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Daily Devotions

Exodus

Exodus 
Day 
Day 280

"So Moses did as the LORD commanded him. And the congregation was gathered together at the door of the tabernacle of meeting." Leviticus 8:4

Text: Exodus 29 : 35-37

IN FULL VIEW OF THE CONGREGATION

The consecration of the priests was not done as a secret initiation rite. It was to be carried out in full view of the congregation of Israel. It was a very rigorous week for the priests indeed. In this manner, they were initiated into the challenges of the priestly ministry.

The congregation, viewing the consecration of the priests would also be able to understand and appreciate the priestly ministry better. It is not all about being privileged! It is about understanding just how sacred the priestly ministry truly was!

A SEVEN-DAY CONSECRATION EXERCISE

The entire consecration exercise was to last an entire week. The following text makes this very clear.

“Thus you shall do to Aaron and his sons, according to all that I
have commanded you. Seven days you shall consecrate them. And
you shall offer a bull every day as a sin offering for atonement.
You shall cleanse the altar when you make atonement for it,
and you shall anoint it to sanctify it. Seven days you shall make
atonement for the altar and sanctify it. And the altar shall be most
holy. Whatever touches the altar must be holy.”
EXODUS 29:35-37

1. “Seven days you shall consecrate them”

Why did the consecration take a whole week? The following reasons may be suggested:-

a) It is to emphasise the holiness of God.
b) It is to remind the priests and the congregation of the sacredness of the priestly ministry.
c) It is for the purpose of reinforcement of the concept of holy consecration.
d) The consecration procedure demanded a full seven day program.
e) This was the Lord’s own specific instruction and thus it must be complied with.

2. “You shall offer a bull every day as a sin offering for atonement… Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and sanctify it”

The altar must also be sanctified. The sanctification of the altar would require a sacrifice every day, for seven days! The priests must assist in the killing of a bull every day. The involvement of the priests would help them understand their ministry better!