02/03/2024 Daily Devotion – The consecration of Aaron and his sons

“Take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head. Slaughter it, take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then sprinkle blood against the altar on all sides. And take some of the blood on the altar and some of the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. Then he and his sons and their garments will be consecrated.” (Exodus 29:19-21 NIV84)

I want you to notice a couple things about the consecration of Aaron and his sons. Before they could begin their service before God in the tabernacle, they needed to go through an extensive consecration process. They had to place their hands on the head of the ram before it was sacrificed to the Lord. By placing their hands upon the animal they were transferring their sinfulness and frailty to the animal. The animal’s death was a sacrificial substitute to protect their lives. The blood was placed upon the ear, thumb and big toe of each of them to show that they were cleansed and protected by the sacrifice. The blood was sprinkled on their garments as a cleansing process as well.

The shedding of blood and the death of the ram were required for the high priest to serve the Lord in His tabernacle. The entire sacrificial system was based upon the vicarious sacrificial death of an animal to atone for the sins of God’s people. Not only did the average Israelite need to offer such sacrifices, so did the spiritual leaders. This sacrificial system became obsolete with the death and resurrection of Jesus. His atoning sacrifice completely satisfied the justice of God. Paul said, “God made Him who had no sin, to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God.” As believers in Jesus Christ, we, too, are consecrated to the Lord.

May we serve Him with joy and gladness!

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church

About the author: Tom Donnelly