In the Wilderness: Exodus 29

The ordination & consecration of the priests: Exodus 29
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They shall eat those things with which atonement was made

at their ordination and consecration...

Exodus 29:33

The dedication of the priests to service was an elaborate ceremony. Seven days of animal sacrifices, sprinkling with blood, sin offerings, burnt offerings, wave offerings, peace offerings, eating holy meals with the Lord. This was the Old Testament way.

We, in Christ, are priests, too. We have been dedicated to God's service through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, once for all. Cleansed by the sprinkling of His blood. Baptized with water. And we too eat a holy meal with the Lord as His priests.

Like the priests, we eat those things with which atonement was made at our ordination through believing trust in Jesus as our Savior.

...the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

1Corinthians 11:23-25 ESV

Jesus is the Lamb of God and the Bread of Life. In His presence, we eat of His body and drink the covenant of His blood as a means of remembering who we are in Him.

We are ordained His priests once by faith. But we repeatedly eat the holy meal as a reminder, because we are forgetful people. We need to constantly be reminded we are a people saved by grace, called to offer up our lives as living sacrifices for His use and purpose.

With the consecration of the tabernacle priests, we hear God say: I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God.

With our consecration in the new covenant we get an even better promise. His Spirit abides with us and in us. And He will never leave or forsake, those who trust in Him.

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. ..."

John 14:15-17 ESV

The priesthood of God is unique among the people of the world. We are to be set apart for His service in all we do. Consecrated to the Lord.

Have you fully embraced your role as priest?

Yesterday, we received communion during worship, the holy meal served to His priests. Reflect on your experience. Ask Him to reveal the spiritual reality which took place as you ate with Him the means of your atonement.

Amen.