What New Testament passages connect to the purification theme in Exodus 29:17? Purification in Exodus 29:17 “Then you are to cut the ram into pieces, wash the inner parts and legs, and place them with its head and other pieces.” • The priestly ram is dismembered, and the innards and legs are washed—an outward, visible symbol that God requires both internal and external purity before the offering is consumed on the altar. • The scene anticipates a fuller cleansing that would one day reach the conscience, not just the body. New Testament Echoes of Priestly Washing “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” • Sprinkled hearts and washed bodies link directly to the ordination washings in Exodus, showing that Christ’s blood and the new-covenant “water” complete what the ram’s cleansing only pictured. “For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, how much more will the blood of Christ… purify our consciences from dead works to serve the living God!” • The internal organs in Exodus had to be washed; Hebrews says Christ purifies the conscience itself. “…chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling of His blood.” • The Exodus sprinkling and washing become a Trinitarian work of sanctification. “He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” • “Washing” now refers to new birth—the inner man cleansed, not merely the ram’s legs. “…Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word…” • The bride of Christ undergoes a priest-like consecration, echoing the ram’s washing. “…you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” • Past-tense certainty: the believer’s purification is as complete as the ram once was before the altar. Water and Blood Flowing from the Cross “One of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.” • Blood and water together remind us that the final sacrifice both atones (blood) and purifies (water), fulfilling Exodus 29 in one act. “They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” • Priestly garments once splattered with sacrificial blood are now sparkling white, showing the perfect, penetrating cleanse Christ supplies. “…To Him who loves us and has washed us from our sins by His blood and has made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father…” • Believers become the very priests Exodus 29 prepared for, already washed by a better sacrifice. Daily Cleansing for Ongoing Fellowship “Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.’… ‘He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean.’” • Initial full cleansing (the “bath”) reflects salvation; repeated foot-washing parallels continual priestly purity as we serve. “…the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” • A perpetual verb in Greek—Jesus keeps on cleansing, just as the priestly washings were repeatedly required. Putting It All Together • Exodus 29:17’s washed inner parts anticipate a deeper work: Christ cleansing the heart (Hebrews 9:14; 10:22). • The priest’s physical washing finds its spiritual counterpart in regeneration (Titus 3:5) and sanctification (1 Corinthians 6:11). • Blood and water converge at Calvary (John 19:34), completing every shadow of Exodus. • Because we are now washed priests (Revelation 1:5-6), we draw near with confidence, serving in purity that is both positional and continually refreshed (Hebrews 10:22; 1 John 1:7). |
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