The consecration-offering, also known as the ordination offering, is a significant ritual in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the Levitical priesthood. This offering is part of the broader sacrificial system instituted by God for the Israelites, serving as a means to sanctify and dedicate individuals or objects for divine service.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural basis for the consecration-offering is found in the Book of Exodus and the Book of Leviticus. In Exodus 29 and Leviticus 8, God provides Moses with detailed instructions for the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests. The process involves a series of sacrifices, including a bull for a sin offering, two rams, and unleavened bread, cakes, and wafers.

Exodus 29:22-24 describes part of the ritual: "Take from the ram the fat, the fat tail, the fat that covers the entrails, the lobe of the liver, both kidneys with the fat on them, and the right thigh (for it is a ram of ordination). Along with one loaf of bread, one cake of bread made with oil, and one wafer from the basket of unleavened bread that is before the LORD, put all these in the hands of Aaron and his sons and wave them before the LORD as a wave offering."

Purpose and Significance

The consecration-offering serves multiple purposes. Primarily, it is a means of sanctification, setting apart the priests for their sacred duties. The ritual underscores the holiness required of those who minister before God, emphasizing the need for purification and dedication.

The offering also symbolizes the complete devotion of the priests to God. By participating in the consecration ceremony, the priests acknowledge their role as mediators between God and the people, committing themselves to uphold the covenant and lead the Israelites in worship and obedience.

Components of the Offering

1. Sin Offering: The bull offered as a sin offering signifies the need for atonement. It acknowledges the inherent sinfulness of humanity and the necessity of purification before approaching God.

2. Burnt Offering: The first ram is offered as a burnt offering, symbolizing total surrender to God. The burning of the entire animal represents the complete dedication of the priests to their divine calling.

3. Ordination Offering: The second ram, known as the ram of ordination, is central to the consecration ceremony. Portions of this ram, along with unleavened bread, are waved before the Lord, signifying the priests' presentation to God for His service.

4. Wave Offering: The wave offering involves the symbolic act of presenting the offering to God and then receiving it back, indicating God's acceptance and the priests' readiness to serve.

Theological Implications

The consecration-offering highlights the holiness and separateness required of those who serve God. It reflects the broader biblical theme of sanctification, where individuals and objects are set apart for divine purposes. This offering also prefigures the ultimate consecration found in Jesus Christ, who, as the perfect High Priest, fulfills and transcends the Old Testament sacrificial system.

In the New Testament, the concept of consecration is expanded to include all believers, who are called to be a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), dedicated to serving God through their lives. The consecration-offering thus serves as a powerful reminder of the call to holiness and service that extends to all who follow Christ.

Some Helpful Thoughts on Consecration
... The blood of one of these animals was to be shed for the sin-offering; one for
the "burnt offering," and one for the "consecration" offering. ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter xi some helpful thoughts.htm

Consecration-offering (3 Occurrences)
Consecration-offering. Consecration, Consecration-offering. Consecrations .
Multi-Version Concordance Consecration-offering (3 Occurrences). ...
/c/consecration-offering.htm - 7k

Consecrations (6 Occurrences)

/c/consecrations.htm - 8k

Consecration (22 Occurrences)

/c/consecration.htm - 18k

Odour (43 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 8:28 And Moses took them from off their hands, and burned them on the
altar, over the burnt-offering: they were a consecration-offering for a sweet ...
/o/odour.htm - 20k

Peace-offering (46 Occurrences)
... 7:37 This is the law of the burnt-offering, of the meal-offering, and of the
sin-offering, and of the guilt-offering, and of the consecration-offering, and of ...
/p/peace-offering.htm - 21k

Ordination (12 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 8:28 And Moses took them from off their hands, and made them smoke on
the altar upon the burnt-offering; they were a consecration-offering for a ...
/o/ordination.htm - 19k

Oblation (208 Occurrences)
... 7:37 This is the law of the burnt-offering, of the oblation, and of the sin-offering,
and of the trespass-offering, and of the consecration-offering, and of ...
/o/oblation.htm - 40k

Entrance (190 Occurrences)
... and to his sons, Boil the flesh at the entrance of the tent of meeting; and there
eat it and the bread that is in the basket of the consecration-offering, as I ...
/e/entrance.htm - 37k

Offered (320 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 8:28 And Moses took them from off their hands, and made them smoke on
the altar upon the burnt-offering; they were a consecration-offering for a ...
/o/offered.htm - 37k

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