Exodus 29 Devotional Bible Study

Exodus 29 Chapter Summary

To consecrate the priests, Moses was to have Aaron and his sons stand at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water, dress them in their priestly garments, and anoint them by pouring oil on their heads. Only Aaron the High Priest was to wear the Ephod, Breastpiece, and Turban.

They were then to make a sacrifice on the altar and eat those portions of the sacrifice that were given to the priests as their food.

 

The sacrifices were to continue for seven days to consecrate both the priests and the altar and the Tent of Meeting.

 

Chosen, Anointed, Atoned

In Exodus 29, we read about the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. They, of course, had to go to Bible College and then seminary and then interview with their denominational boards and then apply for positions at churches and…

Wait. That’s not how it went, is it? Rather, Moses allowed God to tell him who His chosen priests were going to be, and then anointed them and made sacrifices for them and installed them into their position. It really was and can be that simple.

There are three qualifications for Church leaders:

• Chosen by God
• Anointed to serve
• Atoned for by the Blood of the Sacrifice

A leader does not become a leader because they choose the position for themselves. It needs to be evident that God has chosen that person. How can you tell if they’ve been chosen by God? Look at their anointing. Has God given them the Spirit and the gifts to perform their work? And, have their sins been atoned for? Have they accepted the sacrifice of Christ on their behalf? If so, they are qualified to serve.

But let’s back up and ask why God chose Aaron to be His priest. If we look back in Exodus 3, we see God sending Aaron to meet Moses and assist him in freeing the Israelites from slavery. Aaron already had a relationship with God before the work began. He was already listening to what God told him to do. As the New Testament shows us, a person doesn’t become a leader as soon as they become a Christian. They need to be established and proven in their relationship with the Lord before the Lord calls them to serve (1 Timothy 3).

The priests also had to follow God’s instructions, just as ministers today need to follow Scripture – they can’t make up their own rules – but it didn’t take years of schooling for Aaron and his sons to learn what they needed to know. Rather, they received God’s instruction, and began practicing it immediately.