What does "anoint, ordain, and consecrate" reveal about God's expectations for His priests? The Verse in Focus “After you put these garments on your brother Aaron and on his sons, anoint and ordain them and consecrate them, so that they may serve Me as priests.” (Exodus 28:41) Three Powerful Verbs • anoint (Heb. māšaḥ) – to smear with oil, signaling divine choice and empowerment • ordain (Heb. mālēʾ yad, lit. “fill the hand”) – to install into office, equipping with everything needed for service • consecrate (Heb. qāḏaš) – to set apart as holy, separating from common use to God’s exclusive purpose Anoint: Marked by Divine Choice • God alone selects His priests (1 Samuel 16:13). • Oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit’s enabling (Leviticus 8:12; 2 Corinthians 1:21). • Expectation: They minister not in human strength but under God’s Spirit. Ordain: Positioned for Service • “Fill the hand” implies hands busy with sacred duties (Leviticus 8:33). • Installation involves sacrifices, showing service flows from atonement (Hebrews 5:1). • Expectation: Active, obedient ministry that meets people’s needs before God. Consecrate: Set Apart for Holiness • Separation from ordinary life (Leviticus 20:7–8). • Continuous purity safeguards worship (Exodus 30:30–31). • Expectation: Personal holiness that reflects God’s character (1 Peter 1:15-16). God’s Expectations Summarized – Divine selection: priests do not appoint themselves. – Spirit-empowered service: anointing equips for every task. – Full engagement: ordained hands stay occupied with holy work. – Distinctive holiness: consecration demands moral and ritual purity. – Mediatory role: they stand between God and people, offering sacrifices and intercession (Numbers 16:46-48). Patterns for Today • Believers are called “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9); God still anoints (1 John 2:20), ordains (John 15:16), and consecrates (Hebrews 10:10). • Service must remain Spirit-led, active, and holy. • The timeless trio—anoint, ordain, consecrate—reminds every servant that God equips, assigns, and sets apart those who will draw others to Him. |
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