It’s interesting to note that blood was used frequently and extensively throughout the sanctuary and all of its services. It was used during the ordination of the priests. “And he brought the second ram, the ram of consecration. Then Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram, and Moses killed it. Also, he took some of its blood and put it on the tip of Aaron’s right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. Then he brought Aaron’s sons. And Moses put some of the blood on the tips of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet.” Leviticus 8:22-24. (NKJV). The four sons of Aaron, Moses’ brother, were Eleazar, Ithamar, Nadab, and Abihu. The blood of the consecration sacrifice was placed upon the ears, hands, and feet of all five priests. Before the Aaronic priesthood was instituted by divine decree; Moses the prophet acted as priest for all of Israel. The blood was applied to those body parts of the priests to cleanse and consecrate them. Not only so that they would hear and imbibe all of the divine statutes. But that they would also be empowered to walk within them and execute them.
The fact that all five priests and this number is of great significance. Because it’s simply irrational to conclude that the number of priests is unrelated to the great subject of the sanctuary, the five wise virgins. Placed their hands upon the head of each substitutionary sacrifice. Signified not only their trust in The Lord Almighty but also their complete acceptance of His provision for their salvation. They had no understanding of the full import of this ceremony but they did as they were told because as Moses had clearly stated, “This is what the Lord commanded to be done.” Leviticus 8:5. Several hundred years later the angel Gabriel announced to Mary’s betrothed husband, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21. There were three male sacrificial animals. Three is the number of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost). Meaning that everything occurring within that place and at that time was under divine supervision. The bull and the rams were responsible for generating life within the herd and the flock. Fitting representatives of Christ the great life giver. That’s why a mere angel couldn’t come to earth to live and die in man’s place. Because in Christ alone is reposed life original, life unborrowed, life underived. (Paraphrased from The Desire of Ages by Ellen G. White).
“And he brought the bull for the sin offering. Then Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull for the sin offering, and Moses killed it. Then he took the blood, and put some on the horns of the altar all around with his finger, and purified the altar.” Leviticus 8:14-15. (NKJV). Scripture maintains that the altar is a representation of God’s people. Here the horns of the Altar of Burnt Offering are purified with the blood of the sacrifice. The horns represent the power of God’s people. Such power can only be maintained through the blood of Christ and by strictly adhering to all of God’s revealed will. What we all need to understand and always remember is that The Lord Almighty is a God of righteousness. “Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood which was on the altar, and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his garments, on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him; and he consecrated Aaron, his garments, his sons, and the garments of his sons with him.” Leviticus 8:30 (NKJV). Everything was consecrated by the sprinkling of the blood mixed with the oil. The blood of all the animals represented the blood of Christ our Saviour. Which would at some future date be shed not only for the sins of the Hebrew people but also for the sins of the whole world.
“Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes, we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, everyone, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4-6. (NKJV). The oil used in the sprinkling represents the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit through whom all the benefits of God’s wonderful grace are appropriated to each repentant and penitent sinner. Although He is invisible and intangible He is nevertheless present and real. “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:15-18. (NKJV).
aadventuresinghana.wordpress.com 