What does the ritual in Exodus 29:20 teach about holiness and dedication to God? The Setting of Exodus 29:20 • Exodus 29 records the consecration of Aaron and his sons for priestly service. • Verse 20 instructs: “Slaughter the ram, take some of its blood, and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear, on the lobes of his sons’ right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then sprinkle the remaining blood on the sides of the altar”. • This single verse provides a vivid picture of how God sets His servants apart. The Act Described 1. Blood from the sacrifice is applied to three specific body parts—ear, hand, foot. 2. The remaining blood is splashed on the altar, linking the priests to the place of atonement. 3. Each action underscores a particular dimension of holiness. What the Ear, Hand, and Foot Symbolize • Right Ear – The ear represents hearing. God first claims the priest’s ability to listen. – Cross-reference: “Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, that your soul may live” (Isaiah 55:3). • Right Hand – The hand symbolizes work and service. Every task must be sanctified. – Cross-reference: “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). • Right Foot – The foot stands for walk and conduct—daily choices, direction, lifestyle. – Cross-reference: “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (Colossians 1:10). Together these parts picture total consecration: what we hear, what we do, and where we go. The Centrality of the Blood • Blood signifies life given in substitution (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22). • By marking the priests, the blood declares them purified and protected to enter God’s service. • The sprinkled blood on the altar unites the priests with the sacrifice, highlighting that holiness flows from God’s provision, not human effort. Lessons on Holiness • Holiness is comprehensive—God claims every faculty. • Holiness begins with cleansing; without blood there is no approach (Hebrews 10:19-22). • Holiness is relational—being set apart to God, not merely separated from sin. Lessons on Dedication • Dedication is personal: each man received the blood individually. • Dedication is practical: listening ears, busy hands, moving feet now belong to God’s purposes. • Dedication is visible: outward signs remind both priest and people of the inward commitment. Christ the Fulfillment • Jesus, the perfect High Priest, offered His own blood once for all (Hebrews 9:12). • Through Him believers are “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9) and share the same call to consecrated ears, hands, and feet. • “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16) echoes the standard first modeled in Aaron. Living It Out Today • Tune your ear to Scripture and the Spirit. • Offer your hands in obedient service—acts of kindness, stewardship, ministry. • Walk in integrity, allowing every step to reflect the Savior’s lordship (Romans 12:1). Exodus 29:20 teaches that true holiness and dedication require a life entirely marked by the cleansing blood, wholly given over to God’s voice, God’s work, and God’s path. |
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