WS Chronicle

By Elder Richard Wayne Wood

Scriptures: Exodus 29:1-9, 35-37 

By the end of this lesson, we will:  

*Define “ordination” in the sense of “consecration”; 

*Compare and contrast ordination/consecration in the Old Testament with its value and practice in the New Testament;   

*Make a plan to serve as a member of the Christian’s holy and royal priesthood per 1 Peter 2:5,9. 

Background: In Exodus 28, God gave instructions to Moses to consecrate “Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons” (verse 1). Everything was dictated in detail by God himself to Moses. Aaron and his sons were uniquely set apart (consecrated) to serve as priests among the people of God. They played a mediator function between the people and God in that they represented the people before God.  

Like Aaron and his sons, Jesus is appointed by God to office of priest. His once-for-all sacrifice finally and forever accomplished the work of the priesthood. Now those who worship God do so, not by means of human priesthood and animal sacrifice, but through faith in Jesus, the One who was both the great high priest and the perfect Lamb of God.  

Lesson: Preparing the Offering (Exodus 29:1-3). “And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them to minister unto me in the priest’s office:” (verse 1a.). The word hallow also means sanctify or set them aside or make holy. “… Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish, and unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil; of wheaten flour shalt thou make them. And thou shalt put them into a basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bullock and the two rams” (verses 1b.-3). Verses 1-3 lists the material needed for the ordination – there had to be shedding sacrificial blood and bread for fellowship with God.   

Preparing the Ordinands (verses 4-9). “And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and thou shalt wash them with water” (verse 4). All priests are washed as the first stage in the ritual process – signifying that those must be clean who bear the vessels of the LORD. Aaron and his sons did not wash themselves, they received washing, publicly for all to see, at “the door of the tabernacle of meeting.” One must be humbled to serve God. This public cleansing was, however, a one-time thing – from then on, they only needed to wash their hands and their feet. In verses 5-9 they are clothed with holy garments, the second step in their ordination – not their own clothes, but those given by God. Note that there is a distinction from high priest (Aaron) robes (verses 5-7) and the other priests (his sons) (verses 8-9). Aaron is also the only one mentioned for being anointed with oil. 

Requiring a Week (verses 35-37). “And thus, shalt thou do unto Aaron, and his sons, according to all things which I have commanded thee: seven days shalt thou consecrate them” (verse 35). God emphasizes that the priestly ordination ritual last seven days, with washing, robing, and sacrifice being repeated on each of the days. The consecration would not be completed until the end of the seventh day. The seven-day period was seen to put solemnity upon their admission, a distance between their former state and their priestly state and obliged them to have time to think and consider the weight and seriousness of the office they were entering, “a sin offering for atonement…  an atonement for the altar and sanctify it; and it shall be holy” (verses 36-37). There was great concern for those serving God to have their sins pardoned – and to have continual penitence. The altar was sanctified for sacred use and made so holy as to sanctify the gifts that were made upon it. In the New Testament Christ is our altar; for our sakes He sanctified Himself that we and our “reasonable service” might be sanctified and recommended to God. (Standard Lesson Commentary 2024-2025, The MacArthur Study Bible, The Jewish Study Bible, Experiencing God Bible, The Jesus Bible, The New Interpreters Study Bible, Ellicott’s Bible Commentary and The Oxford Bible Commentary).  

For Your Consideration: As we are now “kings and priests” (Revelation 1:6), what is the connection between baptism and Aaron’s washing with water? Why do you think Aaron was anointed with oil poured over his head, but his sons were only sprinkled? Does God want you to be clean before you serve Him?  

Application: Read 1 Peter 2:5,9 then make a plan to serve as a member of the Christian’s holy and royal priesthood – or maybe you already have! 

FYI: Forsyth County Sunday School Union meets in person every third Sunday, 1:30 p.m., at a member church. Contact your Sunday School superintendent for more information.