May 18, 2025
Exodus 29
“Consecrated for the Call”
Service Overview: Exodus 29 unveils the solemn, sacred process of setting apart priests for God’s service. Through blood, washing, and anointing, we see how serious God is about holiness—and how gracious He is in drawing people close. This text not only prompts us to reflect on Jesus fulfilling every part but how we too are called and consecrated as His people today.
Memory Verse for the Week:
1 Peter 2:5 – “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Background & Technical Insights:
- Sin is pictured by many images in the Bible, such as disease (Isa. 1:4–6), darkness (1 John 1:5–10), drowning (Ps. 130:1–4), and even death (Eph. 2:1, 5; John 5:24), but frequently it’s pictured as dirt and defilement (Isa. 1:16, 18; Jer. 4:14; 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 9:14; James 1:21; 4:8). When Aaron and his sons were washed all over, it was symbolic of complete cleansing from the Lord. (Warren Wiersbe, Exodus, 186)
- The motif of holiness takes on special significance with the construction of the tabernacle, as God, the Holy One of Israel, comes to dwell with his people. While God draws close to the Israelites, the people as a whole lack the holiness necessary to come into God’s presence. Consequently, God delegates to Aaron and his sons the responsibility of serving within the tabernacle. To fulfill this task they must be consecrated to ensure that they are holy. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 266)
- When the Old Testament priests were ordained, they were marked with blood in three places: their earlobes, their thumbs, and their big toes. This meant that they belonged to God from head to toe. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 910)
- The robe of the priests is made from the same fabric as the tabernacle itself (Exodus 26:31; 28:6, 31). And their preparation takes seven days; an echo of the original creation, which the construction of the tabernacle echoes (29:35). It’s as if the priests are the tabernacle in miniature. The tabernacle is the place in which Israel meet God, and the priest is the person in whom they meet God and through whom they can come to meet God. (Tim Chester, Exodus, 204)
- The term “you shall ordain” translates a Hebrew expression, “You shall fill the hand of.” This is probably a metaphorical expression derived from the widespread cultural custom of placing some symbol of office in the hands of a person being appointed to some important role—such as, for example, the scepter or rod placed in the hand of a monarch at their coronation or the Bible placed in the hand of a pastor at their ordination. (Christopher J.H. Wright, Exodus, 523)
What does this chapter zero in on about being prepared for the presence and purposes of God?
- The need to be washed — because of sin’s corruption.
(v. 4 | Ex. 30:20 ; Ps. 51:1-2; Ez. 36:25; Zech. 13:1; John 3:5; Heb. 10:22; Rev. 7:14)
Access to the Lord’s presence is only for those who have been made holy as God is holy. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 260)
God wants you to be holy. Through faith He already counts you holy in Christ. Now He intends to make you holy with Christ. This is no optional plan, no small potatoes. God saved you to sanctify you. God is in the beautification business, washing away spots and smoothing out wrinkles. He will have a blameless bride. He promised to work in you; He also calls you to work out. “The beauty of holiness” is first of all the Lord’s (Ps. 29:2, KJV). But by His grace it can also be yours. (Kevin DeYoung, The Hole in Our Holiness, 146)
- The need to be clothed — with a righteousness not our own.
(v. 5 | Is. 61:10; Zech. 3:3–4; Matt. 5:20; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9; 1 John 2:29; Revelation 3:5)
God does something more than simply wash away our sin; he also clothes us with the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Gal. 3:27). The Old Testament priests were dressed in sacred garments symbolizing their holiness before God. It takes holiness to stand before God, and the priests could not enter his holy sanctuary unless they were suitably dressed. But we have the most righteous robes of all. Every believer has put on Jesus Christ and thus is dressed with the perfect righteousness of Christ’s obedience to God. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 908)
- The need for anointing — because empowerment for God’s purpose flows from God’s Spirit.
(v. 7 | Ex. 30:30; Lev. 8:12; 1 Sam. 16:13; Is. 61:1; Luke 4:18; 2 Cor. 1:21; 1 John 2:27)
The oil was a picture of God pouring out His Spirit on the man. Like the elements in the tabernacle, the priest was also “set apart” and was to be used for special purposes. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 182)
In the Old Testament, prophets, priests, and kings were anointed; it was a symbol that God had granted them the Holy Spirit for power and service (Luke 4:17–19; Isa. 61:1–3). (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 186)
Our reliance on the Spirit is not intended to foster an attitude of “I can’t do it,” but one of “I can do it through Him who strengthens me.” The Christian should never complain of want of ability and power. (Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, 80)
Conclusion… How does all this point to the work of Christ and the calling of those who belong to Him?
- In Christ, we are washed — and seek to live with a clean conscience and a repentant heart.
(John 3:5; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:4; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 9:14; 1 John 1:9)
Jesus alone is the full expression of the ideal priestly beauty of holiness, and we, as his disciples, are called to fill our eyes with him, and live in his likeness. (J. Alec Motyer, Exodus, 267)
To be holy is to be morally blameless. It is to be separated from sin and, therefore, consecrated to God. The word signifies separation to God, and the conduct befitting those so separated… To live a holy life, then, is to live a life in conformity to the moral precepts of the Bible and in contrast to the sinful ways of the world. It is to live a life characterized by the “(putting) off of your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires… and (putting) on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22, 24). (Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, 16)
- In Christ, we are clothed — so we can rest knowing His righteousness covers us.
(Is. 61:10; Rom. 4:5–6; 13:14; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:27; Phil. 3:9; Col. 3:10; 1 John 2:1; 2:29)
We, the unclean, are not just washed; we are in the Holy One forever. We, the rebellious, are not just pardoned; we are in the King forever. We, the sad, are not just encouraged; we are in the Blessed One forever. We, the defeated, are not just empowered; we are in the Victor forever. We, the confused, are not just instructed; we are in the Sage forever. This is radical reconciliation, full provision, an astounding advantage. This is how the Jesus who lived 2000 years ago becomes our living Friend and Power today – union with Christ. God announces to us that He has relocated us in His universe of grace. We are no longer outside Christ, and now not just before Christ or near Christ or beneath Christ, but in Christ. Let’s inhale deeply from this new environment. (Lewis Smedes, Union with Christ, xi)
- In Christ, we are anointed — to serve Him boldly, knowing we are called and equipped by God’s Spirit.
(Acts 1:8; 2:17–18; Rom 8:11; 2 Cor 1:21–22; 3:6; Eph. 2:10; 2 Tim. 1:7)
God’s people today must remember that our first obligation is to please the Lord and serve Him. If we do this, then He will work in us and through us to accomplish His work in this world. (Warren Wiersbe, Exodus, 180)
Month by month, God eats with us as we take communion. He speaks to us as we read the Bible and hear it preached. He meets with us as we come to him in prayer. And he dwells in us by his Spirit. In his grace, he does all this for us. But he also does it for the world. He lights up our lives so that we might light up the world. So “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 205)
Gospel Connection…
In Christ, our Great High Priest, God sees us through the lens of Him. In other words, if you are in Christ, you are as accepted by God as He is.
(John 17:23; Rom. 5:1; 8:1; 8:34; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 1:6; Col. 3:3; Heb. 4:14–16; 10:10)
Here is the good news for believers: The Father now sees us through our representative. The Father accepted the great high priest’s work, and if you are in Christ, you are accepted just as much as Christ is! (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 185)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- What are some modern ways we try to “clean ourselves up” spiritually, and how do they fall short of true cleansing?
- Why is it important that we are clothed in a righteousness that is not our own? What dangers arise when we try to stand before God based on our own goodness?
- How does understanding that we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness affect the way we view ourselves — especially when we feel unworthy or ashamed?
- What does it mean to be anointed by God’s Spirit, and how do we experience that today as believers? What are some misconceptions people might have about “anointing”?
- In what ways can we live like people who are “washed, clothed, and anointed” in our everyday lives — at work, at home, and in the church?
- How can we better encourage each other as a community to live boldly in the identity Christ has given us — as forgiven, covered, and empowered people?
Quotes to note…
Our priestly identity is not only a matter between God and ourselves through Christ, but it also has an outward-facing dimension. According to 1 Peter 2:9–12, as God’s priesthood we are called both to declare and to live. There is a story to be told, since we have had our exodus experience of deliverance from darkness to light. And there is a life to be lived in the midst of the nations, so that they, too, may come to glorify God. (Christopher J.H. Wright, Exodus, 529)
We have been set apart to serve. Our ears belong to God. He wants us to listen to his Word. Our thumbs belong to God, too, along with the rest of our hands. God wants us to serve him with all our strength. Even our big toes belong to God, which is something to think about every time we put on our socks! God wants us to walk with him as we make our way through the world. We have a high and holy calling. We have been ordained as priests to serve the living God. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Exodus, 910)
To be filled with the Spirit is to be controlled by the Spirit – intellect, emotions, will, and body. All become available to Him for achieving the purposes of God. (Ted Engstrom, The Making of a Christian Leader, 204)
Notice the flow, or movement, in these chapters. The people’s guilt is transferred to the priests (Exodus 28:38). The priest’s guilt is transferred to the animals. The animals die. The sin, as it were, reaches a dead end, and the end is death. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 203)
Gloominess in the Christian is not glorifying unto God. A long-faced believer is no commendation of Christ to those who know Him not. (Arthur Pink, Gleanings in Exodus, Location 9005)
As we come to Christ, then, empty-handed, claiming no merit of our own, but clinging by faith to His blood and righteousness, we are justified. We pass immediately from a state of condemnation and spiritual death to a state of pardon, acceptance, and the sure hope of eternal life. Our sins are blotted out, and we are “clothed” with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. In our standing before God, we will never be more righteous, even in heaven, than we were the day we trusted Christ, or we are now. Obviously in our daily experience we fall far short of the perfect righteousness God requires. But because He has imputed to us the perfect righteousness of His Son, He now sees us as being just as righteous as Christ Himself. (Jerry Bridges, The Gospel for Real Life, 107)
Sanctification is a process – the process of becoming more like Christ, of growing in holiness. This process begins the instant you are converted and will not end until you meet Jesus face-to-face. Sanctification is about our own choices and behavior. It involves work. Empowered by God’s Spirit, we strive. We fight sin. We study Scripture and pray, even when we don’t feel like it. We flee temptation. We press on; we run hard in the pursuit of holiness. And as we become more and more sanctified, the power of the gospel conforms us more and more closely, with ever-increasing clarity, to the image of Jesus Christ. (C.J. Mahaney, The Cross Centered Life, 31)