Posts

The Consecration of the Priesthood

Image
The Consecration of the Priesthood The consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests of Israel takes place in Exodus 29. After giving the instructions regarding the construction of the Tabernacle (Exodus 25–27) and the priestly vestments (Exodus 28), the Lord gives the instructions on how to consecrate the priests for their office. God appoint his servants, consecrates them to do His will . To be consecrated as a priest, one did not need to aspire to join this profession since God himself called the people to serve Him as priests. Consecration happened on Mount Sinai soon after the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. God was making Israel a covenant community and through the priesthood the people were going to maintain fellowship with God under the Mosaic Covenant. The consecration ceremony indicates that sinful men cannot serve a holy God unless God provides grace . Through the ordination ritual, God appoints the regular Levites as covenant mediators, rather than because they are so...
Post a Comment
Read more

Priestly Garments and their symbolism

Image
  The Consecration and Garments of the Priests After discussing the sanctuary (Exodus 25-27), God moves on to discuss the ministers that will serve in this sanctuary. Worship of God in a sacred manner involves a sanctuary and holy ministers. The position of the high priest was the position that Israel would use to access God through the Mosaic Covenant. At this point, Israel was camped at Mount Sinai following their departure from Egypt (1446 B.C. or 1260 B.C.). God had redeemed Israel, made a covenant with them, and now had a structured system of worship that would allow a sinful people to live in covenantal fellowship with God. The position of the priests was never meant to exalt anyone above another but to ensure that the covenantal relationship that Israel had with God is maintained by bridging the gap between God’s holiness and humanity’s sinfulness.   God's Appointment of Aaron and His Sons The priests were appointed by God. Ministry was never an outcome of man’s d...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Glory of God concealed

Image
  Introduction The book of Exodus chapter 26 gives detailed directions to Moses on how the Tabernacle was to be erected. The Tabernacle is described as being God’s dwelling place inside the sanctuary besides the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, and the Golden Lampstand. The Tabernacle is described as having several features including curtains, coverings, frames, bars, veil, and the entrance. The chapter is highly technical in nature, however, the Tabernacle did not only refer to a tent, but God’s presence among His people. God had delivered His people Israel from Egypt and He had made them a covenant at Mount Sinai. However, all other nations of the ancient Near East also had temples for their gods; nevertheless, Israelite sanctuary was unique in the sense that the deity, Yahweh, did not belong to a localized temple. The Tabernacle symbolized an amazing theological paradox: the infinite God who could neither be contained within heavens nor within earth decided to in...
Post a Comment
Read more

Redemption Reverses the Curse

Image
  The Instructions for the Tabernacle The Dwelling Place of God among His People, Exodus 25 represents a significant point in the book of Exodus. Following the deliverance out of Egypt (Exodus 1-15) and covenant at Sinai (Exodus 19-24), the focus of the story changes from liberation and lawgiving to worship and the presence of God. God provides specific instructions on how to build the tabernacle, representing the main sign that God dwells among his people. Exodus 25 has been considered foundational for worship, presence, mediation, and holiness.   Historical Context of Exodus 25 The passage of Exodus 25 follows the sealing of the covenant in Exodus 24 where Moses, along with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders, experienced theophany and eat in God’s presence. This marks the beginning of what Exodus 25 makes known – God’s desire to dwell with His people for all times. They are now not just liberated slaves; Israel is a covenant people. But there is an issue here that...
Post a Comment
Read more