Consecration
Leviticus 8:22 And he brought the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram. [23] And he slew it; and Moses took of the blood of it, and put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.
This rite or ritual under the Old Covenant was at the consecration or ordination of Aaron and his descendants to the priest’s office. It was a literal ritual with great significance.
What significance does this have to us today? Is there any significance, or has it just become an old and archaic custom long dispensed with? Should we just ignore it and go along untouched? Notice Apostle Paul’s words to the Romans:
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written in times past were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
I think the Lord is dishonoured when we ignore the intent of the records of the Old Testament. Jesus and the Apostles taught much with reference to the Old Testament scriptures. We would be wise to heed what was “once for all” delivered to us. The scriptures from cover to cover are there for us to learn and to understand what the will of God is.
So back to consecration; what does it mean?
A definition from Wiki:
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups.
For Aaron it was dedication to the Priest’s Office. To my mind it is remarkable the symbolism in the ritual. Three bodily parts were to have the “blood of consecration” applied to them.
Firstly the right ear.
This implies that God “wanted Aaron’s ear” – or we could say Aaron was to have his ear tuned to hear the Word of God when He spoke. The common phrase: “give me your ear” means – “listen to me.” Since his ear had been consecrated or dedicated to fulfill his office, his ear was to be tuned to hear only God’s voice.
What we do and the choices we make are based in large measure on what we assimilate through the senses of our bodies. What we hear and see is very important. Not only should our ears be tuned to hear the Lord but our eye should be “single” – watch out what you watch or look at! Watch out what you listen to!
Secondly the right thumb
It is the thumb that sets man apart from apes. Without the thumb the hand’s activities wouldn’t be of much use. The hand is indicative of work. For Aaron, his hands were to be dedicated to perform the work in the temple. All his work was God’s work. We serve the Lord first – then other things.
Thirdly the right big toe
The big toe is very important to maintain balance when walking. Do you think God knew what He was doing when He instructed that Aaron’s big toe be consecrated?
Symbolically this has to do with Aaron’s walk – and our walk in the world – balanced and well adjusted. Our feet are to carry the Gospel.
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that says unto Zion, your God reigns!
Aaron’s walk before Israel was to be exemplary – so should ours.
Top to bottom
From top to bottom, Aaron was consecrated. He was to hear, do and walk the pathway his office dictated. Hear the Word of God – do the Works of God – walk the Pathway of God.
Please note the following scripture:
Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
That means YOU dear believer – you are a priest. What is the function of a priest?
Answer: To hear what God has to say and to minister to the people and walk in a godly fashion in this world.
Have you been consecrated yet? Are you fulfilling your priestly role – forget being a king for a moment?
I encourage each one today to commit your life, ears, hands and feet to the Lord Jesus – as Paul says in Romans 12:1 “…present your bodies a living sacrifice…acceptable to God…”
Dear child of God; rise to fill your high calling in Christ – start by consecrating yourself to Jesus today – as Aaron did – and serve the Lord with everything in you.
Frances Havergal wrote the following hymn – make it your prayer:
- Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love. (2x) - Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee;
Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King. (2x) - Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee;
Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold. (2x) - Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise;
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose. (2x) - Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne. (2x) - Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee. (2x)
Copyright: Public Domain
Peter Crause
This is not copyrighted and may be freely used and distributed.
e-mail: crause.pd@shaw.ca
