What is the meaning of Exodus 29:22? Take the fat from the ram Exodus 29:22 begins, “Take the fat from the ram….” In every animal sacrifice, God asked for the choicest portion first. Leviticus 3:16 declares, “All the fat belongs to the LORD.” • Fat symbolized richness, energy, and the very best of the animal. By laying it on the altar, Israel acknowledged that the best belongs to God. • In the ordination ceremony (Exodus 29:1–37; Leviticus 8:22–29), this first act set the tone: priests were to give God pre-eminence in all things, just as the later High Priest, Christ, gave Himself completely (Hebrews 9:14). The fat tail Middle Eastern sheep often carried a heavy, nutrient-packed tail. Leviticus 3:9 specifies that this unique portion be offered in peace offerings. • The fat tail represented abundance. Bringing it to the altar reminded Israel that every good gift comes from the LORD (Deuteronomy 8:10,18). • Its placement on the altar pictured giving the “overflow” of one’s life back to God—an attitude echoed in Proverbs 3:9: “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest.” The fat covering the entrails God next required “the fat covering the entrails.” Leviticus 4:8–9 shows the same instruction for sin offerings. • This interior fat was hidden from human eyes yet fully known to God, signifying that consecration is not merely outward. Psalm 51:6 says, “Surely You desire truth in the inmost being.” • By burning this unseen fat, the priests pledged that their inner motives—and later Israel’s hearts—would be laid bare before the LORD (Hebrews 4:13). The lobe of the liver The “lobe of the liver” (literally the fatty appendage attached to the liver) was next. In every sacrificial animal the liver lobe was set apart for God (Leviticus 8:16). • The liver, a vital organ that cleanses the blood, pointed to purification. Isaiah 53:10 reminds us that Messiah would become a “guilt offering,” cleansing the people at the deepest level. • Placing this lobe on the altar foreshadowed the thorough cleansing Christ would provide, removing impurity at its source (1 John 1:7). Both kidneys with the fat on them Kidneys were viewed as the seat of hidden thoughts and emotions. Jeremiah 17:10 says, “I, the LORD, search the heart and examine the mind [literally ‘kidneys’].” • By surrendering the kidneys, the priests acknowledged that even their secret intentions belonged to God. • For believers today the lesson is clear: “Search me, O God, and know my heart… and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23–24). And the right thigh (since this is a ram for ordination) Finally, God commands the right thigh to be taken. Exodus 29:27 explains that this thigh would be waved before the LORD, then given to the priests as their portion. • The right side symbolized strength and honor (Psalm 110:1). By waving the thigh, the priests publicly dedicated their strength to God’s service. • Sharing that same thigh for food illustrated fellowship: the priests ate what was first offered to God, prefiguring our communion with Christ, the once-for-all offering (1 Corinthians 10:16). summary Exodus 29:22 teaches that ordination begins with giving God the very best and the very deepest parts. Each specified piece—fat, tail, inward coverings, liver lobe, kidneys, right thigh—highlights a facet of total consecration: • The best (fat) is His. • Abundance (fat tail) is His. • Hidden motives (inner fat) are His. • Cleansing (liver lobe) is His. • Secret thoughts (kidneys) are His. • Strength and service (right thigh) are His. For ancient priests and for every believer today, true ministry starts with yielding every part of life to the LORD who provided the perfect sacrificial Lamb. |
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