Exodus 29

Messiah (the Anointed)

Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) — the Anointed One

Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him. Exodus 29:7

Aaron became an anointed priest when oil was poured on his head. The very titles Messiah and Christ mean the Anointed One, the true Priest and King anointed by the Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in Acts 10:38 — God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power.
• alluded to by Psalm 133:2 — The precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard.

Sin Offering

And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock. Exodus 29:10–14

The priests laid their hands on the animal, symbolically placing their sins on it, and its body was burned outside the camp. Hebrews says Jesus fulfilled this when He suffered outside the gate of Jerusalem to sanctify the people with His own blood.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• interpreted by Hebrews 13:11-12 — The bodies of beasts for sin are burned without the camp; wherefore Jesus also suffered without the gate.
• a type of what is in Isaiah 53:6 — The LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Burnt Offering, a Sweet Savour

Thou shalt also take one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram. Exodus 29:15–18

The whole ram was given to God as a sweet savour. Paul uses the same words for Christ, who gave Himself completely as an offering pleasing to the Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• alluded to by Ephesians 5:2 — Christ hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Consecration by Blood

Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about. Exodus 29:20–21

The priests were made holy by sacrificial blood on the ear, hand and foot, symbolizing that what they heard, did and where they walked belonged to God. It points to the blood of Christ, which cleanses and consecrates all who follow Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in Hebrews 9:14 — The blood of Christ shall purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
• the same event in Leviticus 8:23-24 — The consecration commanded here is carried out: Moses puts the blood on Aaron's and his sons' right ear, thumb and great toe.

Eating of the Atoning Sacrifice

And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy. Exodus 29:33

The priests ate the offering by which atonement was made. It softly echoes the sacrament, where disciples partake in remembrance of the flesh and blood of Christ's atoning sacrifice.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · proposed by the reading

• a type of what is in John 6:54 — Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life.

Lamb of God

Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually. Exodus 29:38–41

Every morning and evening a lamb was offered, so Israel's worship always centered on a sacrificed lamb. These daily lambs point to Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice is continually available to all who come to Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him · a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in John 1:29 — Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
• a type of what is in 1 Peter 1:19 — The precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
• interpreted by Mosiah 13:30-31 — A law of performances and ordinances observed from day to day ... all these things were types of things to come.
• a parallel account in Numbers 28:3-4 — The same continual morning and evening lamb offering is commanded again in nearly the same words.

Jehovah

And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory. Exodus 29:43–46

Jehovah, the premortal Jesus Christ, promises to meet Israel at the tabernacle and live among them as the God who delivered them from Egypt. He later fulfilled this in person when He came in the flesh and dwelt among men.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him · a footnote points to Him

• alluded to by John 1:14 — The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
• alluded to by Revelation 21:3 — The tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people.
• alluded to by Ezekiel 34:24 — I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them — the covenant promise repeated beside the messianic 'servant David'.