Exodus. In His Presence ~ Part 2 Chapter 28:39-29:25

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1 Exodus In His Presence ~ Part 2 Chapter 28:39-29:25 I found the following on the Jewish 101 site regarding the priesthood and thought you might find it of interest. The kohanim are the descendants of Aaron, chosen by G-d at the time of the incident with the Golden Calf to perform certain sacred work, particularly in connection with the animal sacrifices and the rituals related to the Temple. After the destruction of the Temple, the role of the kohanim diminished significantly in favor of the rabbis; however, we continue to keep track of kohein lineage. DNA research supports their claims: a study published in Nature in June 1997 shows that self-identified kohanim in three countries have common elements in the Y-chromosome, indicating that they all have a common male ancestor. For more information about this and other recent genetic studies, see The Cohanim/DNA Connection at Aish.com. Kohanim are given the first aliyah on Shabbat (i.e., the first opportunity to recite a blessing over the Torah reading), which is considered an honor. They are also required to recite a blessing over the congregation at certain times of the year. The term "Kohein" is the source of the common Jewish surname "Cohen," but not all Cohens are koheins and not all koheins are Cohens. "Katz" is also a common surname for a kohein (it is an acronym of "kohein tzaddik," that is, "righteous priest"), but not all Katzes are koheins. 1 X The Preparation of the High Priest B. Additional Preparation of the Priests Verses C. The Consecration of the Priests Chapter 29: The Ordination of the Priests Verses The Sacrifices for the Priests Verses Introduction: We have been discussing the role of the High Priest. We have talked about the fact Christ functions as High Priest to the Spiritual Priesthood of believers. you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:5, 9 ESV). Part of our discussion has centered on our roles as priests and how we are to consider and function in those roles. We talked about this in the context of being priests and that we are to take that access seriously, as a blessing and a responsibility. Have you considered this issue any further? Have you been exercising your priestly roles over the last week? 1

2 Now we have seen most of the items specifically tied to the High Priest, So, we will pick up on some more general ones worn by all priests this morning. In addition we have talked about the sacrifices we are to offer as priests. We will now take a quick look at the kind of sacrifices offered by and for the priests at the Tabernacle. B. Additional Preparation of the Priests: In this last section Moses completes the record of the garments of the High Priest and he also adds information relating to the priests in general. All of the priests wore a tunic, a coat of linen that was to be checkered. This garment completely covered the figure. It would have had sleeves that would have gone to the wrists and have extended to the feet. Just as an aside, Bush tells us that Tradition records that the old garments of the priests were unraveled and made into wicks for the lamps of the feasts of Tabernacles. 2 Second, tied around the robe was a girdle. It was tied around the body. This appears to have been a long band of material that was wrapped around the body two times. According to Josephus, it was embroidered with flowers and four fingers broad. The next item was the turban. Again all the priests wore one, though some argue the High Priest s, called a Miter, was different from the one worn by the rest. As far as I can tell the only difference here is the addition to the golden plate on the covering to the High Priest. The final item was linen breeches. All items spoke of the dignity of service to the Lord. The importance and dignity is spelled out further as we move into the last verses dealing with the consecration to the priests. This topic is spelled out in more detail in the next chapter. Service was to be dignified. Remember the section that dealt with the ramp built for the priests, in courtyard service at the Brazen Altar, so that their nakedness wouldn t be seen? Well the same dignity is conveyed here. This is why there is the call for breeches which are not part of the priestly garments per se, but just there for the sake of dignity. As we look at many of the Christian programs around, I m not sure dignity would be the operative word. One of the strangest examples of the lack of dignity I heard about, and it maybe apocryphal, was the case of the pastor who had an alligator pit in front of the pulpit. Every Sunday he would demonstrate the battle between the believer and Satan, by preaching while wrestling the alligator. Now that ain t dignified. This doesn t mean we must always be serious, but we must take seriously our relationship with the Lord, the responsibility of being His priests, and the image we convey to the world regarding the Lord and who He is. God concludes this section with the warning that compliance with all the requirements of this section was absolutely mandatory. Failure to obey in one point would lead to death. God requires only one thing of man to avoid death and that is the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord. The acceptance of His death and resurrection for the sin of the individual. Failure to accept Christ mandates death. In fact, all the unsaved are already dead. It is only through the acceptance of Christ that they are brought to life. 2 Bush, George, Notes on Exodus, Klock & Klock Christian Publishers, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, 1981, p ) 438 (

3 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12 ESV) C. The Consecration of the Priests: 1. The Ordination of the Priests: Now we come to an extended section relating to the priests ordination and their benefits and responsibilities as related to the sacrifice. I will not spend a major amount of time on this as it is too complex to benefit from going into great detail. The consecration of the priests involved a number of elements. Included were the sacrifice of animals, the need of shed blood. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22 ESV). To serve God as his priests we must have the shed blood of Christ. The sacrifices at this point would have also been a reminder to these men that though they were to offer sacrifice for the sins of the people, they too were in need of an offering. but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people (Hebrews 9:7 ESV). The animals were to be without blemish, speaking of the sinless nature of Christ. Again, only He, without sin, is capable of dying for the sins of others. Next, we have unleavened bread and cakes speaking of Christ s sinless nature, leaven in Scripture being a picture of the corrupting nature of sin. He began saying to His disciples first of all, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy (Luke 12:1 ESV). As we have said before, Christ is the only one who could satisfy God s judgment, because He was without sin. Only He could die for us. It is especially important to notice the priests didn t consecrate themselves, but were consecrated by someone else. We do not become priests, that is believers, because we chose that role, but because through Christ s work we are called by His Spirit to salvation. But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV). The Priests were prepared for their service by first washing, picturing the cleansing of God, which allows for them to serve Him. he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5 ESV). ) 439 (

4 Next, they were to take on the garments designed by God to represent all the aspects of their work. Then they were anointed with oil. Oil, as we have previously noted, speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me (Isaiah 61:1 ESV). We are incapable of accomplishing anything for God without the presence of the Spirit within our lives. Also the fact the High Priest was anointed tied even more to his symbolic role as a type of Christ the Anointed One. Finally, God noted the priesthood was established in a perpetual state. Now in the form laid out here it only survived as long as the Aaronic priesthood existed. But God s priesthood exists forever and we as believers are part of the priesthood under Christ as our high priest. We are in effect the continuance of God s eternal priesthood, one that was initially primarily physical and is now spiritual. 2. The Sacrifices for the Priests: From the general comments about the ordination we move on to the more specific regarding the sacrifices carried out on this occasion. First the unblemished bull of verse 1 is brought forward. Aaron and his sons place their hands on its head before it is sacrificed. Do you remember what this act represents? With the slaughter of the animal their sins are ritually taken care of as they enter into their service. With the blood sprinkled on the altar, it too is dedicated into service. Keep in mind though they would continually have to offer sacrifice for their own sins, just as they did for the nation at large. The reason the animal was burned probably relates to the fact that in the pagan cultures, the priests would try to read the inner parts of the animal to foretell the future. God s guide lines prevented this action from occurring. The rest of the animal was burned outside the camp to show that sin has no place in midst of those who would follow after Him. In like manner one of the rams was offered up. Where as the bull was offered as a sin offering, this one should be identified as a burnt offering. By the way, you would have to go Leviticus to have a complete understanding of the sacrificial system. The offering here speaks of the total dedication of the priests to the service of the Lord. The second ram was then offered up as a peace offering or the ram for ordination. We can see the blood used in dedication as it is placed on the ear, thumb and the foot. This speaks of the dedication of the priests. First the ear is dedicated, the center of hearing speaking of understanding and willing to the service of the Lord, being open to His word. The second dedication is of the hands speaking to the near service of the Lord and the foot is dedicated to the distant service of the Lord. The total person, mind and body were dedicated to the service and obedience of God. It is clear if we desire to really serve the Lord, our dedication must be total. Our entire life must belong to Him. The garments of the priests were also sprinkled so complete the picture of the dedication of the priests in the role of service. The garments themselves were a badge of office and therefore also had to be dedicated. ) 440 (

5 Finally, we see the wave offering. The bread and part of the ram was placed by Moses into the hands of the priests to be waved before the Lord. This made the offering belong in part to them. They were directly involved with the service of God. The priests do not appear empty handed before God, but have something to offer up to Him. Part of service to God is fellowship with Him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me (John 17:3, 21 ESV). The call for us is then one of service, of dedication, of going out for the Lord to a world around us. Remember that we too are priests. God has provided to the body those needed to serve to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12 ESV). For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead (Ephesians 2:8 10; James 2:14, 26 ESV). ) 441 (

6 Exodus In His Presence ~ Part 2 Chapter 28:39-29:25 X The Preparation of the High Priest B. Additional Preparation of the Priests Verses C. The Consecration of the Priests Chapter 29: The Ordination of the Priests Verses The Sacrifices for the Priests Verses Introduction: (1 Peter 2:5, 9) B. Additional Preparation of the Priests: (Acts 4:12) C. The Consecration of the Priests: 1. The Ordination of the Priests: (Hebrews 9:22, 7; Luke 12:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Titus 3:5; Isaiah 61:1)

7 2. The Sacrifices for the Priests: (John 17:3, 21) Conclusion: (Ephesians 4:12; Ephesians 2:8 10; James 2:14, 26) Personal Application: Thinking about your daily walk how can you integrate your priestly role more completely into your everyday tasks? How can this impact your testimony? Prayer for the Week: Lord, may I walk in Your ways, bring You glory and blessings to myself. In Christ s name, amen.