Ordination and Consecration: The Path to Divine Service

This chapter underscores the elaborate nature of devotion to God, which requires purity, sacrifice, and adherence to divine instructions. God's detailed guidelines for the consecration of Aaron and his sons underscore His holy standard and our call to live in purity and reverence before Him. Amid the detailed rituals, God's promise to dwell among His people serves as a powerful reminder of His love, grace, and willingness to commune with us.

Consecration Preparations (Verses 1-3)

The chapter commences with the necessary preparations for the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests. A young bull, two rams without blemish, and unleavened bread items made from fine wheat flour are prescribed.

Ritual of Cleansing and Dressing (Verses 4-9)

Aaron and his sons are brought to the Tent of Meeting, washed, and clothed in their holy garments. They are anointed with oil, symbolizing their ordination and the permanence of their priestly status.

Sacrificial Rituals (Verses 10-25)

Various sacrificial rituals involving the bull and the rams are detailed. The blood and fat of these animals are utilized in specific ways to consecrate the altar. Certain parts of the sacrifices are burnt on the altar as pleasing aromas to the LORD.

Priestly Portions and Sacred Meals (Verses 26-34)

Aaron and his sons are instructed to consume the meat of the sacrifices and the bread within the Tent of Meeting, signifying their acceptance into the priesthood.

Ordination and Consecration Continuation (Verses 35-37)

The process of ordination is to take seven days, with a daily sacrifice of a bull for atonement. The altar is anointed and consecrated.

Perpetual Offerings (Verses 38-42)

Daily offerings of lambs, one in the morning and another at twilight, are commanded. These sacrifices symbolize the continual devotion to God.

God's Presence (Verses 43-46)

God promises His presence with the Israelites, consecrating the Tent of Meeting, the altar, Aaron, and his sons. God reaffirms He is their God, recalling their liberation from Egypt and His intention to dwell among them.

This chapter underscores the detailed process of consecration and ordination of Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. It is a vivid testament of the meticulous instructions for sacrificial offerings, which symbolizes atonement, purity, and consecration. It reaffirms God's promise of His presence among His people.

1. Consecration and Ordination
2. Ritual Sacrifice
3. Symbolism of Holiness
4. God's Presence among His People
5. Atonement and Purity1. The Priestly Garments
2. Ritual Sacrifices
3. Priestly Ordination
4. Atonement Process
5. Dwelling of God with the Israelites1. Aaron
2. Aaron's sons1. Tent of Meeting
2. Altar

1. How does the detailed nature of the ordination process reflect the holiness of God?

2. How does the ritual of washing before putting on the holy garments symbolize in the context of modern-day Christian life?

3. What role does sacrifice play in the process of consecration and ordination?

4. How can the daily offerings of lambs symbolize our devotion to God today?

5. In what ways can the notion of God dwelling among His people be applied in the current age?

6. Discuss the significance of anointing oil in the consecration process and its relevance today.

7. In light of this passage, how would you define atonement?

8. How does the specific use of blood in these rituals deepen your understanding of Christ's sacrifice?

9. Why was it necessary to consecrate the altar?

10. Discuss the significance of the phrase, "I am the LORD their God" in today's context.

11. How can Christians symbolically participate in the concept of "eating in a holy place" today?

12. How might you interpret the seven days of ordination in the context of God's creation of the world?

13. Why was it important for Aaron and his sons to physically touch the animals during the sacrificial process?

14. What lessons can Christians learn from the continual offerings commanded by God?

15. Why do you think God asked for the sacrifices to be without blemish?

16. What are the practical implications of Aaron's sons wearing the "holy garments" after him?

17. What is the symbolism of the unleavened bread in the ordination ceremony and in the Christian life today?

18. How can the concept of wearing holy garments be translated into our daily lives?

19. Why do you think God required the specific parts of the animals (like the fat, entrails, etc.) to be used in the way they were?

20. How does the strict adherence to these ancient instructions challenge your commitment to obey God's Word today?