What is the meaning of Exodus 29:21? And take some of the blood on the altar “Then take some of the blood that is on the altar…” (Exodus 29:21) • This blood comes from the sacrificial ram already offered (Exodus 29:19–20). • Blood represents life given in substitution (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22). • The altar’s blood is already accepted by God; using it underscores that Aaron’s ministry must flow out of an atoning sacrifice, not human effort. and some of the anointing oil • Oil pictures the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence (1 Samuel 16:13; Isaiah 61:1). • Placing oil beside blood shows priestly service requires both cleansing and Spirit‐enabled consecration—pointing ahead to Christ, who comes “by water and blood” and anoints His people with the Spirit (1 John 5:6; Acts 10:38). • By combining blood and oil, God links forgiveness and empowerment in a single act. and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments • Sprinkling makes vivid that cleansing and consecration cover both the person and everything connected to the ministry he performs (Hebrews 9:19–21). • Garments symbolize office; they must mirror the inward work. God aims for holiness that is visible, not merely internal (Exodus 28:2; Revelation 19:8). as well as on his sons and their garments • Priesthood is corporate and generational. Aaron’s sons share the same need for atonement and empowerment (Numbers 25:13). • Including garments again stresses that each succeeding priest must serve in visibly consecrated ways; no one is exempt (Leviticus 8:30). • The family dimension anticipates believers as a “royal priesthood” where every member is set apart (1 Peter 2:9). Then he and his garments will be consecrated • “Consecrated” means set apart exclusively for God’s use (Leviticus 27:28). • The perfect tense in the statement underlines finality: once sprinkled, Aaron belongs entirely to the Lord. • The sequence—sacrifice first, then consecration—reveals God’s order: we cannot dedicate ourselves until sin is dealt with (Romans 12:1, grounded in Romans 11:33–36). as well as his sons and their garments • The verse closes by repeating the full scope of consecration, emphasizing completeness (Colossians 2:10). • God’s repetition reinforces His commitment to a holy priesthood now and in the future. • Ultimately, this foreshadows Jesus, the final High Priest, who sanctifies “many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10) and clothes them in righteousness (Revelation 1:5–6). summary Exodus 29:21 shows that effective ministry begins with atonement and continues through Spirit‐driven consecration. Blood from the altar secures cleansing; anointing oil supplies power. Sprinkling both elements on Aaron and his sons—on persons and garments alike—demonstrates that God claims every aspect of their lives for His service. The pattern points ahead to Jesus, whose shed blood and outpoured Spirit create a people fully set apart for the Lord. |
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