DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- CONSECRATED TO MINISTRY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – CONSECRATION TO MINISTRY

"And this is what you shall do to them (Aaron and his sons) to hallow them for ministering to Me as priests……" (Exodus 29:1a)

Aaron and his sons were to be hallowed – sanctified, consecrated, or set apart – to be priests. There was a ritual or ceremony for this consecration. They were to kill a ram, and then anoint themselves with its blood on their ear, on the right thumb and right big toe. Scripture does not interpret this ceremony for us except that it was a requisite consecration of Aaron and his sons for doing spiritual ministry as priests. So we are left to wonder.

In my own assessment, I wonder if it is not a metaphor of God's people, as priests, to be consecrated from head to toe. The word "minister" is simply serving the Lord and other people.

First is the ear. There are so many voices and ideas clamoring to be heard, that if I am not careful, I can be drawn astray. Many of the things we hear are not from God's perspective. Jesus said, "Take heed what you hear." (Mark 4:24). I need to consecrate my ears to God.

Second is the thumb of the right hand. Our hands are the tools of our bodies that we do things with. Most of us are right-handed, but if you happen to be left-handed, this can apply to you as well. James admonished his Christian readers to "cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded" James 4:8). My actions can be so very fleshly, and I need to be consecrated daily.

The third anointing is the toe of the right foot. This may speak of paths we trod in our journey. There are many paths to take and not all are godly paths. I know that I need to have God's anointing on my spiritual feet that will keep me on the right road to heaven, "so you may walk in the way of goodness, and keep to the paths of righteousness" (Proverbs 2:20).

There may be other anointings which we could include. For example, I need the anointing of Jesus on my eyes. All around us are visual images that appeal to my flesh. Job said that he had made a covenant with his eyes, to guard what he looked at (Job 31:1). It's like when I walk through the checkout stand at the grocery story with all the magazines that grab my attention. Many of them are not edifying to my walk with Jesus, and I my eyes to be consecrated.

Also, I need the anointing of Jesus on my lips. Often my words do not reflect God's Word, and I need to have His consecration of my speech. As the Psalmist wrote, "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).

The hymn says, "Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to thee. Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love. Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee. Take my voice and let me sing always only for my King."

Lord Jesus, consecrate my ears to hear, my hands to do, my feet to walk, my lips to speak, and my eyes to see.

Love, Dad