LESSON 32
THE CONSECRATION OF THE PRIESTS
By E. L. Bynum, Pastor
Memory Verse: Ex. 29:25————Lesson: Ex. 29:1-25
The consecration of the priests and its connection with the offerings is recorded in Leviticus in greater detail. Here we have the basic instructions given. All believers are priests. Rev. 1:5-6
I. OFFERINGS TO HALLOW THE PRIESTS. v. 1
“Hallow” is from the Hebrew word “qadash” and means to make, pronounce or observe clean ceremonially or morally. Used first in Ex. 20:11, “…the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”
A. One Young Bullock & Two Rams. v. 1. Lev. 8:2
1. To prepare the priests to minister.
2. These must have no blemish. I Pet. 1:19, But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
B. The Bread, Cakes, Oil & Wafers. v. 2-3
1. Leaven is a type of sin. Matt. 16:6, 12, Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
2. Tempered with oil (Mingled or overflowed with.)
3. Anointed with oil. (Holy Spirit)
II. THE HIGH PRIEST AND HIS SONS. v. 4-9
A. The Washing Of The Priests. v. 4
1. Aaron considered alone is a type of Christ and clean. Jesus needed no washing, cleansing, but He submitted to baptism. Heb. 7:26-28, For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
2. Water is symbolic of the Word of God. Titus 3:5, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Eph. 5:25-27, Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
3. The consecration of the priest meant entire dedication to his office. Rom. 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
4. Aaron in association with his sons typify believers.
a. Only the saved can occupy the place of priests.
b. Begotten and cleansed by the Word. James 1:18, Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. I Pet. 1:23, Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
B. The Installation Of The Priests. v. 5-9
1. The installation of Aaron. v. 5-7; Lev. 8:1-12.
a. Aaron alone typifies Christ …with his sons, the priestly family in service to God. He was consecrated first.
b. Aaron separated to serve. Heb. 7:26.
c. Aaron was anointed with oil, a type of the Holy Spirit, after being arrayed and before service. v.7. Matt. 3:13-17, Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2. The installation of Aaron’s sons. v.8-9.
a. It was for a “perpetual” service. v.9. So also should believers live a consecrated life before our Lord Jesus and the world. Matt. 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
b. The priest’s office worthy of their consecration and dedication.
3. Notice the Divine order in the installation process. They were born (v. 4); bathed (v. 4); clothed (v. 5); crowned (v. 6); anointed (v. 7); and consecrated (v. 9).
III. THE SACRIFICE OF THE SIN OFFERING. v. 10-14
A. A Bullock is Presented. v. 10
1. The sin offering needed because they were sinners. v. 14
2. Typifies Christ bearing the sins of is own. I Pet. 2:24, Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
3. The priests places their hands on the head of the sacrifice. (This represented their identification with the sacrifice.)
4. The sacrifice represents Aaron and his sons. II Cor. 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
B. The Bullock Sacrificed. v. 11
1. Death is the penalty of sin. Rom. 6:23, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. James 1:15, Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
2. The sacrifice took the place of Aaron and his sons. Isa. 53:5-6, But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
C. The Blood Applied. v. 12
1. The blood upon the horns. (Horns represent power.)
a. Represents the power of an endless life. Heb. 7:15-16, And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
b. The life is in the blood. Lev. 17:11-14
2. The life of the sacrifice was offered instead of Aaron and his sons.
D. The Burning Of The Inwards And Fat. v. 13
1. Typifies judgment upon sin.
2. Also that Christ on the cross was complete in obedience. Phil. 2:8.
E. The Burning Of The Flesh. v. 14
1. It was without the gate. Heb. 13:11-12; Isa. 53:3-4.
2. The guilt of Aaron and his sons upon the sacrifice. I Pet. 3:18
IV. THE BURNT OFFERINGS. v. 15-18; v. 1
A. Identification With The Ram Offering. v. 15
B. Preparation Of The First Ram. v. 16-17
1. The blood here was to be sprinkled. v.16
2. Life presented to God.
3. The entire sacrifice is offered. v.17
C. The Offering A Sweet Savour. v. 18. Eph. 5:2; II Cor. 2:15
V. THE RAM OF CONSECRATION. v. 19-25, v. 1
A. Once Again Identification. v. 19.
B. The Priests Consecration. v. 20-21
1. Completely set apart for service. II Cor. 5:17, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. I Cor. 6:17, But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
God’s people are not called to cleanse Sodom, but to come out of her.
2. The ear for attention for hearing. Heb. 4:12, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
a. Our hearing does not belong to ourselves. Matt. 3:19; Rev. 2:7, He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
b. It is dangerous to listen to the wrong things. Mark 4:24, …Take heed what ye hear…. Luke 8:18, Take heed therefore how ye hear….
3. The hand set apart for working. I Chron. 29:5, The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?
4. The foot set apart for walking. Col. 1:10, That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.
a. As a separated consecrated people we are glorify Christ in all that we do. Gal. 6:14, But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
b. We are separated by the gospel and the call of the Spirit. Eph. 2:10, For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
5. Note the steps taken in preparing the priests.
a. Wash with water. v. 4
b. Sprinkle with blood. v. 20
c. Anoint with oil. v.21. Sealed.
C. The Wave Offering. v. 22-25
1. A part of the ram, bread, cake, wafer. v. 23. A consecration of every portion typifying the devotion of Christ’s life.
2. It was placed in the hands of Aaron and his sons. v. 24.
3. It was in turn to be presented and received as a burnt offering, a sweet smelling savour. v. 25
—by E. L. Bynum
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Of what is the water a type?
2. Of whom is Aaron a type when taken alone?
3. What does the laying on of hands represent?
4. What does the sin offering being burned without the camp represent?
5. What was the sin offering?
6. What was the offering of consecration?