Moses oversees this event. The last time he will act as spiritual leader of the people
Continuation of first part of the chapter, where we left after anointing Aaron and his sons to focus on the sacrifices. Now that the sacrificial system has been introduced, we return to this chapter.
14-17 - Bull as a sin offering. Again, what part can be left out and be pleasing to God?
18-20 - Ram as burnt offering. It's total incineration signifies the total dedication of the priests to the Lord's service
22-29 - Second ram as "ram of consecration" or "ram of ordination"
Several steps involved:
Moses presents the ram (22a)
Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the ram's head (22b)
Moses kills the ram (23a)
Moses places blood on Aaron's right earlobe, right thumb and right big toe (23b), representing that what he heard, what he handled and wherever he went, he was God's. See Exodus 29:20
How does this apply to us today? Romans 12 - I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service
Moses then sprinkles the rest of the blood on the altar
Then takes the fat, the right thigh, three kinds of grain offerings, gives them to Aaron and his sons who present them as a "wave" (elevated) offering. Not for Moses or the people but for those in the process of becoming priests
31-36 - Instructions for the next seven days
By now a lot has happened: Tabernacle and its components have been anointed, Aaron and his sons have been anointed, three sacrifices have been offered and Aaron here is given specific instructions regarding the meat of the sacrifices. But there's still more to do
Continue this process for seven days (Also recorded in Exodus 29)
Live in the court of the tabernacle
Why? Verse 34, "To make atonement"
God's priests had to be and had to be seen as holy. How are those in God's royal priesthood today seen by others?
Also, living in the tabernacle court in sight of all Israel emphasized that from this time forward, priests are dedicated to God and would be supported by the rest of the nation
Great lessons here for church leaders. With great opportunity and privilege comes great responsibility.
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