How can we apply the concept of sacrifice from Exodus 29:13 today? Text of Exodus 29:13 “Then take all the fat that covers the entrails, the fatty lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar.” Setting the Scene • The verse sits in the ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons. • God specifies which parts of the ram are to be burned—inner organs and their fat—symbolizing total consecration from the inside out. • Nothing is accidental; every detail points to wholehearted, inward devotion to the LORD (cf. Leviticus 3:16). What the Sacrifice Signified Back Then • Purity: inner organs represent the hidden life; burning them pictures cleansing from the deepest places. • Complete surrender: fat was the choicest part (Genesis 45:18). Giving it to God said, “You get the best.” • Pleasing aroma: the smoke rising pictured the priest’s ministry accepted before God (Exodus 29:18). Fulfilled in Christ • Jesus offered Himself “once for all” (Hebrews 7:27), satisfying every requirement symbolized in Exodus 29. • He gave not only His outward life but His inmost being: “He loved us and gave Himself for us as a fragrant offering” (Ephesians 5:2). • Because His sacrifice is complete, believers now serve as a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). Living the Principle Today Romans 12:1 calls believers to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” How? – Heart Surrender • Confess and renounce hidden sin (Psalm 139:23–24). • Guard motives and thoughts (Proverbs 4:23). • Cultivate sincerity: “You desire truth in the inmost being” (Psalm 51:6). – Offering Our “Fat” (Best Portions) • Time: prioritize worship, Scripture, fellowship. • Talents: serve with excellence in church and community (Colossians 3:23). • Treasure: generosity that honors God first (Proverbs 3:9). – Daily Worship • Praise: “continual sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15). • Good works and sharing: “for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). • Participation in the Lord’s Supper, recalling Christ’s once-for-all offering (1 Corinthians 11:26). – Relationships • Forgive as Christ forgave (Ephesians 4:32). • Love sacrificially—laying down preferences for others’ good (John 15:13). • Speak words that build up, not tear down (Ephesians 4:29). Guarding the Inner Life Just as the kidneys and liver were placed on the altar, we lay hidden thoughts and desires before God: • Private prayer and fasting keep motives pure (Matthew 6:6, 17–18). • Scripture meditation renews the mind (Psalm 1:2; Romans 12:2). • Accountability with trusted believers helps maintain integrity (James 5:16). A Life That Smells Like Worship When the best and deepest parts of our lives are placed on God’s altar, they rise as a pleasing aroma—echoing Exodus 29:13 and pointing others to the One who sacrificed Himself for us. |
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