Take one of the rams, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head. Sermons
I. TO THE PRIESTHOOD, IN THE SIMPLEST IDEA OF IT (vers. 4-10). Aaron and his sons were to be - 1. Washed with water - symbol of purification from all uncleanness (ver. 4). 2. Clothed with the holy garments - which robing was the real installation. Aaron was to be first robed (vers. 6, 7), afterwards his sons (vers. 8, 9). 3. Anointed - symbol of the abundant communication of Divine influences (ver. 7). The anointing took place immediately after investiture. See exposition. Nothing could be simpler than these introductory ceremonies, which yet, in connection with the symbolism of the dress, meant a great deal. They "filled the hand" of the priest with his office (ver. 9), declared the need of holiness in the discharge of his duties, and conveyed to him the gifts of heavenly grace necessary fir their right performance. So Christ "glorified not himself to be made an high priest" (Hebrews 5:5), but was formally installed in his office by the Father; was "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26); and is endued above measure with the Spirit (John 3:34). II. TO THE PRIESTHOOD, AS HELD BY SINFUL MEN (vers. 10-15). The direct installation to the priesthood is followed by ceremonies having reference to the personal sinfulness of the holders of the office. The tact could not be overlooked that the law was making men priests that had infirmity (Hebrews 7:28). Themselves sinful, Aaron and his sons were not as yet fit to transact with God as mediators for others. The true High Priest, having no sin, laboured under no disqualification of this kind (Hebrews 7:27); but it was different with priests "taken from among men" (Hebrews 5:1). They needed to have sacrifices offered for themselves. "This, therefore, was what was next provided; and through an entire series of sacrifices and offerings they were conducted as from the depths of guilt and condemnation to what indicated their possession of a state "of blessed peace and most friendly intercourse with God" (Fairbairn). The sacrifices were three - a sin-offering (vers. 10-15); a burnt-offering (vers. 15-19); and a peace-offering (vers. 19-22); and these sacrifices, with the accompanying ceremonies, were to be repeated on seven successive days (ver. 35). The altar, as defiled by the sin of those officiating at it, was likewise to be cleansed by the blood of the sin-offering (vers. 36, 37). This is the first appearance of the sin-offering in the law. III. TO QUALIFICATIONS, DUTIES, AND EMOLUMENTS (vers. 15-38). The sin-offering had especially to do with the removal of guilt. The second sacrifice - the burnt-offering - denoted the duty of unconditional and entire surrender to Jehovah. The third - "the ram of consecration" (ver. 22) - was that by which the newly-made priests were wholly put into the functions and rights of their office. 1. The ram's blood was significantly applied to different members of the person (ver. 20). It was put upon the tip of the right eat', upon the thumb of the right hand, and upon the great toe of the right foot, of Aaron and of his sons. This denoted, of course, entire dedication of the person to God's service, in hearing, in acting, and in the daily walk. It beautifully symbolises, not only the perfect consecration of him whose meat it was to do his Father's will (John 4:34), but the completeness of devotion which ought to characterise each of his disciples, who also are priests to God. 2. The priests were sprinkled with the ram's blood and oil mingled (ver. 21). This symbolised the new life of God, in which the priest was "henceforth to move and have his being, in conjunction with the Spirit, on whose softening, penetrating, invigorating influence all powers and movements of that Divine life depend" (Fairbairn). 3. The portions of the sacrifice which belonged to God, with a loaf, cake, and wafer, of the meat offering - symbolic of fruitfulness in good works - were next to be placed on the priests' hands, and waved before the Lord (ver. 24). This signified, (1) "The conveyal of the function which belongs to the priest to offer the fat pieces of God's altar; and (2) the infeoffment of the priests with the gilt, which they receive in future for their service, but which they must now give over to Jehovah, because they are not yet fully dedicated, and therefore cannot yet themselves act as priests" (Oehler). The conclusion of the ceremony was a sacrificial meal, indicative of restored fellowship, and happy communion with God (vers. 31-35). Vers. 29, 30, provide for the handing down of the high priest's office to Aaron's sons. The priesthood continued till superseded by that of the greater Priest "after the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 7.). - J.O.
The Tabernacle of the congregation. The Tabernacle of the congregation — or, rather, tent of meeting — was the place where God's presence was manifested. This was granted to the people of Israel, first in the pillar of fire and cloud, then in the Tabernacle and Temple. And now for us in Jesus Christ there is "God manifested in the flesh."I. IN AND THROUGH CHRIST GOD IS REVEALED. II. THROUGH HIM AND BY HIM THE LORD GOD IS APPROACHED. 1. We have the right of approach through Jesus Christ. His life embodied a perfect righteousness. His death is the accepted sacrifice. 2. We have not only the right of approach, but also the power to approach, sharing the Spirit of the Divine Redeemer; for the final result and crowning proof of our Lord's exaltation was this — He sent the Comforter. (J. Aldis.) People Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, MosesPlaces Egypt, Mount SinaiTopics Aaron, Hands, Laid, Lay, Ram, Rams, Sheep, SonsOutline 1. The sacrifice and ceremonies of consecrating the priests and the altar38. The continual burnt offerings 45. God's promise to dwell among the children of Israel Dictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 29:15Library The Copies of Things in the Heavens'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 4. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Eighth Day. Holiness and Indwelling. Thirtieth Day. The Unction from the Holy One. Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory. That the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action. Twenty-Fourth Day. Holiness and Cleansing. Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;' Man's Inability to Keep the Moral Law John's First Testimony to Jesus. The Covenant of Works Exodus Links Exodus 29:15 NIVExodus 29:15 NLT Exodus 29:15 ESV Exodus 29:15 NASB Exodus 29:15 KJV Exodus 29:15 Bible Apps Exodus 29:15 Parallel Exodus 29:15 Biblia Paralela Exodus 29:15 Chinese Bible Exodus 29:15 French Bible Exodus 29:15 German Bible Exodus 29:15 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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