Exodus 29:31 Study Bible: "You shall take the ram of consecration, and boil its flesh in a holy place.

◄ Exodus 29:31 ►

You are to take the ram of ordination and boil its flesh in a holy place.

You are to take the ram of ordination
The ram of ordination is part of the consecration ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests. This ritual signifies their dedication to God’s service. The use of a ram, a valuable animal, underscores the importance of the priestly office. The ordination process is detailed in Exodus 29 and Leviticus 8, highlighting the seriousness and sanctity of the priesthood. The ram symbolizes substitutionary sacrifice, pointing to Christ as the ultimate High Priest and sacrificial Lamb (Hebrews 7:26-28).

and boil its flesh
Boiling the flesh of the ram is a specific instruction that sets this offering apart from others that are typically burned. This method of preparation indicates a communal meal, a fellowship aspect of the sacrifice. It reflects the peace offerings where the meat was shared, symbolizing communion with God. This act prefigures the fellowship believers have with God through Christ, who invites us to partake in the spiritual feast (Revelation 3:20).

in a holy place
The holy place refers to the tabernacle or a designated area within the camp that is set apart for sacred purposes. This requirement emphasizes the sanctity of the ordination process and the need for purity in worship. The concept of holiness is central to the Levitical laws, underscoring God's holiness and the call for His people to be holy (Leviticus 19:2). This setting foreshadows the holiness required in the New Covenant, where believers are called to be temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who is receiving instructions from God on how to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests.

2. Aaron and his sons
The first priests of Israel, who are being consecrated for their service in the tabernacle.

3. The Ram of Ordination
A sacrificial animal used in the consecration ceremony of the priests.

4. Holy Place
The designated area where the sacrificial meat is to be boiled, signifying the sacredness of the act.

5. Consecration Ceremony
A series of rituals and sacrifices to set apart Aaron and his sons for priestly service.

Teaching Points

Holiness in Service
The act of boiling the ram's flesh in a holy place underscores the importance of holiness in service to God. As believers, we are called to serve God with purity and dedication.

Obedience to God's Instructions
The detailed instructions given to Moses highlight the necessity of obedience in our walk with God. We must be diligent in following His Word and commands.

Symbolism of Sacrifice
The ram of ordination symbolizes the need for sacrifice in consecration. In our lives, we are called to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.

Priestly Identity
Just as Aaron and his sons were set apart for priestly duties, believers today are called to embrace their identity as a royal priesthood, serving God and others.

Sacred Spaces
The command to boil the flesh in a holy place reminds us of the importance of creating sacred spaces in our lives where we can meet with God and grow in our faith.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests relate to our identity as a "royal priesthood" in the New Testament?

2. What does the act of boiling the ram's flesh in a holy place teach us about the importance of holiness in our daily lives?

3. In what ways can we create sacred spaces in our lives to meet with God and grow spiritually?

4. How can we apply the principle of obedience to God's instructions in our modern context?

5. What sacrifices might God be calling you to make in order to live a life consecrated to Him? How can you practically implement this in your daily routine?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 8
Provides a detailed account of the ordination ceremony, including the boiling of the ram's flesh, emphasizing the importance of following God's instructions for consecration.

Hebrews 7
Discusses the priesthood of Jesus Christ, drawing parallels between the Old Testament priesthood and the eternal priesthood of Christ.

1 Peter 2:9
Refers to believers as a "royal priesthood," connecting the Old Testament priesthood to the New Testament concept of all believers being set apart for God's service.

Sermons

The Rites of Consecration for the Priesthood	J. Orr	Exodus 29:1-33
The Consecration of Priests	Spurgeon, Charles Haddon	Exodus 29:1-37

People

Aaron, Ephah, Israelites, Moses

Places

Egypt, Mount Sinai

Topics

Boil, Boiled, Consecration, Cook, Cooked, Flesh, Hast, Holy, Meat, Offering, Ordination, Ram, Sacred, Seethe, Sheep, Wave

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Exodus 29:31

Exodus 29:1-34

Exodus 29:29-46

Exodus 29:31-33

Exodus 29:31-34

4476 meals
4478 meat

Library

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

Eighth Day. Holiness and Indwelling.
And let them make me a holy place, that I may dwell among them.'--Ex. xxv. 8. 'And the tent shall be sanctified by my glory, and I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.'--Ex. xxix. 43, 45. The Presence of God makes holy, even when it descends but for a little while, as at Horeb, in the burning bush. How much more must that Presence make holy the place where it dwells, where it fixes its permanent abode! So much is this the case, that the place where God dwells …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Thirtieth Day. The Unction from the Holy One.
And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all things. And as for you, the anointing which ye received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as His anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in Him.'--1 John ii. 20, 27. In the revelation by Moses of God's Holiness and His way of making holy, the priests, and specially the high priests, were the chief expression of God's Holiness in man. …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory.
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord! among the gods? Who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou in Thy mercy hast led Thy people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to the habitation of Thy holiness ... The holy place, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.' --Ex. xv. 11-17. In these words we have another step in advance in the revelation of Holiness. We have here for the first time Holiness predicated of God Himself. He …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

That the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action.
The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Twenty-Fourth Day. Holiness and Cleansing.
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.'--2 Cor. vii. 1. That holiness is more than cleansing, and must be preceded by it, is taught us in more than one passage of the New Testament. 'Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself up for it, that He might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word.' 'If a man cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;'
An holy priesthood;' Or, The Ministry of Intercession. An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--I Peter ii. 5. Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord.'--Isaiah lxi. 6. THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me: because the Lord hath anointed me.' These are the words of Jesus in Isaiah. As the fruit of His work all redeemed ones are priests, fellow-partakers with Him of His anointing with the Spirit as High Priest. Like the precious ointment upon …
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

Man's Inability to Keep the Moral Law
Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but does daily break them, in thought, word, and deed. In many things we offend all.' James 3: 2. Man in his primitive state of innocence, was endowed with ability to keep the whole moral law. He had rectitude of mind, sanctity of will, and perfection of power. He had the copy of God's law written on his heart; no sooner did God command but he obeyed. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

John's First Testimony to Jesus.
(Bethany Beyond Jordan, February, a.d. 27.) ^D John I. 19-34. ^d 19 And this is the witness of John [John had been sent to testify, "and" this is the matter of his testimony], when the Jews [The term "Jews" is used seventy times by John to describe the ruling classes of Judæa] sent unto him [In thus sending an embassy they honored John more than they ever honored Christ. They looked upon John as a priest and Judæan, but upon Jesus as a carpenter and Galilæan. It is probable that …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Covenant of Works
Q-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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