“Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.”
Context:The book of Exodus details the journey of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to their eventual establishment as a nation with a unique covenant relationship with God. In chapters 25 to 40, God gives Moses detailed instructions on constructing the Tabernacle, which was to be a portable sanctuary where God’s presence would dwell among His people. Alongside these instructions, God also commands Moses regarding the ordination and consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests who would minister before Him in the Tabernacle.
Key Points:
- The Sacrificial Ritual: The verse speaks of a specific part of the consecration ritual that involved the blood of a ram. This ritual was a symbol of the priests’ purification and dedication to God’s service.
- Application of Blood: The blood of the sacrificed ram was used in a symbolic way to consecrate the priests. It was put on three specific body parts: the tip of the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the big toe of the right foot.
Symbolism:
- Right Ear: By applying blood to the right ear, it symbolized that the priests should be attentive to God’s voice and obedient to His commands. It signified their commitment to hear and follow God’s instructions diligently.
- Right Hand: The application of blood to the right thumb symbolized that the priests’ hands were consecrated for God’s work. Everything they do in service to God should be done with purity and dedication.
- Right Foot: By putting blood on the right big toe, it represented the priests’ readiness to walk in God’s ways and walk according to His will.
- The Altar: The blood was also sprinkled on the altar, which was the central place of sacrifice and worship in the Tabernacle. This symbolized the priests’ identification with the atonement process and their role as mediators between God and the people.
Spiritual Significance and Application:The consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests in the Old Testament holds spiritual significance and carries lessons for believers today:
- Consecration and Obedience: Just as the priests were consecrated through the application of blood, believers are consecrated through the blood of Jesus Christ, who sacrificed Himself for the forgiveness of sins. We are called to be attentive to God’s Word, obedient to His commands, and dedicated to following His will.
- Service and Ministry: The symbolic application of blood to the right hand reminds us that our hands are meant to be used for God’s work. We are called to serve others in love and to be actively engaged in fulfilling God’s purposes.
- Walking in God’s Ways: Like the blood on the right big toe, we are to walk in God’s ways and live a life of holiness, representing Him well in our actions and decisions.
- Mediators and Intercessors: While the Old Testament priests served as mediators between God and the people, believers today are also called to intercede for others and share the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
