How does Exodus 29:22 illustrate the importance of consecration in our lives today? The Ram of Ordination: A Picture of Total Consecration “Take from the ram the fat, the fat tail, the fat covering the entrails, the kidneys and the fat on them, and the right thigh, for this is a ram of ordination.” (Exodus 29:22) Layers of Meaning in the Fat and Right Thigh • Fat in the ancient Near East symbolized richness and abundance—God reserves the best for Himself (Leviticus 3:16). • The right thigh signified strength and authority, offered as a tribute of loyalty. • Together, these parts visualized every dimension—abundance, energy, strength—surrendered to the Lord. Consecration Then, Consecration Now • God demands what is “choice” in us, not leftovers (Proverbs 3:9). • Ordination required a priest to be set apart entirely; believers today are a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). • Just as the fat was burned and lifted in smoke, our lives are to rise as a “pleasing aroma” (Ephesians 5:2). New-Covenant Echoes • Romans 12:1 — Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, “holy and pleasing to God.” • Hebrews 10:10 — “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” • 1 Thessalonians 5:23 — God’s will is to “sanctify you entirely… spirit, soul, and body.” Living the Lesson Today • Give God the best portion of time, talents, and treasures. • Invite Him into hidden places—the “inner fat” of motives and desires. • Submit strength and influence—the “right thigh”—to advance His purposes, not personal agendas. • Expect transformation: consecration always precedes usefulness (2 Timothy 2:21). Practical Takeaways • Start the day offering yourself aloud to God—mind, emotions, will. • Schedule a weekly “altar time” to examine any un-surrendered area. • Redirect praise you receive back to Him immediately, guarding His glory. • Celebrate small acts of obedience; they keep the sacrificial fire burning. |
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