How does Exodus 29:26 illustrate the importance of consecration in our lives? Key Verse “Take the breast of the ram of Aaron’s ordination, and wave it before the LORD as a wave offering, and it will be your share.” (Exodus 29:26) The Setting: A Holy Ordination • Israel’s first high priest, Aaron, is being set apart for lifelong service. • The “ram of ordination” is the final sacrifice in a series that began with a sin offering (v. 14) and a burnt offering (v. 18), showing a progression from cleansing to total devotion. • God commands that one specific portion—the breast—be lifted up in a special act called the wave offering. Consecration Highlighted: The Wave Offering • “Wave” literally means to elevate and move back and forth before the LORD, symbolizing presentation and acceptance. • By waving the breast, Moses publicly acknowledged that Aaron’s life now belonged to God alone. • God, in turn, gives the breast back to Moses—“it will be your share”—showing that what is wholly devoted to Him becomes a blessing to His people (cf. Leviticus 7:30-34). Why the Breast? Understanding the Symbol • The breast represents affections and motives—the “heart” of service (Proverbs 4:23). • God desires not mere ritual but the inward devotion that drives outward obedience (Deuteronomy 6:5). • When the most vital part is surrendered, the whole person is consecrated. Consecration for Today: Making the Connection • Believers are “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9); the ordination scene mirrors our call. • Romans 12:1: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual service of worship.” • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.” Practical Steps Toward Consecration 1. Start with cleansing—confess sin daily (1 John 1:9). 2. Offer the whole self—mind, emotions, will—like the lifted breast. 3. Sustain the offering—set apart time, talents, and treasures for God’s purposes. 4. Accept God’s portion—watch Him redistribute consecrated resources to meet needs around you. 5. Guard the devotion—live distinctly in speech, habits, and relationships (1 Peter 1:15-16). Crowning Perspective: Living Waves Before the Lord • Each act of surrender is a fresh “wave offering,” lifted before the throne. • God receives the devotion, sanctifies it, then returns it multiplied to bless others (2 Corinthians 9:10-11). • Consecration is not loss—it is the pathway to fullness, usefulness, and joy in His service (John 12:24-26). |
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