Leviticus 8:29
He also took the breast--Moses' portion of the ram of ordination--and waved it before the LORD as a wave offering, as the LORD had commanded him.
He also took the breast—Moses’ portion of the ram of ordination—

Moses received the breast because he officiated at Aaron’s and his sons’ consecration before the priesthood began functioning. In later sacrificial practice, the breast of the peace offering belonged to the priests as their appointed share. Moses’ portion therefore honored his God-given role as covenant mediator and faithful servant who carried out the ordination exactly as commanded.

Exo 29:26-28 Take the breast of the ram of Aaron’s ordination…
Num 18:18 And their meat belongs to you, just as the breast…
Lev 7:34 I have taken from the sons of Israel the breast…

and waved it before the LORD as a wave offering,

The breast was presented before the LORD in acknowledgment that it belonged first to Him. God then assigned it for the use of His servant, showing that those who ministered at the sanctuary lived from what God provided through the offerings of His people. The ordination ram established that priestly service depended upon God’s provision and acceptance, not human appointment.

Exo 29:24-25 Put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons…
Lev 7:30-31 With his own hands he is to bring the food offerings…
Num 18:11 And this is yours as well: the offering of their gifts…

as the LORD had commanded him.

Moses did not alter the ceremony or claim authority over its details. His obedience preserved the holiness of the priesthood and demonstrated that access to God must come according to God’s revealed way. Aaron and his sons entered their office under the authority of the LORD, foreshadowing the perfect obedience of Christ, the final High Priest.

Exo 40:16-19 Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded him.…
Exo 39:42-43 The Israelites had done all the work just as the LORD…
Num 8:20-22 So Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation of Israel…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to give them His laws. In Leviticus 8, Moses is acting as the mediator between God and the people, performing the consecration of Aaron and his sons.

2. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. In this chapter, Aaron is being consecrated for his priestly duties.

3. Aaron's Sons
They are being consecrated alongside Aaron to serve as priests in the tabernacle.

4. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence among the Israelites, where the consecration ceremony takes place.

5. The Ram of Ordination
A sacrificial animal used in the consecration ceremony, symbolizing dedication and service to God.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
Moses' adherence to God's instructions for the consecration ceremony underscores the importance of obedience in our walk with God. Just as Moses followed God's commands precisely, we are called to live according to His Word.

The Role of Sacrifice
The offering of the ram of ordination highlights the necessity of sacrifice in our relationship with God. It points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who consecrates us through His blood.

Priestly Service
Aaron and his sons were set apart for service to God, reminding us that as believers, we are also called to serve God and others in our daily lives.

Holiness and Dedication
The consecration ceremony emphasizes the holiness required of those who serve God. We are called to live lives that are set apart and dedicated to His purposes.

Symbolism of the Right Thigh
The right thigh of the ram, given to Moses, symbolizes strength and support. It reminds us that our strength comes from God and that we are to support one another in our spiritual journey.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the consecration of Aaron and his sons in Leviticus 8:29 reflect the importance of obedience to God's commands in our own lives?

2. In what ways does the sacrificial system in Leviticus point to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and how can this understanding deepen our appreciation for His work on the cross?

3. How can we, as a "royal priesthood," apply the principles of priestly service and dedication in our everyday lives?

4. What does the symbolism of the right thigh in the consecration ceremony teach us about the source of our strength and support in our spiritual walk?

5. How can the process of consecration in Leviticus 8 inspire us to pursue holiness and dedication in our relationship with God today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 29
This chapter provides the instructions for the consecration of the priests, which are being carried out in Leviticus 8. It highlights the continuity and fulfillment of God's commands.

Hebrews 7
This New Testament passage discusses the priesthood of Jesus Christ, drawing parallels between the Levitical priesthood and the eternal priesthood of Christ.

1 Peter 2:9
This verse speaks of believers as a "royal priesthood," connecting the Old Testament priesthood to the New Testament calling of all believers to serve God.
Priestly ConsecrationR.M. Edgar Leviticus 8:1-36
Aaron and His ConsecrationJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Leviticus 8:2-30
Clothed and Anointed for ServiceLeviticus 8:2-30
Divine Institution of MinistryBp. Babington.Leviticus 8:2-30
LessonsA. Willet, D. D.Leviticus 8:2-30
Priests Versus PriestismW. H, Jellie.Leviticus 8:2-30
Qualifications and Ministries Of. God's PriestsW. H. Jellie.Leviticus 8:2-30
The Altar and the LaverLeviticus 8:2-30
The Calling of the PriestsW. H. Jellie.Leviticus 8:2-30
The Consecration of Aaron's SonsA. Willet, D. D.Leviticus 8:2-30
The Essential Significance of the PriesthoodA. Cave, D. D.Leviticus 8:2-30
The Main Ideas Symbolised in the Vestments of the High PriestJ. M. Gibson, D. D.Leviticus 8:2-30
The Separation of Aaron and His SonsJ. M. Gibson, D. D.Leviticus 8:2-30
The Spiritual Signification of Aaron's AnointingA. Willet, D. D.Leviticus 8:2-30
Equipment for Special WorkW. Clarkson Leviticus 8:6, 8, 23, 24, 30
The Sacrifices of ConsecrationR.A. Redford Leviticus 8:13-36
The Triple OfferingS.R. Aldridge Leviticus 8:14-30
The Ram of ConsecrationJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 8:22-36
People
Aaron, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Breast, Commanded, Consecration, Consecrations, Moses's, Offering, Orders, Ordination, Portion, Presented, Priest's, Ram, Share, Sheep, Taketh, Wave, Waved, Wave-offering, Waveth, Waving
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 8:29

     5140   breasts

Leviticus 8:22-30

     4681   ram
     6616   atonement, in OT

Leviticus 8:27-29

     7480   wave offering

Library
The True Aaron Lev 8:7-9

John Newton—Olney Hymns

An Advance in the Exhortation.
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which He dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; and having a great Priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our body washed with pure water: let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for He is faithful that promised: and let us consider
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Our Lord's Prayer for his People's Sanctification
In this wonderful prayer, our Lord, as our great High Priest, appears to enter upon that perpetual office of intercession which he is now exercising at the right hand of the Father. Our Lord ever seemed, in the eagerness of his love, to be anticipating his work. Before he was set apart for his life-work, by the descent of the Holy Ghost upon him, he must needs be about his Father's business; before he finally suffered at the hands of cruel men, he had a baptism to be baptized with, and he was straitened
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 4. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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