On the day of consecration, the priest is brought to the tabernacle and washed with water and cleansed. This is symbolic to the requirement of being born again by the Word of God. Word of God is likened to water in the Bible. The verses, James 1:18 and 1 Pet. 1:23 clearly say that the born again experience is by the Word of God. Jesus taught that a person is born again by the water and the Spirit (John 3:5). Here water denotes the Word of God. Eph. 5:25-27 and Titus 3:5, 6 also refer to the washing by the Word of God. The Holy Spirit convicts a person of his sins through the Word of God and leads him to Jesus Christ. Thus the person is born again. A person who is not born again cannot be a priest who worship God. Even though a person is not born again by baptism, his born again experience is proclaimed through baptism.

2. Putting on the garments (Lev. 8:7-9):

We have seen that the garments of high priest show the divine glory of Jesus Christ. God has called us to His salvation in order that we may also obtain the glory of Christ (2 Thes. 2:14). Therefore all believers must strive to attain the glory implied by the priestly garments. The white coat signifies the garment of righteousness that we receive through Jesus Christ (Isa. 61:10). Let us serve our Lord wearing the girdle of

truth, the mitre (Turban - helmet) of salvation, etc. (Refer the previous

lesson).

3. Anointment with oil (Lev. 8:12,13):

The priest who is cleansed with water and dressed in official garments is then anointed with oil. Oil is poured on his head. Anointing oil signifies Holy Spirit. A person, born again and wears the robe of righteousness, has to be anointed by the Holy Spirit. Priesthood is confirmed by the anointing oil (Exodus 29:7; 30:30). Anointing of the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance (Eph. 1:14). In the Old Testament days, priests, prophets and kings were anointed with oil (Lev 8:12; 1 Sam. 16:13; 1 Kings 19:16). Christ, our High Priest was also anointed by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:16; 4:1; Mark 1:9, 10; Luke 3:21, 22; 4:1; John 1:31-34). Therefore all believers must be anointed with the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2; 8:17).

4. Offering of Sacrifices (Lev. 8:14-28):

A sacrifice of consecration is offered after a sin offering and burnt offering. The ram for the consecration sacrifice is killed after the priests have laid their hands on its head. The fat, the fat tail, all the fat from the entrails (Intestine), the long lobe of the liver and the two kidneys, and the right shoulder of the sacrificial animal are taken along with an unleavened cake, a cake of oiled bread and a wafer and is put in the hands of the priests and waved in the presence of God for a wave offering. The right shoulder represents our strength, the fat from inside represents our innermost being and the other articles represent our material possessions. We must present ourselves as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1, 2).

5. Cleansing of members of the body by blood

(Exodus 29:20; Lev. 8:23, 24):

Blood of the ram is put on the right ear lobe, the thumb of the right hand, and the toe of the right foot. This act points to the dedication of our ears to hear the voice of God, our hands for His work, and our feet to walk in His ways by the blood of Jesus Christ. "Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Rom. 6:13).

6. Cleansing of garments (Lev. 8:30):

The garments of the priests are sanctified by blood and anointing oil. The garments of the saints are their works of righteousness, which must be sanctified by the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit (Rev. 19: 7, 8; 22:14).

7. Eating of bread at the door of the Tabernacle (Lev. 8:31):

The priest stays at the door of the Tabernacle for seven days, during the days of consecration, sustained by the bread from the basket and the flesh of the ram. Believers must remain in God's presence and fellowship with the Lord and His people. The food at the door of the Tabernacle also symbolizes the Lord's Table, which commemorates our Lord's death (Acts 2:42). Moreover, it points to the great feast in the Kingdom of God (Matt. 26:29). Believers must spend all the days of their lives in the temple which is the church and renew their consecration continually.

Are you enjoying the above seven experiences in your lives?

Questions

1. What are the seven steps in the consecration service of the priests?

2. Prove that washing with water signifies being born again.

3. Which New Testament truth does putting on the priestly garments point to?

4. Prove the statement: "Ceremonies in the consecration service show that all believers must be anointed by the Holy Spirit."

5. Describe the following: (a) cleansing sacrifices, (b) cleansing of members of the body, (c) cleansing of garments.

6. How long are the consecration services? Where did the priests stay in those days? And what do they eat?

7. What are the New Testament truths associated with eating food at the door of the Tabernacle?

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