Sinai instructions – Priestly Ordination

• Review

• The clothing of the priests and High priest was holy – “set apart.” Why was this so significant for these men?

• What were the Urim and Thummim for?

• What piece of clothing sticks out in your mind and why?

• For what reason was the clothing such an ad nauseum thing?

2Instructions for Sacrifice in Ordination

• The Bull sacrifice. Exodus 29:10-14
  • The bull’s blood was to be put on the horns of the altar with the finger.
• For atonement. Lev.16:18
• To purify the altar. Lev.8:15
  • The remaining entrails were to be burned.
  • The flesh and remainders of the animal was destroyed by fire.
  • “Outside the camp” begins here to be used to indicate separation.
  • All refuse is thrown outside the camp.
  • See: Heb.13:11-13
  • Jesus was cast outside the camp with the refuse.
  • The Ram Sacrifice.
  • There were 2 rams involved in the ordination process.
• The first ram was to be killed. Exodus 29:15-18
  • The blood of the ram was to be “tossed all around.”
  • The bull was killed and parts were burned up, the ram was killed and the entire body was incinerated.
  • This kind of offering was “a soothing aroma” to the Lord.
  • This is an indication of God’s acceptance of the sacrifice. (Compare: Romans 12:1)
• The second ram was without blemish – it is the ram of consecration. Exodus 29:19-25
  • Aaron was first dabbed with blood on his right earlobe, his right thumb, and his right foot.
  • After Aaron, then his sons were dabbed with blood.
  • Blood was splattered on the garments of the High Priest and priests.

  • What is the significance of all the blood for consecration?

3Instructions for Care of the Priests

• The breast piece of the second ram (consecrated ram) was to be saved as food for the officiating minister at the sacrifice. Exodus 29:26
• The wave offering was given to the officiating priest. Exodus 29:27-28
• Clothing was passed down from priest to priest. Exodus 29:29-30
  • The holy clothing passed down signified a handing on of the priesthood.
  • Those who serve the Lord as administrators among His people must be capable and acceptable to the Lord.
• The ritual is concluded with a meal. Exodus 29:31-34
  • The meal makes the pack binding forever.
  • The holy sacrifice was consumed by the holy workers.
  • No food was left over until morning – this mirrored the Passover.
  • Notice the significance with this meal and the Communion meal. Both are meals that celebrate a covenant that is binding forever.
• Preparation for the meal would last 7 days: 7 days of consecration. Exodus 29:35-37

4The Value of Priests

• Priests were invaluable: They conducted the offerings that allowed God’s presence among His people!
• Blood sacrifices were to be 2 times daily. Exodus 29:38-41
• The location of the sacrifices was significant. Exodus 29:42-44
  • God would “meet” His people at the entrance of the tent.
  • The doorway of the tent would be where the sin was left and covered by the blood of the sacrifice. This was necessary before anyone came any further before God’s presence.
• God reiterates His covenant to be with His people. Exodus 29:45-46
  • God would “dwell” with His people.
  • “I brought them out…”
  • God signs the covenant with final line… “I am Yahweh their God.”
  • Some things we missed
• The altar of incense. Exodus 30:1-12
• Numbering the Hebrews and instituting a tithe. This was a set amount and rich or poor; everyone was required to pay. Exodus 30:13-15
• The laver of bronze was for holy cleansing before leading any service. Exodus 30:17-21
• All things in the tabernacle would be anointed with special oil. Exodus 30:26-29
• All persons who served in the divine actions of the tabernacle were also anointed and set apart. Exodus 30:30-33
  • All things regarding instructions for the tabernacle end with a reiteration of the importance of the Sabbath observation. (READ: Exodus 31:12-18)
  • "The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" (Hebrews 9:13-14, NIV)