FEBRUARY 12, 2026 – PRIESTLY CONSECRATION AND DAILY OFFERINGS

READ: Ex. 29:1–46: … Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and sanctify it. And the altar shall be most holy. Whatever touches the altar must be holy …

The priestly consecration consists of acts intended to sanctify the priests for service to the LORD. First they are washed, signifying cleansing from their sins. Then Aaron puts on his official garments, by which he is consecrated and set apart for God’s service.

He is anointed with oil as a sign of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who equips him for his office. The oil is poured upon his head and flows down over his body (Ps. 133:2). Aaron’s sons then receive their garments, together with a sash and head covering.

A sin offering follows, because washing does not yet atone for sin. They lay their hands on the head of a young bull, by which their sins are symbolically transferred. The animal is slaughtered, and its blood is applied to the horns of the altar and poured out at its base.

The fat from the entrails is burned on the altar, while the flesh, skin, and dung are burned outside the camp (cf. Heb. 13:11–13). This is followed by a burnt offering of a ram, symbolizing dedication to the LORD. The priests demonstrate this by laying their hands on the head of the ram.

A second ram is slaughtered, and its blood is put on the right earlobe, right thumb, and right big toe of the priests, symbolizing the sanctification of hearing, doing, and walking.

The blood is mixed with oil and sprinkled on their bodies and garments to consecrate everything. The flesh and fat of this second ram are burned as a wave offering and a fire offering to the LORD, while the breast may be eaten by the priests.

This consecration is repeated for the following six days, resulting in seven days of atonement for the priests and the altar, by which they are continually sanctified.

Which three references to Christ’s sacrifice do you see in the sin offering?
Sing: Ps. 4:2