
“You shall put [the garments] on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him; and you shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve Me as priests. Exodus 28:41 NAS
If you read Exodus, the level of detail describing the office and function and duties of the Old Testament priests is usually enough to make our eyes glaze. It can take on extra significance when we consider that Jesus is our Great High Priest and all of the points Moses addresses point to their fulfillment in Christ.
However, if you read 1 Peter, he refers to believers as priests.
You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
If that’s the case, then what can WE take from those Old Testament descriptions?
Far more than I can get into in one quick post. But it’s worth looking at three points God makes at the installation ceremony for the Aaron and his sons.
1. Anoint them – Moses poured oil on the heads of the priests. Any time you see oil used, think of the Holy Spirit. We as believers are indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out our tasks. This also connects us to Jesus. Messiah and Christ are the Hebrew and Greek words for Anointed One.
2. Ordain them – This carries the idea of investing with some authority to carry out our task. You might think of it as commissioning. Remember when Jesus gave us our commission in Matthew 28:18-20, He began by establishing His own authority. In John 20:21 Jesus says, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
3. Consecrate them – This comes from the Hebrew word for holy. We are set apart, sanctified for service. God told Israel, “And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.” (Leviticus 20:26 ) Besides calling us a holy priesthood, Peter admonishes, “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”(1 Peter 1:15) We are to be different, held to a higher standard of conduct that reflects both the God we serve and our devotion to Him.
We are empowered, set apart, and commissioned.
Now it is our responsibility to be diligent, committed, and obedient.