“And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.”
Context:The book of Exodus is the second book in the Bible and continues the narrative of the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. In this particular chapter, God gives Moses detailed instructions regarding the consecration and ordination of the priests who will serve in the tabernacle. In verse 19, we are at a significant moment during the ordination process.
Key Points:
- Sacrifice and Consecration:The verse speaks about another ram that is to be taken for the ordination process. Sacrifices were an essential part of the Old Testament rituals, and in this case, the ram plays a central role in consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests.
- Symbolic Act:When it says, “Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram,” it signifies a symbolic transfer of the priests’ sins and impurities to the ram. By laying their hands on the ram, they are identifying with the animal, representing that their sins are imputed to the sacrifice. This act foreshadows the idea of Christ taking on the sins of humanity through His sacrificial death.
- Identification and Atonement:The act of laying hands on the ram symbolizes identification and substitution. The ram takes the place of the priests, bearing the weight of their guilt and shortcomings. This identification points to the concept of atonement-being made right with God through a mediator.
- Aaron and His Sons:Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first high priest, and his sons were appointed as priests under the Levitical priesthood. The ordination of the priests was a crucial moment in the establishment of the priestly system that would serve as an intermediary between God and the people.
Spiritual Application:
- Christ’s Sacrifice:The laying on of hands and the sacrificial system foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. In the New Testament, Jesus is identified as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Through His death and resurrection, He became the ultimate High Priest, making intercession for us before God.
- Identification with Christ:Just as the priests identified with the ram, believers are called to identify with Christ. We are to recognize our need for a Savior, acknowledge our sins, and place our faith in Jesus, who bore our sins on the cross. By doing so, we receive forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
- Priestly Role of Believers:In the New Testament, believers are referred to as a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). As priests, we have direct access to God through Christ and are called to intercede for others, sharing the message of reconciliation and salvation.
- Holiness and Consecration:The consecration of the priests in the Old Testament emphasizes the importance of holiness and set-apartness. Similarly, Christians are called to live holy lives, set apart for God’s purposes and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:Exodus 29:19, in the context of the consecration of priests, points to the future sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, our High Priest and Savior. The act of laying hands on the ram symbolizes identification, substitution, and atonement, which find their fulfillment in the redemptive work of Christ on the cross. As believers, we are called to identify with Christ, embrace His sacrifice, and live as a royal priesthood, set apart for God’s glory.
