ADULT STS LESSON 56

INSTITUTION OF THE PRIESTHOOD

MEMORY VERSE: ”And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his son’s, and consecrate them, that they
may minister into me in the priest’s office” (Exodus 30:30)

TEXT: Exodus Chapters 28 to 31

In the previous chapters, God gave Moses specific instructions on the construction of the
tabernacle. The present study focuses on specific instructions to make the priestly garments,
consecration of the priests, construction of the altar of incense, laver for washing, the
composition of anointing oil as well as the regulation on the Sabbath. Also, the priests that
would minister in it were to be consecrated before receiving the regulations that would guide
their ministry. The tabernacle must be in place before the priests that would minister in it. God
sets things in order. “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).
Similarly, the priests were consecrated before receiving the regulations that would govern their
ministry. New Testament believers must first be consecrated to God to make their service
acceptable (Romans 12:1,2).

1. CHOICE OF CLOTHING AND CONSECRATION OF THE PRIEST

(Exodus 28:1-43: 29:1-46;Numbers 3:10; Zechariah 3:1-4; Hebrews 5:1-10:9:6,7)

God directed Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons into the priestly office. Aaron’s humility
is also praiseworthy. As the priest, he had to function under the leadership of his younger
brother (Exodus 7:1). Moses was also directed to make holy garments for Aaron and his sons.
These garments were to for glory, beauty holiness, honor and divine majesty. However, under
the New Testament dispensation, believers, as priests, are to go beyond adorning themselves
outwardly and put on the garments of salvation and robe of righteousness (1 Peter 2:9,10; 3:3-
5; Revelation 1:5). The clothing of the high priest, as well as his responsibilities were clearly
defined. Their dressing must match the office they occupied. Their clothing consisted of the
broidered coat, girdle and an ephod – a sleeveless garment, made of blue linen. Pomegranates
were embroidered on the lower end, alternated with golden bells, which sounded when the
high priest moved around in the sanctuary (Exodus 28:31-35; 39:22). Other items of the dressing
are the miter - a crown-like cap for the head having the inscription: "HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD"
engraved on it. The purpose of this is to emphasize the necessity of holiness, not only for the
high priest but also for the congregation. An elaborate ceremony took place at the inauguration
of the priests with much emphasis placed on purity. The candidates washed themselves,
signifying the inner purity that should mark the conduct of the ministers of God. Prophet Isaiah
put it thus; "Depart ye, depart ye.. be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD" (Isaiah
52:11). After washing, the priests were clothed and anointed. Significantly, their appointment
comes after purification. In God's order, cleansing comes before anointing, salvation before
service and purity before power. The rites of consecration were completed with offering of the
prescribed sacrifices. It is pertinent to observe the weakness of the Levitical priesthood right
from inception. The priests had to offer sacrifices for their Own sins before they could represent
others, thereby acknowledging their own sinfulness and need for pardon. They laid their hands
on the head of the sacrificial animal as a mark of transferring their guilt on a substitute. This acts
as a precursor to the role played by Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the
world (Isaiah 53:4-6; John 1:29). The Old Testament priests needed to make atonement for their
sins, but Jesus, the great High Priest of the new covenant was sinless. He needed no sacrifice for
Himself. Also, the burning of the entire animal at the consecration ceremony signified the
priests' entire dedication to God and His service throughout their lifetime. Another aspect of
the consecration service was the application of the blood of the ram of dedication to different
parts of the priests' bodies. All these are pointers to the total consecration and absolute
surrender to God characteristic of present-day believers. Details of the consecration of the
priests were designed, (1) to instill in the people the exalted views of their calling. New
Testament saints, as priests of the Holy God, should see their calling as holy, heavenly and high.
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye
should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous
light” (1 Peter 2:9). (2), it was to impress upon the priests themselves the magnitude, profundity
and importance of their assignment. Partaking of the fellowship offering also depicts
communion with God. It remainder the priests that God is the Source of their sustenance and
strength. Strangers (non-priests) were prohibited from eating of this fellowship offering. The
purification rites performed by Aaron and his sons show that holiness is a necessity for anyone
who wishes to engage in God's service.

2. COMMUNION AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE DIVINE POWER

(Exodus 30:1-21,34-38:37:25-28;38:24-31;Numbers 1:2-4;Zechariah 13:1)

After the priesthood was instituted, God gave Moses instructions to make the altar of incense
(Exodus 30:1-10). It is also called the golden altar because God's direction was for Moses to
"overlay it with pure gold". The incense represents the devotion of saints whose prayers are set
before God daily. Furthermore, Aaron's burning "therein sweet incense morning and evening"
shows that believers must be constant in prayers (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Luke 18:1). The altar of
incense placed directly in front of the Ark of the covenant represents the presence of God with
believers and His assurance to answer their prayers. The sweet smelling odour that ascended
up from the holy of holies signifies the prayers of believers ascending to God in heaven. "When
thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man
a ransom for his soul unto the LORD."(Exodus 30:12). We learn here that God requires
accountability; therefore, (1)Church leaders should be diligent to know the state of affairs
among their congregation. (2)Every man is to give a ransom. This is tribute paid to God in
appreciation for blessings received and the support of divine worship. None was excluded from
the payment of the ransom, meaning that everyone is equal regarding the need of redemption.
The rich have as much need of Christ as the poor. “The rich shall not give more, and the poor
shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an
atonement for your souls" (Exodus 30:15). Furthermore, obedience to God's instruction takes
away plague among His people while disobedience attracts divine wrath and judgment. God told
Moses to make a laver of brass or the priests to wash in and this was to be set near the door of
the tabernacle. This was to teach them purity in all their services. Believers today do not need
daily literal washing in water before they can render acceptable service to the Lord. Jesus Christ
has paid the price both for our salvation and purity. Rather, we appropriate His sacrifice by
consecrating ourselves to Him, renewing our minds in the perfect will of God daily an living in
non-conformity to the world.

3. CALL AND COMMENSURATE GIFT FOR SERVICE

(Exodus 31:1-18; 1 Kings 7:13,14; Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 56:2-7)

God drew towards a conclusion of His sundry instructions to Moses upon the mount where He
been for forty days. He revealed to Moses the detailed description and plan of the tabernacle.
Bezaleel and Aholiab were commissioned to take charge of the actual construction. This shows
that, one, there is no monopoly of God's gift, power to the and wisdom. He gives to everyone
according to t measure of grace; two, God does not want His servants to work in isolation no
matter how gifted and talented they are. They need the help of others to accomplish His
purpose. Three, He chose the persons to do the work so that there would be no contest, envy
or canal comparisons about the preferment. God is the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17; 2
Peter 1:3) Bezaleel and Aholiab were gifted in the skill of workmanship, Aaron and his sons were
called into the priesthood, and Moses was the overall head. We learn therefore, that gifts and
callings differ. Whether we are gifted or called or both, there should be no place for pride, but
humility and readiness to submit to leadership and work with one another. God "filled [Bezaleel]
with the spirit of God" (Exodus 31:3). Talents and abilities are not enough to thrive in ministry
without the Spirit of God. Immediately God gave the order that the tabernacle be set up for His
service, He reminded the children of Israel of the command for the sanctification of the Sabbath.
"Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a
sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD
that doth sanctify you... Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest,
holy to the LORD... for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he
rested, and was refreshed" (Exodus 31:13-17). However, New Testament believers are not to
observe the Sabbath (Saturday) but the Lord's Day (Sunday) for the following reasons: one, Jesus
resurrection took place on the first day of the week. Two, believers in the early Church came
together for worship on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). Three, Paul the Apostle
commanded early believers to bring their offerings on this day (1 Corinthians 16:2). Therefore,
believers are to hallow the Lord's Day. We must not engage in any personal or secular work on
this day, except those on essential duties or whose employment involves emergency services. It
is a holy day when we engage in spiritual activities such as worshipping the Lord, evangelism
and other good works. We must also ensure we give our body rest and keep the day holy unto
the Lord. "And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon
mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God" (Exodus
31:18). God gave Moses the tables of stone to preserve the record for a long time to come so
that future generations of the Israelites can refer to it. Believers are privileged to have the
Scriptures, the word of God, which written "for our learning, that we through patience and
comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4).Moreover, Christ has atoned for us
under the new covenant and the laws of God are written in the heart of those who are converted
and are guided by His Spirit. "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in t he ir
hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach
every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know
me, from the least to the greatest" (Hebrews 8:10,11).

Questions for Review:

1.Why was the tabernacle put in place before the priesthood was instituted?
2.State the significance of the garment of the priests.
3.Point out major weaknesses of the Levitical priesthood.
4.What lessons can believers learn from the altar of incense and ransom?
5.What should be the mindset of believers as they serve in their appointed offices?
6. What is the application of Sabbath day to New Testament believers and can it be observed?
7.Mention some privileges believers enjoy in the new covenant.