Pointing to Jesus (Exodus 29)

Summary:

Exodus 29 details God’s instructions to Moses for consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests to serve in the tabernacle. 

The process involves washing them with water, dressing them in sacred garments, anointing them with oil, and performing sacrifices: a bull as a sin offering, a ram as a burnt offering, and another ram as an ordination offering, where blood is applied to their right ear, thumb, and big toe, and parts are waved before the Lord. 

They eat portions of the offerings, and the consecration lasts seven days with daily sacrifices. 

The chapter ends with ongoing daily offerings to sanctify the altar and affirm God’s dwelling among Israel.

Pointing to Jesus:

One clear example of how this chapter redemptively foreshadows Jesus is in the sin offering’s requirement to burn the bull’s remains outside the camp (Exodus 29:14), symbolizing the removal of sin and uncleanness. 

John Currid explains this as pointing to Christ: “The act of burning the carcass of the animal sacrificed as a sin offering outside the camp of Israel provides an interesting backdrop for a statement made by the author of Hebrews. He says, ‘For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. 

Therefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered outside the gate. 

Hence, let us go out to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach’ (Heb. 13:11–13). The picture is astounding! 

Jesus, because of our sin, suffered outside the camp / gate—he, metaphorically, went to the place of the unclean and defiled, and he took upon himself the curse that we deserve. 

He was sinless, yet he went to the cursed place for us!” 

Reflection:

Exodus 29’s emphasis on consecration—being set apart through cleansing, anointing, and sacrifice—mirrors the Christian’s call to holiness. 

Just as the priests were dedicated for service to God, believers are sanctified by Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice, empowered by the Holy Spirit (the anointing oil) to live as a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). 

This encourages daily surrender, reminding us that our lives are not our own but consecrated for worship, service, and communion with God amid a broken world.