Exodus: The Lord and His PilgrimsSample

The making of a priest

It is not wearing priestly robes (vv. 4–9) that makes Aaron and his sons priests: the robes are a declaration of intent and a statement of the ideal. What actually inducts them into the priestly office is the regular complement of sacrifices – the sin-offering (vv. 10–14) for atonement and forgiveness (cf. Lev. 5:13); the burnt offering (vv. 15–18) of acceptance and atonement (cf. Lev. 1:4), holding nothing back from God (Gen. 22:8, 12); and the ‘consecration’ or peace offering (vv. 19–22, 26–27). 

In each case the worshipper is required to lay his hand on the head of the sacrificial animal (vv. 10, 15, 19). This is an act of identification. On the Day of Atonement all the sins of Israel pass to the goat by the laying on of hands (Lev. 16:21–22). A deep substitution is effected. The old, sinful Israel goes to the wilderness, never to be seen again; the new forgiven Israel remains. Laying on his hand, the offerer in effect is saying, ‘This is I – dying as the wages of sin, holding nothing back from God, concentrating myself wholly to him.’ It is our position when we can sing, ‘My faith would lay her hand on that dear head of thine while, like a penitent, I stand and there confess my sin.’ (Isaac Watts, ‘Not all the blood of beasts’.) All our demerit is reckoned to Jesus; all his perfection to us. 

‘A ram of consecration’ (v. 22) is expressed in the Hebrew idiom ‘for it is a ram of filling’. The full expression for consecration is ‘to fill one’s hands’. Just like we say of someone whose life seems very demanding, ‘He/she has his/her hands full’, so consecration is a life filled for God in every department – hence the blood being put on the ears, thumbs and toes of Aaron and his sons (v. 20). It is a life wholly active for him in what we hear, do and where we go – and in what we refuse to hear and do, and where we refuse to go. 

After all that, Aaron and his sons are required to spend seven days in retreat (vv. 35–37). They might have been keen to get started on their new life; the Lord is in no hurry. Every ministry they could now offer is essential for the people; yet never mind, there is no hurry. They are to take time to become the people God wants them to be. 

Reflection

Isaiah 50:4 is a forecast of the Lord Jesus, the perfect disciple and Servant of the Lord. Ponder his morning timetable.