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Daily Devotions

Exodus

Exodus 
Day 
Day 281

"Therefore you shall stay at the door of the tabernacle of meeting day and night for seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, so that you may not die..." Leviticus 8:35

Text: Exodus 29 : 36-37

THE CONCEPT OF CONSECRATION

The concept of consecration was something that God wanted Israel to learn. The essence of consecration lay in the understanding of the holiness and greatness of God! A proper understanding of who God is must include His majesty and His holiness. All who seek to approach Him in worship and service must understand what consecration means!

THE CONCEPT OF CONSECRATION OF THE PRIESTS

The priests who were given the privilege to minister at the Tabernacle must learn these lessons well! The effectiveness of their ministry depended much on how they understood and practised consecration. For seven days, the priests were inducted in a special consecration service that was meant to make a lasting impression on them!

THE CONSECRATION OF THE ALTAR

The idea of consecration was extended further. The altar they were to offer worship on behalf of Israel was also to be consecrated.

“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 29:36-37

1. The altar treated like a living entity

The altar was treated as if it was a living entity. All the things required of the priests were to be applied to the altar.

a) Atoning
b) Cleansing
c) Anointing
d) Sanctifying
e) For seven days too

The consecration of the altar took place in conjunction with the consecration of the high priests and his sons. Only after a long consecration service would the altar be considered “most holy”.

2. “Whatever touches it must be holy”

The lesson behind the consecration of the altar is obvious. God wanted to impress upon all, the priests specially, that they must be holy if they wished to serve well!