Sunday School: 7/6/2008

The Priest's Consecration

Exodus 29:1-46
I. Context
Who are the main characters in this passage? What do we know about them?
This passage is, like several before it, a one-way discourse between God and Moses where God is giving specific
instruction to him. We know that Moses has been selected by God to be God's ambassador to the Israelites. This
passage gives us insight into the detailed nature of God's character. Also, we are reminded that God is a
purposeful god; there are reasons he has things done they way he does.
When does this passage take place?

Since this is a continuation of the previous passages, we know that Exodus 19:1 tells us that the israelites arrived at
Sinai exactly three months after leaving Egypt, which would be around the end of May/beginning of June by our
calendar. At the end of Chapter 24, we are told that Moses dwelt with God on the mountain for 40 days. This
section of scripture appears to be during this 40 day period.

Where does this passage take place?

This passage takes place during the 40 days that Moses is dwelling with God on Mount Sinai.

What is going on? (Summary of Events)

Vv. 1-14 describe the bread and other baked goods that should be brought, along with a bull and two rams. It
discusses how the priests are to be washed at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting with water and then dressed in
the priests' clothing. Then the bull should be slaughtered and the blood should be put on the horns of the altar w/
Moses' finger and the rest poured out at the base. As a sin offering, the innards and fat should be burned on the
altar and the hide and flesh outside the camp.
Vv. 15-21 discusses the treatment of the two rams. The first ram should be slaughtered similarly to the bull, but
with the entire body burnt on the altar as a burnt offering (after having the inner parts and legs washed and
separated). The other ram should be slaughtered and some of its blood should be put on the lobes of Aaron and his
sons' right ears, right thumbs and big toes on their right feet. Some of the blood should be sprinkled on the altar
and that blood and the anointing oil should be sprinkled on Aaron and his sons and their garments. This will
consecrate them.
Vv. 22-30 describe how the 2nd ram should be specially handled and offered as wave offerings. Parts should
then be offered as burnt offerings and then specific body parts should be eaten by Aaron and his sons. This was to
be the regular share from the Israelites from their fellowship offerings to the Lord. Aaron's garments shall belong
to his descendants so that they can be anointed and ordained in them and the priest who succeeds him shall wear
them for seven days.
Vv. 31-37 describe how the ram should be cooked in a sacred place and Aaron and his sons should eat it along
w/ the bread in the basket for ordination and consecration but no one else may eat it. If any is left over it shall be
burned. These ceremonies should last seven days.
Vv. 38-41 deals with the law of the continual daily sacrifices and 42-45 discusses how the burnt offerings
should be continued for the generations to come and how God would meet there to speak with Moses and the
Israelites and would then dwell among the the Israelites and be their God. V. 46 says "They will know that I am
the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the the Lord their
God."
II. Interpretation
What principles are illustrated in this passage? What would you consider the theme of this passage?

What do we learn of God's character based upon the types and nature of these instruction? Does this passage point us
toward or connect with Christ? If so, how? (Hint: Read Hebrews 10: 1-14)

What different types of sacrifices are described here and what were there purposes? Why do you think there were
different types of sacrifices required here?

III. Application

This passage's main focus is consecration--setting apart for God's use. Just as Christ was set apart, so to are we set apart
in Christ. Read Hebrews 10:19-25. We are able to draw near to God because of Christ's position as our High Priest.
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