The Consecration of Priests

Spurgeon, Charles Haddon

Exodus 29:1-37

And this is the thing that you shall do to them to hallow them, to minister to me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock…

I. THE PRIESTS WERE WASHED FIRST.

1. Regeneration.

2. Remission of sin.

II. After being washed, THE PRIESTS WERE CLOTHED. We must have the fine linen of an inward sanctification, and the outer garment for glory and for beauty, of the imputed righteousness of Christ.

1. These garments were provided for them.

2. These garments formed a complete apparel.

3. These garments were very comely to look upon.

4. The dress provided was absolutely necessary to be worn.

III. THESE PRIESTS WERE ANOINTED. Be filled with the Spirit. A man in Christ is fragrant with a holy perfume before the Lord, but out of Christ he is an unclean thing, and cannot approach the altar.

IV. They had next to SHARE IN THE SIN-OFFERING. Lift your eyes to Jesus, your ransom and substitute.

V. After the sin-offering the consecrated ones went on to take their SHARE IN THE BURNT-OFFERING. The sin-offering indicated Christ as bearing our sin, but the burnt-offering sets Him forth as presenting an acceptable offering unto the Lord.

VI. After the priests had seen for themselves the sin-offering and the burnt-offering, it was needful that they should partake of a third sacrifice, which was a PEACE-OFFERING. This was shared between the Lord and the priest or offerer. Thus it was an open declaration of the communion which had been established between God and man, so that they ate together, rejoicing in the same offering.Conclusion:

1. Do you and I offer sacrifice continually? Do we every day feel that our whole being is "Holiness unto the Lord"?

2. What have you to offer now? Bring continually of your —

(1)  Substance.

(2)  Talent.

(3)  Influence.

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