How does Exodus 29:20 foreshadow Christ's sacrificial role in the New Testament? Seeing the Scene: Exodus 29:20 “Slaughter the ram, take some of its blood, and put it on the right earlobes of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then sprinkle the rest of the blood on the sides of the altar.” The Ram as a Type of Christ • A substitutionary victim stands in the place of the priests—just as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) stands in our place. • The ram is flawless, anticipating the “unblemished and spotless” blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19). • Its blood alone secures access to God, foreshadowing Hebrews 9:22: “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Blood Applied to Ear, Hand, and Foot • Right Ear – cleansed hearing and perfect obedience – Christ’s ear was ever open to the Father (Isaiah 50:5); He could say, “I always do what pleases Him” (John 8:29). – His blood now consecrates the believer’s hearing: “He who has an ear, let him hear” (Revelation 2:7). • Right Thumb – cleansed work and service – Jesus’ hands performed only righteous works (Acts 10:38). – Hebrews 9:14 ties His blood to “dead works” being cleansed so we may “serve the living God.” • Right Big Toe – cleansed walk and direction – Christ’s earthly walk was sinless (1 Peter 2:22). – Believers are now called to “walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:2). Right-Side Emphasis and Christ’s Right-Hand Ministry • In Scripture the right side pictures strength and authority (Psalm 110:1). • After His sacrifice Jesus sat “at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3), securing eternal authority to mediate for His people. The Sprinkled Altar and the Heavenly Sanctuary • Blood on the altar completed the consecration; worship could not begin without it. • Christ, “having obtained eternal redemption,” entered “the greater and more perfect tabernacle … by His own blood” (Hebrews 9:11-12). • The earthly altar points to the heavenly one where that blood still speaks (Hebrews 12:24). Priestly Consecration and the Believer’s Calling • Aaron’s sons were made priests through blood; believers are made “a royal priesthood” through the blood of Christ (1 Peter 2:9). • The same three areas—ear, hand, foot—outline our consecrated life: – Hear His Word, – Serve with clean hands, – Walk in holiness. Summary of Foreshadowing Exodus 29:20 sketches in vivid detail what the New Testament fulfills in Christ: a flawless substitute whose blood consecrates every part of life, secures our worship, and installs us as priests under His everlasting, right-hand authority. |
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