Exodus 29:1-9 – Set apart to serve God

What we are about to learn is how the priestly ordination of Aaron and his sons should take place. God instructed Moses to consecrate them so that they could be set apart as a representative of the people before God. Their calling was to perform religious rites and ceremonies on the people’s behalf. As we have indicated earlier, as priests they would represent the people before God when they come into God’s presence in the Tabernacle. And when they emerge from God’s presence and come before the people, they would represent God, by giving instruction and guidance on what they were supposed to do. Their roles as a priest were critical as the entire nation depended on their responsibility of entering God’s presence to offer prayer and sacrifices. To be effective, they had to be found holy and be consecrated for the task. So having chosen Aaron and his sons as priests, God instructed Moses to consecrate them for the duties as priests.

The ritual of consecrating them was elaborate. In verses 1-3, God told them to gather whatever was needed for the consecration. The preparation includes taking “…one young bull and two rams without blemish, and unleavened bread and unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil; …make them of fine wheat flour.” Moses was to “…put them in one basket, and present them in the basket along with the bull and the two rams.” The animals to be sacrificed must be in the prime of their life and without blemish. Then Aaron and his sons would be brought to the doorway of the Tabernacle and be washed. They were to be thoroughly washed with water from their heads to their toes. This cleansing was a symbol of spiritual purification. Without the cleansing, they were not allowed into the Holy Place or to touch any of the articles in it.

Once they were cleansed, they would be dressed in the garment that God had instructed Moses to make. We saw each piece described in Exodus 28. So Moses was to “take the garments, and put on Aaron the tunic and the robe of the ephod and the ephod and the breast-piece, and gird him with the skilfully woven band of the ephod; and you shall set the turban on his head and put the holy crown on the turban.” Being called to the role of the high priest, Aaron’s ordination was more elaborate. Anointing oil was poured over him from the head and allowed to cascade down to his beard. This is a symbol of the Holy Spirit coming upon the priest. Only Aaron, the high priest was ordained in such a fashion. His sons would be brought before Moses who would then “put tunics on them.” Then sashes would be tied on Aaron and his sons. Their calling would be an everlasting ordination.

The whole purpose for the ordination of the priests was to set them apart for the service of God. To serve God, they had to be cleansed and set apart. We believers through Christ have now become God’s holy priests. Romans 12:1 tells us to present our total being to God as a holy and acceptable sacrifice. Like the priests, we have been cleansed with the precious blood of the Christ and anointed with the Holy Spirit of God. We must remain set apart and honorably serve Him all the days of our life. Yes, that we must do! To Him be the honor!