The Ram in Scripture (5)—The Consecration of the Priests - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

Thou shalt take the second ram and thou shalt slaughter the ram, and take of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and of his sons, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the great toe of their right foot.
Exodus 29:19-20 JND

The Ram in Scripture (5)—The Consecration of the Priests
Our God and Father had so much more in mind for us than being simply saved from the judgment we deserved. He would have us to be priests for Himself. In this portion of Scripture we see the consecration of the priests, and two rams are used.

First, a bullock is offered as a sin offering, a reminder that "Jehovah hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:6).

Second, a ram was offered on the altar as a burnt offering. The Lord Jesus offered Himself up to God by the eternal Spirit (Heb. 9:14). They put their hands upon the head of the ram. In type, all the value of that offering was transferred to them. For us, we are brought into favor in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6).

Third, the second ram is offered as the ram of consecration. Through the death of this ram, Aaron and his sons were set apart to be priests unto God. Again, this speaks of the death of Christ. The blood of the ram was put upon their right ears. So our ear today should be tuned to hear the voice of the Lord through His word: "he that hath an ear let him hear" (cf. Rev. 2-3). There are many voices today, including on the Internet. Let us be sure we are listening to Him!

Then the blood was put upon the thumb of their right hand. This would speak of our works. "Whatsoever ye do, labor at it heartily, as doing it to the Lord, and not to men" (Col. 3:23).

Finally, the blood was put upon the great toe of their right foot. We are to walk "worthily of the Lord" (Col. 1:10), and we are to walk in a manner worthy of our calling (Eph. 4:1). May the Lord help us to have our ear, our hand, and our feet set apart for Him, so that we all practically might function as priests for His glory!

-- Kevin Quartell