The Consecration to Minister
(Bearing the Iniquity of the Priesthood)
by Dale M. Sides
Throughout the ages God has required that His ministers remain holy and have a depth of purity about them in order to administer the things of God. God has always required that they be consecrated, meaning "set apart, " for holiness. Otherwise, as they ministered about the holy things of God, they would profane and annul the sacrifices to Him, and thereby leave the people with uncovered sins. Impurities also spread among the people if the priests neglected God's requirement for consecration. All the priestly activities, even the clothes they wore, underscored the required focus of their lives-Holiness unto the Lord, as the name plate worn on their head also blatantly stated.
Speak to Aaron and his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they do not profane My holy name in those things which they sanctify to Me: I am the LORD. Say to them: 'Whoever of all your descendants throughout your generations, who goes near the holy things which the children of Israel sanctify to the LORD, while he has uncleanness upon him, that person shall be cut off from My presence: I am the LORD. Leviticus 22:2-3
A primary requirement of the priesthood was to remain holy and not to pollute the holy place or the holy things of God. If a priest was in any way found impure, either by committing a sin, touching an unclean thing, having a sore on him or an impurity within him, he would be disqualified from ministering until proven clean. Maintaining purity and not polluting the holiness of the Lord was not only a major aspect of the ministry in the Old Testament but is still a major responsibility to all who serve in this capacity now. This responsibility is called "bearing the iniquity of the priesthood, " according to the following directive to Aaron.
Then the LORD said to Aaron: "You and your sons and your father's house with you shall bear the iniquity related to the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear the iniquity associated with your priesthood." Numbers 18:1
The iniquity of the priesthood necessitates that the responsible individuals must be willing to carry the responsibility for upholding holiness as well as the corresponding consequences of profaning it. If the office of priesthood was polluted, resulting in individuals not having their sins atoned, the consequence was that the wrath of God was incurred on the priests instead of the people. It could cost priests their lives if holiness was compromised (Exodus 28: 38,43).
And you [the priests] shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and the duties of the altar, that there may be no more wrath on the children of Israel. Numbers 18:5
Perhaps one of the most notable accounts in the Word of God where priests polluted the holy place was when Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, offered strange fire, that not given by God, and were consumed by God's anger. When they were consumed, notice that Aaron, their father, did not say a word because he knew the nature of the iniquity of the priesthood and the consequence for not upholding holiness.
Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them.
So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.
Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.' So Aaron held his peace. Leviticus 10: 1-3
God's unchanging requirement for personal holiness is still in effect today. He said to Moses, "Be sure your sins will find you out" (Numbers 32:23). Priests and ministers must take to heart the righteous holiness of God and accept the iniquity of the priesthood. It re- mains just as binding now because God still wants sin reckoned with honestly so that we may have a proper and due relationship with Him and so that no wrath should be poured out upon His people.
Even though these requirements are listed in the Old Testament, the New Testament responsibility for purity and holiness is just as vital and necessary. Individuals fulfilling the priesthood now must apply the blood of Jesus (instead of the blood of bulls and goats) to their own sins as well as the sins of the people to whom they minister. They must likewise be cleansed afresh in the event of committing a sin and becoming contaminated. The standard they uphold is just as vital today. The need to bear the iniquity of the priesthood and uphold holiness is just as great as during the Old Testament period.
Often in our modern day understanding we do not relate properly to the word "priest" or "priesthood" due to religious connotations de- rived from the Roman Catholic or Episcopal influence. However, the priesthood is not restricted to individuals within these denominations. The actual meaning of the biblical word "priest" is one who offers sacrifices for others and who goes before God to represent them.
I Peter 2:9 shows that the current priesthood is not reserved for a bloodline or a denomination. but includes all Christians whom God has called.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; I Peter 2:9
Verse 10 goes on to say that though once we were Gentiles, now God has allowed us to obtain mercy to walk in this ministry. Verses 11 and 12 absolutely verify the requirements for holiness and further stipulate the judgment to come upon the New Testament priest-the day of visitation.
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. I Peter 2:11-12
1 Timothy 4: 12 tells the overseer that he or she must be careful to maintain purity as examples to the rest of the body of Christ. In addition, Jesus' most severe rebukes were addressed to the religious Pharisees who were making merchandise of widows and using their positions for personal gain. He showed His care for the purity of the house of God by His most violent act of cleansing the temple of moneychangers. 1 Corinthians 3 warns that God will destroy those who corrupt the temple, the body of Christ; and 2 Peter testifies of the Godly recompense of the outer darkness to false prophets and teachers. Clearly, the responsibility of the minister and priest to maintain purity and holiness continues today.
The following words of Jesus indicate a required retribution for denial and negligence of holiness and purity in the office of an overseer.
The master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware; and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:46-48
This passage shows that bearing the iniquity of the priest- hood is a continual requirement for those entrusted with that authority .It also shows the eternal consequence of not conducting the office properly.
The Old Testament profiles of purification as applied to New Testament ministers are very exacting requirements in the sight of God. God's standard of holiness has not changed or diminished since the coming of Jesus, only the way that sins are cleansed and atoned. The requirements for holiness for the priesthood are still binding and the responsibility of bearing the iniquity of the priesthood is just as valid now.
Requirements for The Priesthood
The Old Testament patterns of purity and consecration profiles the New Testament requirements for virtue and morality in the priest- hood or ministry today. The procedure for consecrating priests in the Old Testament shows these vital and binding requirements. These requirements for consecration, which means being set apart for holiness and purity, are listed in Exodus 29. The actual account of priestly consecration being enacted is found in Leviticus 8.
There are many details in these records which profile vital areas in the life of a minister. We will by no means be able to cover all these profiles, just the major ones. For example, the articles of clothing enumerated in Exodus 28 and how they relate to the ministry comprise an entire study in and of itself. We will cover only the basic requirements for the priesthood, how the priest is purified, and how the consecration is enacted. This study will only touch upon elements of clothing, bathing and particularly the sacrifices offered. In addition, it will show the initial commitment necessary to minister as well as the day by day commitment necessary to stand faithfully in the office.
Though it should be obvious, nonetheless, we must mention that people entering the priesthood need the distinct call of God upon their lives
. In the Old Testament, this was restricted to the Levites and further limited to the sons of Aaron. In the New Testament, though not by bloodline, there is a definite calling by the Lord Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. This is not a business or a career in the secular sense, and engaging in this office in such a manner is very dangerous.
I have been closely involved with a man in my hometown that entered the ministry according to what he called, "My second career." This man's life was wrecked by disaster after disaster. After being fired from his pastorate, losing his wife and family, and suffering a second heart attack, his career now consists of umpiring Little League baseball games. Remember that the calling to ministry includes bearing the iniquity of the priesthood and is not something to be trifled with. Some may simply attribute this sequence of events to "bad luck. " Others may even recognize the sinister hand of Satan causing it. Perhaps this man, by the freedom of his will, decided that he wanted to minister the holy things of God without being called and thereby incurred the consequences. Statistical proof shows high failure rate in the ministry .The rate might be so high because people attempt to minister who haven't been called by the Lord, or that the requirements for "management" are higher than the "industry standard."
Often it seems that all an individual needs is a diploma from an accredited institution and a card registering his license to be able to stand and proclaim "rightness" in the name of God. Romans I: 1 says that Paul was called to be an apostle (not educated to be a "clergyman, " a word that does not exist in the text of the Bible). There is certainly a period of learning required by all in the ministry, either in a school or under the tutelage of others, but this does not substitute for the calling-it only augments it by making preparation to fulfill it.
Almost everyone in the church today has heard of the crimes committed against mankind being perpetrated from this office of holiness. Sin and misconduct in these offices make big news, and should, because they are the chiefest of offenses. These sins profane the name and holiness of God. Hirelings that are found in these positions may even commit crimes against mankind, but they sin against God by profaning the holiness of the priesthood. "Be not deceived: God is not mocked," the Bible states in Galatians 6:7. The justice of God will prevail. Even a wrecked life is nothing compared to the judgment of God upon hirelings that hypocritically fill this office for a paycheck. An example of someone claiming the office when not called to it is Korah (Numbers 16). The earth opened up and swallowed him and his 250 followers.
Even receiving a specific calling. Responding to the priesthood and being recognized by God as a proper authority does not absolve a person from the necessity for holiness. They must remain holy and perform the office of the priesthood properly. We have already mentioned Nadab and Abihu as offenders in these practices. God consumed them by fire directly from heaven. Suffice it to say-this is no light matter.
Being a priest is the most revered position in any culture or society and carries with it the demand for the highest morals and ethical behavior. (It's how someone acts when alone that measures his true character, not how well he puts on a facade.) In addition to the requirements for the priesthood, Exodus 29 also covers the blessings of living in high standards by being supported by the offerings and tithes of the people. Matthew 12:43 and 44 say that Jesus will make those found faithful in the office rulers over all His kingdom. The benefits are "out of this world," but the demands are commensurate with the perks.
Examining the details for the consecration of the priesthood does not mean that we are going to re-create priestly garments or re-institute daily sacrifices because Jesus came to fulfill the law. However, be quickly reminded that He did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). As we see the day approaching when a Jewish King rules the world from Jerusalem, we would do well to consider that if we are not going to be Torah practicing, at least we should be Torah knowledgeable and Torah observant. These practices from Exodus 29 will show the principles of character that God expects of Jews or Gentiles in His service.
For example, Hebrews 10:4 tells us that the blood of bulls and goats could never atone for our sins, but only the precious blood of Jesus. Yet, Exodus 29 will show us what the blood of bulls and goats was supposed to accomplish. Therefore, the fulfillment is by the blood of Jesus, but what was atoned is shown in Exodus 29. So, the details of the purity required for the priesthood in the Old Testament shows a greater depth and reality than just the atonement; they reflect a requirement for inner virtue and character. Even though the New Testament reveals the fulfillment, the Old Testament profiles will show us immutable principles that should be followed.
Preparation and Requirement for Consecration
Exodus 29 gives the pertinent details on what God required in order for Aaron and his sons to be consecrated for the priesthood. Some of these requirements were for the initial entry to the priesthood, while others were to be done on a daily basis as a reminder of what was required of them. A bull and two goats were sacrificed for the actual consecration. The beginning verse of Exodus 29 shows the context of hallowing. or making them holy, that the whole chapter unveils.
And this is what you shall do to them to hallow them for ministering to Me as priests: Take one young bull and two rams without blemish, Exodus 29: 1
Even before the consecration and offerings began (at the very door of entering the tabernacle of meeting) the candidates for the priesthood had to fulfill certain requirements even before sacrificing the bull and goats. The fact that it was to be done at the door shows "the requirement to get in. " The candidates were to be bathed, clothed and anointed (Exodus 29:4-9). These essential elements cannot be overlooked.
The entire chapter of Exodus 28 is devoted to the articles of clothing stipulated for the priesthood. Many types and profiles of the ministry are revealed in this chapter; yet before they were put on, the candidate had to be bathed. This requirement shows the need for cleansing and purification.
And Aaron and his sons you shall bring to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and you shall wash them with water. Exodus 29:4
After bathing, the holy garments and proper clothing (verses 5 and 6) were to be put on. Then the priests were to be anointed with oil.
And you shall take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint him Exodus 29:7
Since oil is a 'type' of the Holy Spirit, this verse shows that a prerequisite to minister in the sanctuary was to have the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Therefore the verse shows us today that the need for the ministry of the Holy Spirit is critical to properly qualify for the priesthood.
Through the bathing and anointing directives in the Old Testament, qualifications for the priesthood and requirements for the candidates are indicated. The principles are directly applied to the New Testament priesthood. All candidates need to be washed with the water of the Word of God for holiness, and to be baptized with the Holy Spirit for empowerment. These are not just nice items to have but are stipulated prerequisites for the ministry. This dual requirement shows the balance of holiness and power in a minister's life.
I am personally involved with teaching and distributing messages of unity within the body of Christ and have been called on by the Lord to coordinate fellowships in different areas of the world to facilitate it. One of the main issues that often comes up is the issue of the baptism of the Holy Spirit; We, meaning individuals working for unity (Ephesians 4:3), are often trying to referee between individuals who have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and others that have and magnify it above the need for holiness. Everyone agrees, however, that we do not want unity for unity's sake, but unity for the Lord's sake and upon His standards.
Satan has divided the church over these two issues of holiness versus power. One faction demands the need for holiness while the other demands the need for power. One says the other has power and no virtue and the other says we have virtue and do not need the power. In a prophetic statement to both sides, may I speak in the name of the Lord by the authority of the word of God, by the stipulations for bathing and anointing-both of these are required.
If you are empowered by the baptism of the Holy Spirit yet living in sin, you are required by the Word of God to clean up your life. If you do not, your eternal fate is being delicately weighed in the balances. On the other hand, if you are a virtuous person without the baptism of the Holy Spirit, you need to seek it and get it. If you do not, you are as disqualified for the priesthood as a minister guilty of practicing adultery. No one would dare to put the holy clothes on a dirty body, and likewise, none would dare minister unless anointed. This is not a matter of either/or. It is both/and. The authority of this statement is the Word of God from Exodus 29. For God's sake, for the people's sake, and most especially for your eternal sake-get holy and get empowered (anointed) or get out of the office.
First, get bathed; then get anointed. The clothes of the priesthood represent the office and the calling of God. You have requirements for wearing them. Either wear them properly or take them off. If you profane the office of the priesthood by not bathing or being anointed. You are in violation of the requirements and will certainly bear the iniquity of the priesthood. Get holy and get empowered. No excuses! Then, and only then, we can proceed past the door.
The Offerings of Consecration
After the requirements of bathing, clothing and anointing at the door of the tabernacle were fulfilled, there were two specific sacrifices offered for consecration, according to Exodus 29. In proper order, the bull was sacrificed as a sin offering (verse 14); then the rams were sacrificed as burnt offerings (verse 18). The first sacrifice involves the shedding of blood for the purification of the priest and therefore typifies the giving of the savior for the sins of the priest. The second indicates the proper response of the priest after being purged-to give his life for the savior by being totally consumed (burnt) in the giving of his life. The first represents the gift of God's grace and the atonement of sins; the next portrays the gift of the priest's life and his total commitment to the priesthood.
We will examine specific details of both the sin offering and the burnt offering in some detail to discover what is necessary for consecration. There is also a wave offering that underscores the free will giving of the individual (Exodus 29:22-27), and a heave offering (verse 28) that shows the benefits that are to inure to the priest, and that he is supposed to be sustained by the best that the congregation has to offer. Even though the wave and heave offerings are vital portions of the consecration, we will not give as much attention to these since these are more closely related to the benefits of the priesthood than its requirements.
The Sin Offering
First, Aaron and his sons were brought to the door of the tabernacle. This is actually the beginning of the consecration since it happened at the door. This is where the bull was to be sacrificed.
You shall also have the bull brought before the tabernacle of meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head of the bull.
Then you shall kill the bull before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Exodus 29:10-11
Before sacrificing the bull, the candidates were to lay their hands on the head of the bull. This was to signify that their sins were to be placed on the bull that was to be sacrificed. Since this was to take place by the door of the meeting place, indicates that before going any further into the holy place their sins needed to be transferred to the bull. This shows that no one can minister the holy things of God with unatoned sins upon him. You cannot bring sin into the office of the priesthood.
As the bull was slain, some of the blood shed from the bull was to be put on the horns of the altar and the rest of it poured out at the base of it. (The horns of the altar may represent the nails of the cross in the hands and feet of Jesus and the base of the altar, the foot of the cross where the rest of his blood was shed.) Whatever the representation of where the blood was put, it is obvious that the shedding of blood is the only cleansing that will qualify someone to minister the holy things of God (Hebrews 9:22). This was not just to forgive their personal sins, since there was a separate offering for all individuals, including the priests, to have their individual sins covered (Leviticus 6: 17, 18). This offering was to purify the priests so that they could offer acceptable sacrifices for others.
In the New Testament application, ministers must apply the blood of Jesus to their own lives before ministering to others. It is one thing to sin, but it is another thing to minister with uncovered sins in the priestly office. If you minister without your sins covered, you could spread uncleanness in the body of Christ. Although this sin offering of the bull is done in the initial consecration of the priesthood, Leviticus 4:3 shows that this must be done any time a priest sins thereafter.
If the anointed priest sins [after being consecrated], bringing guilt on the people, then let him offer to the LORD for his sin which he has sinned a young bull without blemish as a sin offering. Leviticus 4:3
The following truths in Leviticus 4:4-12 show that the entire sin offering must be re- enacted or else the anointed priest will bring guilt upon the people. This is a major emphasis of this entire article: A whole section will be de- voted to "Maintaining Purity." The sacrifice of the ram will reveal more about this also, the burnt offering too, so be sure to study this section thoroughly. If unreconciled sins remain on you, even after consecration, you can bring guilt upon the people by spreading your own uncleanness through your ministry.
Next, in this sin offering was a very exact procedure that reveals a great aspect of purity and holiness that is required for members of the priesthood. This sacrifice has a dual meaning. First, it shows the total giving and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ to atone for the sins of the priesthood. Then, it represents what the individual priest must sacrifice and give up to fulfill the service of the priesthood in order to minister to God's people.
And you shall take all the fat that coven the entrails, the fatty lobe [caul] attached to the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them, and bum them on the altar. Exodus 29:13
The fat represents excess; therefore, all of it was to be burned in this sin offering. Fat is the part of the sacrifice that makes flames, not smoke. Burning flesh makes smoke but burning fat makes flames. This represents the excess in someone's life and is the first requirement that must be given up and placed upon the altar by everyone entering the priest's office. The specific areas of fat from the sacrificial animal shows the areas in an individual ' s life that must be sacrificed to the Lord.
The fat of the entrails is the place where excess is stored by the body to prepare for "lean times." (This physiologically relates to the roll of fat around the waist of a person.) By this fat being offered, it signified that the priest had to trust the Lord and rid himself of self- sufficiency. His excess and self-reliance were to go up, not in smoke, but in flames. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. If you rely on your own sufficiency you will be an open target for the spirit of Balaam,1 a spirit of bribery that all ministers can be tempted with. This fat directly relates to an area of neglect within the ministry that sorely needs attention. A roll, of fat around a minister's waist and being over- weight physically generally indicates a neglect of discipline in some aspect of the ministry (i.e., a lack of attention to fasting and proper daily ministerial maintenance). There are job requirements in law enforcement and in the military that stipulate certain physical fitness conditions must be maintained, yet overweight ministers are frequently the brunt of jokes about their physical condition. Offering up the fat of the entrails of the bull is one of the conditions necessary for the requirements of consecration.
The entrails of the bull is one of the conditions necessary for the requirements of consecration. The Lord does not drop His standard to oblige your appetite. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19-20).
Next, the fatty lobe of the liver was to be offered. This portion of the liver, also called the "caul," is the upper part that hangs down over the rest of the organ. Since the liver is responsible for filtering the blood, this represents all the collected impurities in a person' s life that must be sacrificed and placed upon the altar. This fat specifically relates to poisons in a person' s life that will taint their decisions due to past injuries or prejudices. The upper lobe is also the entry point where the blood first enters this physical filter. The Biblical indication is that the collection point of poison and impurities in the heart must go up in smoke and flames in order to qualify for the priesthood.
The consensus of different bible dictionaries, like Holman, Ungers, and Nelson, agree that the liver was used figuratively in the Old Testament for the heart of man and the seat of one's emotions. Therefore, in order for a priest to be consecrated for service, the decision must be made to sacrifice and burn self -seeking motives and desires in order to serve God (instead of serving oneself) and to fulfill the calling of the priesthood.
How often have you seen and heard a minister spouting his own views and promulgating his own opinions from the pulpit? This is what needs to be offered in sacrifice for consecration. It is obvious that people have individual preferences, but they are never to be carried into the priestly office and certainly never promoted behind the pulpit.
Next, the kidneys and the fat of the sacrificial animals was cut out and laid on the brazen altar to be sacrificed for the consecration of the priesthood. The kidneys function to filter out any poisons in the urinary tract of both man and animals. In this figurative sense, it means that all the poisons and bitterness of the past must be burned and sacrificed to fulfill this office. The kidneys also carry another meaning. Bible dictionaries concur that kidneys, according to Old Testament thought, represented the mind of mankind. If that is the case, then the whole of man, both heart from the liver and mind from the kidneys, must be offered in service for the Lord.
So, in a combined sense: if the fat of the entrails represent the body; the fat of the liver, the heart or the spirit of man; and the fat of the kidneys, the mind or soul of the priest, then the whole spirit, soul and body was cleansed by this sacrifice. This represents the total purification of spirit, soul and body (I Thessalonians 5:23).
The rest of the bull was to be taken away from the meeting place and burned with fire. The whole offering was a sin offering and was given to purify the priest so that he could offer sacrifice for the sins of the congregation of Israel.
But the flesh of the bull, with its skin and its offal, you shall bum with fire outside the camp. It is a sin offering. Exodus 29:14
Since this sacrifice foreshadows the giving of the Lord, there is a strong possibility of a profile that warrants mention. Jesus offered his whole spirit, soul and body by deliberate decision to God in the Garden of Gethsemane the night of His betrayal. This represents the fat in that He offered all His excess. In other words, He became poor that we might become rich. After the free will offering of Himself, representing the laying of the fat on the altar, He was then taken out of the city (or camp it represents) to Calvary, and crucified (as the remains of the bull were burned) outside the camp (Hebrews 13: 11-12). This fulfilled the sin offering to purify the priesthood.
The overall understanding of this sacrificial offering was to cover the sins of the priest to sanctify him for the office of the priesthood. The blood of the bull was shed to cover their sins and then the fat and internal organs were offered to purge the inward sins of excess in the body, heart and mind. All of these were offered as a sin offering to consecrated the individual for the office of the priesthood.
The sacrifice of the bull, representative of Jesus, became sin for the priest, or New Testament minister, so that they could minister in holiness. We all recognize that no one is personally qualified to fulfill this office. This is why the purification was first initiated, and why we need to remain under the blood of Jesus. We must never treat the blood of Jesus as a common thing. We also must always remember that doing so insults the spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29). We thank God for His mercy, but do not take it for granted that Jesus offered Himself for our purification.
Next, the Lord expects the priest to not only be pure through the sin offering, but to offer himself totally in service for others by willingly giving himself as a burnt offering.
The Burnt Offering
The burnt offering was the sacrificing of the rams. Unlike the bull, the rams were totally burned upon the brazen altar to signify the total sacrifice and giving of the priest's life in service to God. The first ram represented the free will decision of the Lord Jesus Christ; the second ram, the ram of consecration, represented how the priest was to give himself totally in service for the Lord. The sin offering sanctified the priest but the burnt offering committed him in total service to the Lord.
The first ram represent the Lord's total offering of Himself All of it was consumed upon the altar.
You shall also take one ram, and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands on the head or the ram; and you shall kill the ram, and you shall take its blood and sprinkle it all around on the altar.
Then you shall cut the ram in pieces, wash its entrails and its legs, and put them with its pieces and with its head. And you shall burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the LORD; it is a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD. Exodus 29:15-18
Jesus, as the first ram, gave Himself totally and wholly for the people. The second ram represents the priest and how he is to do the same.
The next ram was called the ram of consecration (verse 22) because the specific parts of it were designated for certain areas in the priest's life that were to be directly committed to the Lord's service. When Aaron and his sons laid their hands on this ram's head, it was to signify that they would give their life in the same manner as the first ram, the Lord Jesus.
The blood of the ram of consecration was applied to specific areas of the priest's body. This was to show which parts were required for the total fulfillment of the priesthood.
Then you shall kill the [second] ram, and take some of its blood and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, on the thumb of their right hand and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar. Exodus 29:20
The blood placed on the right ear was to show that the priest would give himself to hear only the words of God. The blood placed on his right thumb was to signify that he would commit himself to do only the works of the Lord. The blood placed on the right big toe was to consecrate his walk. Showing that he dedicated himself to walk only in the ways of the Lord.
The offering of the ram of consecration: the blood applied to the ear, thumb and toe of the priest, consecrated the inward thoughts and actions. Then more blood, along with anointing oil, was sprinkled upon the garments of the priests (verse 21). This sprinkling signified that everything coming upon them, in addition to the thoughts and actions coming out of them, would also be consecrated.
The Wave Offering
The next area of purification reveals what is referred to in the New Testament as "dying to self. " It is the wave offering that signifies the giving of oneself by "waving" it, or holding it up in the air and waving it back and forth, to present it to the Lord. Then it was to be burnt.
and you shall put all these [the elements from verses 22-23] in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons, and you shall wave them as a wave offering before the LORD
You shall receive them back from their hands and burn them on the altar as a burnt offering, as a sweet aroma be- fore the LORD. It is an offering made by fire to the LORD. Exodus 29:24-25
The total giving of one's life to the priesthood is a wonderful and precious thing before the Lord. Earlier Galatians 6:7 was mentioned, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked." The next part of the verse is, "for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap." If you sow into God's kingdom, you reap out of God's kingdom. Like- wise, it was quoted from Luke 12:45 to 47 that if a servant did not deal faithfully with the things of God then he would bear the consequences, but the earlier verses say that if the servant is faithful the Lord will make him ruler over all His kingdom. The specifics of the wave offering indicate what caliber service God wants given in this office.
Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration: Exodus 29:22
Notice that the parts of the ram are the same parts of the bull that were offered for sacrifice except for the addition of the rump and the right shoulder. These parts, the rump and shoulder represent the strength of the ram. So, the best of their body (fat of the entrails), spirit (fat of liver), and soul (fat of the kidneys), along with all their strength (from rump and shoulder) was to be given to the Lord as a total free will offering.
Also, a loaf of bread, a cake of oiled bread and a wafer of unleavened bread was taken out of the basket they brought with them (verse 2). All these foods were to be unleavened, meaning that they had no yeast. Unleavened bread symbolized the lack of time and luxury necessary to allow the bread dough to rise. The Feast of Unleavened Bread shows this by indicating that the children of Israel did not have time to wait for the dough to rise before leaving the land of Egypt.
And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the LORD: Exodus 29:23
The offering of the bread, cake and wafer shows the free will offering of the giving of time from one's life necessary for the filling of the priesthood. Bread, from the necessary food, shows the giving of the necessary time. The cake, being a delicacy and a luxury shows the giving of the luxury time, and the wafer, being a sacrificial item, shows the giving of time for the necessary sacrifice of the priestly office. Notice that only one loaf, cake and wafer were taken out of the basket and not all of them. This shows that it will be necessary to sacrifice your time, the first part of it, but not all of it.
Recently I was called upon to counsel a minister and his wife who were having marital problems. As you might expect, it was over the "time in the ministry" issue. She said he worked too much and he insisted that it was because of his ministerial duties. The solution was a balance. He needed to realize that only one loaf, cake and wafer were waved and she needed to realize that it was a wave offering - giving the sacrifice of one's self to the Lord-not to just "another job."
All of these items - the fat of the body, liver, kidneys, rump, right shoulder, one loaf, one cake and one wafer-symbolizing the giving of certain aspects of the life for the priesthood given to the Lord, was placed in the hands of the Old Testament priests. They waved, or presented these items by the freedom of their will, to the Lord. After they waved the sacrifice, it was given back to Moses. Then it was totally burned as a sweet offering to the Lord.
and you shall put all these in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons, and you shall wave them as a wave offering before the LORD. Exodus 29:24
It is a great thing to be found faithful before the Lord. There are eternal rewards to share in the future kingdom, and there are also benefits to enjoy now. The remaining verses in Exodus 29 and Leviticus 8 show the benefits the priests should have in bearing the iniquity of the priest- hood. They were to receive the best of the sacrifice that was left over after it was given to the Lord.
Then you shall take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration and wave it as a wave offering before the LORD; and it shall be your portion. And from the ram of the consecration you shall sanctify the breast of the wave offering which is waved, and the thigh of the heave offering which is raised, of that which is for Aaron and of that which is for his sons. It shall be from the children of Israel for Aaron and his sons by a statute forever. For it is a heave offering; it shall be a heave offering from the children of Israel from the sacrifices of their peace offerings, that is, their heave offering to the LORD. Exodus 29:26-28
God never intended a priest to take a vow of poverty .In reality, it is a disgrace to God when congregations do not care for the priest properly. The priest's responsibility is to remain holy and to care for the flock's well being before God. The congregation' s responsibility is to share in sacrifice with the priest and to assure that they are cared for. Negligence from either party incurs God's anger and potentially His judgment.
An Example of Profaning the Holiness of the Priesthood
A clarion example of what was required of the priest and what they were to properly receive is found in 1 Samuel 2. What happens when the priests profaned the holiness of the priesthood was illustrated by the sons of Eli. When the priests profaned the holiness of the sacrifice, the people abhorred the Lord's offerings. The sons of Eli apparently ceased offering sacrifices and had sins that were not atoned. The record further chronicles the iniquity of the priesthood and that not bearing it cost these men their lives.
Now the sons of Eli [the High Priest] were corrupt; they did not know the LORD. And the priests' custom with the people was that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fleshhook in his hand while the meat was boiling. Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; and the priest would take for himself all that the fleshhook brought up. So they did in shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. 1 Samuel 2:12-14
Taking this portion was pem1issible because this was their just portion. However, Eli's sons were not satisfied with what was rightfully theirs and demanded to have their portion before the Lord got His.
Also, before they burned the fat, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who sacrificed, "Give meat for roasting to the priest, for he will not take boiled meat from you, but raw." And if the man said to him, "They should really burn the fat first; then you may take as much as your heart desires," he would then answer him, "No, but you must give it to me now; and if not, I will take it by force." Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men abhorred the offering of the LORD. 1 Samuel 2:15-17
The priests were to offer the sacrifices and then to take the best part after the fat was burned. The sons of Eli perverted the sacrifices and were demanding their portion before the Lord got his offering. When Eli talked to them about it, he was worried because they made the Lord's people transgress. Look at what else they did in profaning the Lord's holiness in the office of the priesthood.
Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 1 Samuel 2:22
We may think that adultery is such a modern, current problem in the ministry, but Eli' s sons were using their office not to fleece sheep but to eat them. They were taking advantage of women who were gathering at the door of the tabernacle to offer sin offerings. They said, "It's okay for us to do this because we will offer sacrifice for you to be forgiven. You might as well go ahead and 'take care of my needs' so that I can do my service better. After all, I'm going to have to offer sacrifice for you anyway, so the sin will be covered anyhow." In our era, this is typical of counting the blood of Jesus as a common thing and doing despite to the spirit of grace. Look at Eli's response.
So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from an the people. No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the Lord’s people transgress: If one man sins against another, God will judge him. But if a man sins against the LORD, who will intercede for him?" Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the LORD desired to kill them. 1 Samuel 2:23-25
Often people do not want to deal with the last part of verse 25. When someone uses God's people and transgresses and profanes God's holiness in their office, he would do well to re- member that failing to bear the iniquity of the priesthood can cost someone their life.
If you remember the end of the account, the sons of Eli, along with their negligent father, all died in one day and the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant. Though the blessings of God pour from heaven on a true and honest priest, He will not tolerate His offerings to be profaned without charging divine retribution.
Maintaining Purity
Each and every member of the priesthood and ministry needs to maintain purity .God realizes this and makes provisions; He even did this for the Old Testament priest.
If the anointed priest [one who has already been consecrated] sins, bringing guilt on the people, then let him offer to the LORD for his sin which he has sinned a young bull without blemish as a sin offering. Leviticus 4:3
The following verses, 4 through 12, show that the sin offering had to be re-enacted when the priest sinned. In the New Testament, we recognize that the blood of Jesus was shed once and for all and that there is no more need for such a sacrifice. However, instead of killing a bull, we need to claim the atonement that the blood of Jesus offers.
The priest presenting the offering also sprinkled the blood seven times in front of the veil for the anointed priest's cleansing (Leviticus 4:6). This shows that Jesus bled seven times for perfect redemption,2 and that forgiveness is absolutely available if the blood is applied. It also shows that God wants his ministers to be perfectly purified when ministering for Him.
An additional consideration for maintaining purity is to remember the blood on the ear, thumb and big toe. Even though this application of the blood from the ram of consecration was made at the initiation of the priesthood, it should have a daily effect on every minister.
Every time and any time a minister steps into the role of the priesthood, representative of ministering in the sanctuary, this blood should be applied to each specific part. When individuals do not commit themselves to hearing only the words of God, doing only His works and walking only in His ways, then the service offered is seriously in danger of being tainted with the person's own self-induced words, acts or ways. As quaint as this may seem, it is a good practice to anoint the ear, thumb and toe before actively engaging in ministry, at least in calling it to mind if not by actually using oil or wine to anoint. This action will serve as a reminder that you are totally offered to represent the Lord and not yourself.
How many times have you heard a minister in the pulpit venting fumes of offense out of his soul and not representing the Holy Spirit? This could also relate to "strange fire," something not coming from the Lord. Poison spreads through the body of Christ when this happens. There is a related truth dealing with leprosy and open sores that prevents any priest from ministering if they have any open wounds.
Whatever man of the descendants of Aaron, who is a leper or has a discharge, shall not eat the holy offerings until he is clean. And whoever touches anything made unclean by a corpse, or a man who has had an emission of semen, or whoever touches any creeping thing by which he would be made unclean, or any person by whom he would be- come unclean, whatever his uncleanness may be. Leviticus 22:4-5
The Old Testament lists the qualifications necessary for the priest to fulfill before going back into the service of the sanctuary, including a seven day waiting period to see if an open sore would heal or if it was leprosy (Leviticus 15:13). Similarly, it would be a good idea for ministers that have been wounded, offended or have sinned in certain areas to prove to other priests or ministers that the wound is not still open and oozing. (The test for leprosy is a test that all ministers can use to determine if someone is indeed healed and ready again to actively enter the service of the church.) The danger is that the poison from the wound will spread. This is especially true of ministers filling pulpits and teaching doctrine. (Studying Leviticus l5 concerning the test for leprosy will give great insight about how to determine if someone is healed or if they will spread poison through an open wound.)
Some Bible teachers have even suggested that I Timothy 5: 22 relates to imparting impurity to people when the minister is operating with uncovered sins in his own life.
Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure. 1 Timothy 5:22
Whether 1 Timothy 5: 22 is related to the matter or not, I have seen firsthand that good can be imparted through the laying on of hands, and likewise, wrong things can be imparted, too.
Illustrations of these wrong impartations are numerous throughout the church. I continue to deal with these in my office as an overseer to ministers. Several years ago, I was called upon by the Holy Spirit to lay hands on individuals to confer ordination gift ministries upon them. A couple of weeks later, two of the individuals separately called me to inform me that after the ordinations they had begun to manifest attitudes of discontentment and unthankfulness. As I pressed in by prayer, the Holy Spirit reminded me (John 14:26) that when I was doing the prophecies, I had been inordinately tired due to teaching long hours beforehand. I actually had similar symptoms during the time of ordination. I immediately asked the Lord to forgive me and called each of them and asked for their forgiveness, too.
Another incident that comes to mind occurred when a brother had hands laid on him by an unknown, itinerant minister. A powerful display of spirit manifestation left him laying on the floor supposedly, as he said, "slain by the Spirit." (Even though there are times that the Holy Spirit causes people to fall under the weight of glory (2 Chronicles 5: 14), the man later learned that it was not the Holy Spirit that had thrown him to the floor.) Upon returning home, his wife had revealed to her, through an odor given by the gift of discerning of spirits, that her husband was carrying a lust spirit. Months later, the minister who had laid hands on the man left his wife because of an adulterous affair .My friend had received an impartation all right, but it was from a demonic spirit. Perhaps we should all exercise discretion before allowing just anyone to lay hands upon us.
Similarly, I heard from a very reliable source that a minister had secretly begun smoking. After a service where he laid hands on a number of people, several of them later called him to report that they had either recently begun smoking or were being inordinately tempted with it.
My point is that there needs to be continual vigilance given to maintaining purity in ministering to God's people. The spiritual gift you impart (Romans 1:11) could either be good or bad.
Conclusion
Whether in the Old Testament or the New Testament, whether priest or minister, God requires holiness. This is not a new requirement. God did not change it when the blood of Jesus fulfilled the law of sin and burnt offerings.
The sin offering, typified by the shed blood of the bull and the burning of the fat, cleanses the priest to minister in the sanctuary .The sin offering needs to be re-applied or recognized again whenever the priest sins (Leviticus 4:3 and I John 1:7-9).
The burnt offering of the rams shows that Jesus offered Himself totally. This is the same commitment that God requires of priests and ministers of the sanctuary. The application of the blood to the ear, thumb and toe reminds us to hear only God's word, do only God's work and walk only in God's ways. The minister also gives his life and time as a freewill wave offering. In response, he lives off the sacrifices and offerings that God's people offer to him.
There is great abundance to share in the properly operated priesthood. It is an honor above all honors to share in this calling.
The blood of bulls and goats could not atone for our sins, but only by the grace of God and the blood of Jesus can someone qualify to fulfill the office of the priesthood. We all need to apply the blood of Jesus afresh as the priest needed to re-enact the sin offering when he was carrying sin and guilt. It is still by grace we are forgiven, but we need to apply the blood (1 John 1:7).
Remember that God will not tolerate UN-holiness in the priesthood. The concern of bearing the iniquity of the priesthood is still carried on the shoulders of those who carry the Word of God, whether in the Ark of the Covenant or in the fleshly tables of the heart. We must all maintain purity in the office of the priesthood and carry within our hearts the same message as the High Priest wore on his forehead-Holiness to the Lord.
But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16
Notes:
- Dale M. Sides, Overcoming the Spirit of Balaam, Liberating Ministries for Christ, Intl., Episkopos Distribution, February 1999, pg. 4.
- Dale M. Sides, Perfect Redemption, Liberating Ministries for Christ, Intl., class syllabus and tape set, 1999.
©1999 Liberating Ministries for Christ International, Inc.
