Lesson 4

THE CONSECRATION OF THE PRIESTS 

Reading: Exo. 29: Lev. 8

Memory Verses: Rom. 12: 1-2 

Theme: To study the spiritual meaning of various ceremonies performed during the consecration of Israeli priests and offer ourselves totally in the presence of God.

Introduction:  A person who is volunteering for any service should dedicate himself to the same. Although all the sons in Aarons family were called for priestly service, they still had to be consecrated for it. Seven steps were required for consecration. In a similar way, believers who are called to be priests in the New Testament age must also go through the experiences of consecration for the priestly service. The seven steps associated with the consecration priests were shadows of the spiritual experiences of a consecrated believer.  

1. Washing with water (Exo. 29:4; Lev 8:6)

Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water. (Exodus 29:4)


Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water. (Leviticus 8:6)

On the day of consecration the priest is brought to the Tabernacle and washed with water and cleansed. This points to the requirement of being born again by the Word of God. Word of God is compared to water in the Bible.

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. (James 1:18)

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Peter 1:23)

Above stated verses clearly, say the rebirth is by the Word of God. Jesus taught that a person is born again by the water and the Spirit.

 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5)

Here water refers to the Word of God. Holy Spirit convicts a person of his sins through the Word of God and leads him to Jesus Christ. thus the person is born again. A person who is not born again cannot be a priest and worship God. Although a person is not born again by baptism, his born-again experience is proclaimed through baptism.

2. Putting on the garments (Lev. 8: 7-9)

He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him. He also fastened the ephod with a decorative waistband, which he tied around him. 8 He placed the breastpiece on him and put the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece. (Leviticus 8:7,8)


We have seen that the garment of the high priest shows the divine glory of Jesus Christ. God has called us to HIs salvation in order that we may also receive the glory of Christ.

He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2: 14)

Therefore all believers must strive to attain the glory represented by the high priestly garments. The white coat signifies the garment of righteousness that we receive through Jesus Christ. Let us serve our Lord wearing the girdle of truth, the mitre of salvation ect...


3.Anointment with oil (Lev. 8:12,13)

The priest who is cleansed with water and dressed in official garments is then anointed with oil. Oil is poured on his head. Anointing oil represents Holy Spirit. A child of God who is born again and given the robe of righteousness has to be anointed by the Holy Spirit. The priesthood is confirmed only by the anointing oil. 

Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head. (Exodus 29:7)

Anointing of the Holy Spirit is the earnest for our inheritance.

When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,  who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:14)

In the Old Testament days priests, prophets, and kings used to be anointed with oil. Christ our High priest was also anointed by the Holy Spirit. Therefore all believers must also be anointed with the Holy Spirit.

4.An offering of sacrifices (Lev. 8:14 -28)

A sacrifice of consecration is offered after a sin offering and a burnt offering. The fat portions from inside and the right thigh of the sacrificial animal, an unleavened cake, a cake of oiled bread and a wafer are kept in the hands of priests and waved in the presence of God. The right thigh represents our strength, the fat from inside represents our innermost being and the other articles represent our material possessions. We have to present ourselves totally as a living sacrifice.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12: 1,2)

5. Cleansing of members of the body by blood (Lev 8: 23,24)

Blood of the ram is put on the tip of the right ear and the thumb of the right hand. This act points to the dedication of our ears to hear the voice of God and our hands for His work by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.  (Romans 6: 13)

6. Cleansing of the garments (Lev 8: 30)

Garments of the priest are sanctified by the blood and anointing oil. Garments of the saints are their works of righteousness. These must also be sanctified by the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.).  (Revelation 19: 7,8)

7. Eating bread at the door of the Tabernacle (Lev 8: 31)

The priest stays at the door of the Tabernacle for seven days sustained by bread from the basket and the flesh of the ram. Believers must remain in the presence of God and be in fellowship with the Lords and his people. The food at the door of the Tabernacle also points Lord's Table which commemorates our Lord's death.

 Moreover, it points to the great feast in the kingdom of God.

Believers must spend all the days of their lives in the temple which is the church and renew their consecration continually.