“Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water. 5 Take the garments and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breast piece. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband. 6 Put the turban on his head and attach the sacred emblem to the turban. 7 Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head. 8 Bring his sons and dress them in tunics 9 and fasten caps on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons. The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance. Then you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.” Exodus 29:4-9 NIV “Take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head. 20 Slaughter it, take some of its blood and put it on the lobes of the right ears of Aaron and his sons, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then splash blood against the sides of the altar. 21 And take some blood from the altar and some of the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. Then he and his sons and their garments will be consecrated.” Exodus 29:19-21 NIV
Lord God Almighty,
Instructions have been given for the building of an Ark and utensils and a portable tabernacle. Now it needed the tribe of Levi to be dedicated to look after the Holy things. With Aaron responsible for it all. Lord the right ear lobe, right thumb and right big toe? The hearing, the handling and the best foot forwarding? All to be kept attuned to You and doing and walking Your way.
That is in accord with what Peter writes in his first letter to us. We are a chosen people a royal priesthood and should live such good lives, pagans may accuse us but actually see we are good. (2:9-12)
It was a very public and yet very personal anointing for these priests. They would be known by the children of Israel and could never deny it had happened. Our relationship with God can only deepen as we allow him to go beyond our earlobe, right thumb and right big toe to the heart of our being. It is both public if we are seen as believers and as private as we allow him in our own lives. Jesus said, come unto me, and I will give You rest. He did not say, pass me by now and again. So here we are Monday bringing our listening our doing and our going to You for all we need this week.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 17th February 2024
This old hymn brings the old testament and the new testament together beautifully. I do not know the tune but below is a recording from an old service. I found it hard to hear the words so I have put them first.
O dearest Lord, thy sacred head with thorns was pierced for me; O pour thy blessing on my head that I may think for thee.
O dearest Lord, thy sacred hands with nails were pierced for me; O shed thy blessing on my hands that they may work for thee.
O dearest Lord, thy sacred feet with nails were pierced for me; O pour thy blessing on my feet that they may follow thee.
O dearest Lord, thy sacred heart with spear was pierced for me; O pour thy Spirit in my heart that I may live for thee.
