◄ Exodus 30:30 ►
Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them to serve Me as priests.
Study Bible
Anoint Aaron and his sons
The act of anointing in the Old Testament signifies setting apart for a special purpose or office. In this context, Aaron and his sons are being set apart for the priesthood. Anointing with oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit's empowerment and presence. This practice is rooted in ancient Near Eastern customs where oil was used in religious and royal ceremonies. The anointing of Aaron and his sons marks the beginning of the Levitical priesthood, a hereditary office that would continue through their descendants. This act also prefigures the anointing of Jesus Christ, the ultimate High Priest, who was anointed by the Holy Spirit at His baptism (Matthew 3:16).

and consecrate them
Consecration involves making something or someone holy, dedicating them to God's service. This process included rituals such as washing, clothing in sacred garments, and sacrifices, as detailed in Exodus 29. The consecration of Aaron and his sons underscores the holiness required of those who serve in God's presence. It reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness, where God calls His people to be set apart from the world (Leviticus 11:44-45). This consecration is a type of the sanctification believers undergo through Christ, who makes them a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9).

to serve Me as priests
The role of the priest was to mediate between God and the people, offering sacrifices and prayers on their behalf. This priestly service was central to Israel's worship and covenant relationship with God. The priests were responsible for maintaining the tabernacle and later the temple, ensuring that the sacrificial system was carried out according to God's commands. This service points forward to Jesus Christ, who serves as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). The priesthood of Aaron and his sons is a shadow of the perfect priesthood of Christ, who offers Himself as the final sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 7:27).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Aaron
The brother of Moses, chosen by God to be the first high priest of Israel. His role was crucial in mediating between God and the Israelites.

2. Aaron's Sons
They were appointed to serve as priests alongside Aaron, continuing the priestly lineage and duties.

3. Anointing
A ceremonial act involving the application of oil, symbolizing consecration and setting apart for God's service.

4. Consecration
The act of making someone or something holy, dedicated to the service and worship of God.

5. Priesthood
The office and function of priests, who were responsible for performing sacrifices, teaching the law, and maintaining the spiritual welfare of the people.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Anointing
Anointing signifies being chosen and empowered by God for a specific purpose. In our lives, it reminds us of the Holy Spirit's role in equipping us for service.

Holiness and Consecration
Just as Aaron and his sons were consecrated, believers today are called to live holy lives, set apart for God's purposes.

Priestly Service
The priesthood involved serving others and mediating between God and people. As Christians, we are called to serve and intercede for others in prayer.

Continuity of God's Plan
The priesthood established in Exodus points to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, showing God's consistent plan for redemption and relationship with His people.

Identity and Purpose
Understanding our identity as a "royal priesthood" helps us grasp our purpose in God's kingdom, encouraging us to live out our faith actively.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the anointing of Aaron and his sons teach us about God's calling and empowerment for service?

2. How can we apply the concept of consecration in our daily lives as believers?

3. In what ways does the priesthood of Aaron foreshadow the ministry of Jesus Christ as our High Priest?

4. How does understanding our identity as a "royal priesthood" influence our interactions with others and our service to God?

5. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are living lives that are set apart and holy, dedicated to God's service?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 8
Describes the detailed process of the consecration of Aaron and his sons, emphasizing the importance of holiness and obedience in their service.

Hebrews 5
Discusses the role of Jesus as the ultimate High Priest, drawing parallels to the priesthood of Aaron but highlighting the superiority of Christ's eternal priesthood.

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 Golden Altar and the PerfumeJ. Orr Exodus 30:1-11, 34-38
The Laver and the Anointing OilJ. Orr Exodus 30:17-34
The Anointing OilC. Simeon, M. A.Exodus 30:22-33
The Holy Anointing OilJ. Spencer.Exodus 30:22-33
The Holy Anointing OilJ. G. Murphy, LL. D.Exodus 30:22-33
The Use of Oil in Daily Life and in the Symbolism of WorshipJ. H. Kurtz, D. D.Exodus 30:22-33
People
Aaron, Israelites, Moses
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Aaron, Anoint, Consecrate, Hallow, Hast, Holy, Making, Minister, Office, Oil, Priests, Priest's, Sanctified, Sanctify, Serve, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 30:30

     7377   high priest, OT
     7745   ordination

Exodus 30:22-33

     4492   olive
     7304   anointing

Exodus 30:23-33

     4488   oil

Exodus 30:25-30

     8270   holiness, set apart

Exodus 30:29-30

     8218   consecration

Exodus 30:30-32

     7767   priests, OT institution

Library
The Altar of Incense
'Thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon.' --EXODUS xxx. 1. Ceremonies are embodied thoughts. Religious ceremonies are moulded by, and seek to express, the worshipper's conception of his God, and his own relation to Him; his aspirations and his need. Of late years scholars have been busy studying the religions of the more backward races, and explaining rude and repulsive rites by pointing to the often profound and sometimes beautiful ideas underlying them. When that process is applied to Australian …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Ransom for Souls --I.
Then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul.' --EXODUS xxx. 12. This remarkable provision had a religious intention. Connect it with the tax-money which Peter found in the fish's mouth. I. Its meaning. Try to realise an Israelite's thoughts at the census. 'I am enrolled among the people and army of God: am I worthy? What am I, to serve so holy a God?' The payment was meant-- (a) To excite the sense of sin. This should be present in all approach to God, in all service; accompanying the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Ransom for Souls --ii.
'The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel....'--EXODUS xxx. 15. This tax was exacted on numbering the people. It was a very small amount, about fifteen pence, so it was clearly symbolical in its significance. Notice-- I. The broad principle of equality of all souls in the sight of God. Contrast the reign of caste and class in heathendom with the democracy of Judaism and of Christianity. II. The universal sinfulness. Payment of the tax was a confession that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"Whereby we Cry, Abba, Father. "
Rom. viii. 15.--"Whereby we cry, Abba, Father." As there is a light of grace in bestowing such incomparably high dignities and excellent gifts on poor sinners, such as, to make them the sons of God who were the children of the devil, and heirs of a kingdom who were heirs of wrath; so there is a depth of wisdom in the Lord's allowance and manner of dispensing his love and grace in this life. For though the love be wonderful, that we should be called the sons of God; yet, as that apostle speaks, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Jesus Pays the Tribute Money.
(Capernaum, Autumn, a.d. 29) ^A Matt. XVII. 24-27. ^a 24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received the half-shekel came to Peter, and said, Doth not your teacher pay the half-shekel? [The law of Moses required from every male of twenty years and upward the payment of a tax of half a shekel for the support of the temple (Ex. xxx. 12-16; II. Chron. xxiv. 5, 6). This tax was collected annually. We are told that a dispute existed between the Pharisees and Sadducees as to whether the payment …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

How a Private Man must Begin the Morning with Piety.
As soon as ever thou awakest in the morning, keep the door of thy heart fast shut, that no earthly thought may enter, before that God come in first; and let him, before all others, have the first place there. So all evil thoughts either will not dare to come in, or shall the easier be kept out; and the heart will more savour of piety and godliness all the day after; but if thy heart be not, at thy first waking, filled with some meditations of God and his word, and dressed, like the lamp in the tabernacle …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

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

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision A. Jesus Cleanses the Temple. ^D John II. 13-25. ^d 13 And the passover of the Jews was at hand [We get our information as to the length of our Lord's ministry from John's Gospel. He groups his narrative around six Jewish festivals: 1, He here mentions the first passover; 2, another feast, which we take to have been also a passover (v. 1); 3, another passover (vi. 4); 4, the feast of tabernacles (vii. 2); 5, dedication (x. 22); 6, passover (xi. 55). This …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
(at Jerusalem. Probably b.c. 6.) ^C Luke I. 5-25. ^c 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa [a Jewish proselyte, an Idumæan or Edomite by birth, founder of the Herodian family, king of Judæa from b.c. 40 to a.d. 4, made such by the Roman Senate on the recommendation of Mark Antony and Octavius Cæsar], a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course [David divided the priests into twenty-four bodies or courses, each course serving in rotation one week in the temple …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Last Events in Galilee - the Tribute-Money, the Dispute by the Way, the Forbidding of Him who could not Follow with the Disciples, and The
Now that the Lord's retreat in the utmost borders of the land, at Cæsarea Philippi, was known to the Scribes, and that He was again surrounded and followed by the multitude, there could be no further object in His retirement. Indeed, the time was coming that He should meet that for which He had been, and was still, preparing the minds of His disciples - His Decease at Jerusalem. Accordingly, we find Him once more with His disciples in Galilee - not to abide there, [3743] nor to traverse it …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought. …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

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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