CONSECRATION OF THE PRIESTS, DCLM CHILDREN SEARCH
LESSON 15
Last week, we looked at ‘’Laws Regulating Various Sacrifices’’. In this study, lesson 67, we will learn about ‘’Consecration of the Priests’’
Leviticus 8:1-36; 9:1-24.
Priests were the people chosen to offer sacrifices to God in the Old Testament. They represented the people before God and offered to set apart someone for God’s use. Priests were called by God and they were consecrated before they perform their duties. The Lord ordained some specific ceremonies and sacrifices for the consecration of the priests which lasted seven days. The priestly system of the Jews was a picture of Christ who was to come.
The priesthood symbolized our great High Priest (Jesus Christ) who offered Himself as the final sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 10:10-12).
The term priest also applies to believers today (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6).
All true children of God are now kings and priests unto God. As priests, they are saved, sanctified, and have free access to the throne of God to offer their sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. To be useful today as priests, we must surrender everything to God.
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THE CALL OF AARON AND HIS SONS
Leviticus 8:1-6; Exodus 29:4.
Aaron and his sons were divinely appointed by God to serve as priests. They were the first people to be consecrated as priests in Israel. They were not called by man. Even so, our calling and election as priests came not from anyone but by divine grace as it is written, “And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron“ (Hebrews 5:4).
As priests, Aaron and his sons surrendered their lives to God. Having been chosen, Aaron and his sons were at God’s command, and that brought them near to God. No child can come to Christ except God draws him. We are drawn near to God by the blood of Jesus who paid the price for our salvation. He is inviting you to come to Him today.
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THE CONSECRATION OF THE PRIESTS
Leviticus 8:6-36; Exodus 29:1-37.
The Lord gave instructions concerning the ceremonies that were needed to qualify Aaron and his sons as priests and by extension the priests of today, that is, the children of God. Although the actual ceremonies have been abolished, their spiritual implications remain. There were three steps in the ceremony:
Firstly, the Priests were to be washed. God commanded Moses that Aaron and his sons be washed with water. To be a priest of God, we must be saved through the washing of our sins by the blood of Jesus, “…be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD” (Isaiah 52:11).
Secondly, after being washed, the priests were clothed. They were to put away their own garments and be dressed in new ones which were appropriate for their new assignment. They were to put on what was given to them by God through Moses. This clothing of the priest represents the garment of righteousness of the saints. Children are to “...put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:10). This is because no child can serve God acceptably in his own righteousness as such righteousness is as filthy rags before God. The special clothes were absolutely necessary because no priest was allowed to offer sacrifices without the appointed garment (Exodus 28:3,4).
Lastly, the priests were anointed with oil to set them apart for God’s use. This anointing represents the power of the Holy Spirit upon the children of God today. We cannot serve God effectively without the power of the Holy Spirit. To be baptized with the Holy Spirit, a sinful child must repent, turn from his bad ways, receive forgiveness, and accept Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour. After this, he will press further to pray for the sanctification of his heart. When he is sanctified, it will be easy for him to pray and receive the Holy Ghost’s power.
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COMMITMENT AND SERVICE OF THE PRIESTS
Leviticus 9:1-24
God gave instructions concerning the work of Aaron as the high priest and the duties of the priesthood in general. A priest was someone who stood before God as a representative of the people.
(i) They were to burn incense, supervise the candlestick and the table of the shewbread, offer sacrifices on the altar, bless the people, and teach them the law.
(ii) The priest acted as intercessor before God on behalf of the people. They teach the people the will of God and take the people’s sinfulness before God. In doing this, they will make sacrifices for the cleansing of their sins and that of the people (Hebrews 9:6-8). Aaron and his children were committed to what God has called them to do.
Today, believers do not have to make sacrifices anymore. Jesus is our great High Priest. He has offered Himself as the perfect Sacrifice for us (Hebrews 9:23-26). He sympathizes with our weakness (Hebrews 4:15), appears in God’s presence on our behalf (Hebrews 9:24), brings us complete salvation (Hebrews 10:14) and makes it possible for us to draw near to God, our heavenly Father (Hebrews 4:16; 6:19,20).
We need no other sacrifice; Jesus has paid it and has opened the door for everyone to come in and become priests unto God. Do not delay. Surrender your life to Christ now and serve Him faithfully till the end.
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW
- Who is a priest in the Old Testament?
- Who is our High Priest today?
- List the duties of the priests.
- What were the steps involved in the consecration of the priests?
- What should a sinner do to become a priest in God’s kingdom?
MEMORY VERSE: “And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation in seven days until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you” (Leviticus 8:33).
LESSON: God demands that every child should surrender his/her heart, time, and talents for His use.
THOUGHT: I have surrendered myself completely to serve God all the days of my life.
ACTIVITY: Children should discuss the ways they can consecrate their lives and time to serve God.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 87- Take My Life
CHORUS:
- When He Calls Me, I will answer
- I have decided to follow Jesus
- Open my eyes oh Lord!
HOMEWORK: As a priest in God’s vinegar, children should go out and preach to the sinners in their neighbourhood this week.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH: Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary.
- Consecration
- Priesthood
- Intercessors
- Sympathize
- Anointed
Read this article in French here
