Exodus 29:15

Exodus 29:15 describes a crucial step in the elaborate ordination ceremony for Aaron and his sons as priests in ancient Israel. This verse focuses on the second animal sacrifice required for their consecration, immediately following the bull of the sin offering.

Context of Exodus 29:15

This verse is part of God's detailed instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai for establishing the Aaronic priesthood. Exodus 29 outlines a seven-day ritual designed to purify, sanctify, and set apart Aaron and his descendants for their sacred duties in the tabernacle. The process involved specific garments, anointing with oil, and a series of animal sacrifices. The ram mentioned here is distinct from the first bull (a sin offering) and the third ram (the ram of consecration), serving a specific purpose within this multi-layered ritual of dedication and atonement.

Key Themes and Messages

• Identification and Substitution: The act of Aaron and his sons laying their hands upon the head of the ram signifies a profound identification with the sacrifice. In the context of ancient Israelite sacrifices, this gesture often symbolized the transfer of sin or the dedication of the offerer to the animal, which would then serve as a substitute. For the priests, it meant their sins were symbolically laid upon the ram, and the ram became their representative before God. This ritual highlighted the need for a spotless substitute to bridge the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God.
• Holiness and Purity: The entire consecration ceremony, including the sacrifice of this ram, underscored the absolute necessity of holiness for those who would approach God in service. The priests had to be ceremonially clean and set apart to minister effectively in the tabernacle, a place where God's presence dwelt.
• Divine Authority and Specificity: The meticulous detail of these instructions emphasizes that worship and service to God must be conducted precisely according to His commands, not human preference. God alone dictates the terms of approach and the means of atonement.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "put their hands upon the head" uses the verb samak (סמך), which means "to lean upon," "to rest upon," or "to lay hands upon." While it can denote support or ordination in other contexts, in the context of Old Testament sacrifices, it primarily conveys the idea of identification or transference. For a sin offering, it meant the transfer of the offerer's sin to the animal. For a burnt offering (which this ram would partly become), it could signify dedication or the offerer's identification with the animal's complete surrender to God.

Practical Application

While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled, its principles offer timeless truths for believers today:

• The Need for a Mediator: This verse, like all Old Testament sacrifices, points to the ultimate need for a perfect mediator. The temporary nature of these animal sacrifices, which had to be repeated, foreshadowed the one-time, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the ram served as a substitute for Aaron and his sons, Jesus became the ultimate "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). His sacrifice permanently atoned for sin, making it possible for us to approach God directly (Hebrews 10:10).
• Our Call to Holiness: As New Testament believers, we are called a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). While we don't offer animal sacrifices, we are to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1), striving for holiness in our daily lives as we serve God and others.
• Dependence on God's Provision: The meticulous instructions remind us that genuine spiritual service and worship are always by God's design and through His provision. We rely on His grace and the completed work of Christ to approach Him.