LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Consecration of Priests
The consecration of the priests was a very solemn ritual, which signified the setting apart of men for the exclusive service of God. Each of the steps of this rite of consecration has, like everything in the Old Testament, a spiritual significance for New Testament Christians.
First the priests were washed and clothed in their priestly garments at the door of the tabernacle; they were anointed with the anointing oil, and then the sacrifices began. Each one of them had a very important significance.
The first was that of a calf, which was a sin offering (Ex. 29:14). No one can approach to serve God without having this problem solved. We are not dealing here with sins as sinful deeds, but with sin as the root of the problem. When Christ died, we were favored with the forgiveness of sins, but also with the elimination of the sinful "I" (Rom. 6). Christ died and drew all his own to himself for an inclusive death (Jn. 12:32), which would solve the problem of both sins and sin. This is the heritage of every priest of Christ.
Next, a ram was offered as a "burnt offering of a sweet savor", a "burnt offering to the Lord" (v. 18). This sacrifice was entirely for God, for God's satisfaction. This means that first we are freed from the problem of sin, and then we are given as burnt offerings for the entire satisfaction of God, for the service of God.
Thirdly, a second ram was offered, that of the consecration itself. From the blood of this ram the vestments were sprinkled, and it was placed on the lobe of the right ear, on the thumb of the right hand and of the right foot of each priest. Then part of the animal was taken, and rocked before God, together with two cakes and a pastry from the basket of unleavened bread. All of it was then burned on the altar. This was the "burnt offering" to God (v. 25).
The other pieces of the animal belonged to the priests, who ate of them. Not only does the blood of Christ (the precious Victim) operate on our behalf to solve the problem of sin, but His flesh, that is, His very life, is the food of every believer (Jn. 6:53-56). Just as the blood of the Passover Lamb was placed on the lintel of the door, but the flesh was to be eaten inside the house (Ex. 12). Thus, all of Christ, his blood and flesh, are God's perfect provision for the believer.
All this speaks to us of the value that every Christian has for God, for the Lord has provided all the necessary resources for the believer to be His priest. The ultimate goal is not only to save him, but to draw him closer to Himself for His holy service.