Scripture to Read: Exodus 40:12–16
n Exodus 40:12–16, God told Moses that Aaron and Aaron’s sons must first be washed. Then, Aaron and his sons must wear the clothes that God had told them must be worn to enter His Tabernacle. Then, Aaron and his sons were to be anointed so that they could fulfill their priestly duties. God even told Moses, in Exodus 40:15, “and you shall anoint them even as you have anointed their father, that they may minister as priests to Me; and their anointing will qualify them for a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.” The full description of this cleansing (consecrating ceremony) of the priests, Aaron and his sons, can be found in Leviticus 8 and 9. Many theologians believe that this first washing of Aaron and his sons was a complete immersion under the water for the cleansing of their entire bodies. That cleaning only occurred that first time, and then Aaron and his sons would only be required to wash their hands and feet before entering the Tabernacle. This complete cleansing of the priests is a beautiful picture of Christ’s complete cleansing of us from all our sins when we surrendered to Him as Lord. But we still confess sins daily to our Lord to stay in right fellowship with Him. Though we know Christ’s blood completely cleanses us, we do not want to break our fellowship with Him due to unrepentant sin. Just as God qualified Aaron and his sons for a perpetual priesthood (Exodus 40:15), we’ve been qualified through Christ as an eternal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9–10).
Challenge & Application
· Why was cleaning necessary for Aaron and his sons before beginning their roles as priests?
· How has God completely cleansed all Christians, and what keeps us in right fellowship with our Lord each day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!