February 3, 2010 - Preparation For Service

Meditation on Leviticus 8

Before the priests could begin their official function, they need to be thoroughly consecrated and prepared. Aaron and his sons must be washed by water and wear their sets of holy garments. The wearing of the High Priest was glorious and magnificent which was a type of the beauty and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to Exodus 39, all the priests had to wear robe of fine linen which was a representation of the believers' covering of the robe of righteousness in Christ.

They all had to be anointed with holy oil. (a symbol of the Holy spirit) They had to offer sin offering, burnt offering and peace offering which signified that they had confessed their sins, committed themselves totally to God and was ready to have fellowship with God. They were also consecrated specially by having the blood of the lamb put on their right ears, the thumbs of the right hands and on the big toes of the right feet. The spiritual lessons of these would be the dedication of the believers to hear God's voice, to serve him with our hands and to walk according God's way.

All the materials in the sanctuary were to be consecrated for the Lord's service also. Then the priests were to present a wave offering by holding in their hands bread on top of fat and of right thigh and wave before the Lord. This could be a picture that Jesus was the bread of life who gives us strength to serve Him with our best.

Finally the priests were to eat together with the High priest in front of the tabernacle for seven days before they began their holy service. This signified that Christians had to have close fellowship with the Lord Jesus to prepare for their service. May we all who want to serve God in a special ministry do have such kind of preparation, consecration, and dedication.