Now that the instructions for the main sacrifices have been explained, it is time for Aaron and his sons to be consecrated into the priesthood. There is so much symbolism here – Aaron’s special clothing that set him apart from everyone else, the washing that represented spiritual cleansing, the anointing which represented the power of the Holy Spirit – but let us focus today on one ritual that may seem strange to our modern understanding.

After anointing them with oil, a representation of the Holy Spirit, verses 23-24 describe how Moses put a little of the blood of the sacrifice on the ears, hands and feet of Aaron and his sons. The blood represents atonement – literally, putting right what sin has put wrong. Today we speak of the blood of Jesus, shed for our atonement and reconciliation.

By placing the sacrificial blood on those specific parts of Aaron’s body, Moses creates for us a very visual reminder of how the reconciliation with God that we receive through the shed blood of Jesus Christ should change the way we live our lives.

The blood on the ear reminds us of the importance of hearing the Word of God; the blood on the hand reminds us of the importance of acting on that Word; the blood on the foot reminds us of the need to walk faithfully along the narrow path that leads to life – faith and deeds, hand in hand to the glory of God.

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NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH