OK girls, I am going to be a little unspiritual here and hope that it is alright with you. Was anyone else completely puzzled and a little grossed-out by the priestly ordination sacrament of putting blood from the sacrifice on the right ear lobe, right thumb, and right big toe of those being ordained? This was something that definitely caused me to want to dig deeper.
I went to Henry, of course. I did not get a clear understanding of the significance of the "right" lobe, thumb, and toe. But it does say this:
"The blood of it (the sacrifice) was part put on the put on the priests, on their ears, thumbs, and toes and sprinkled upon the altar; and thus he did (as it were) marry them to the altar, upon which they must all their days give attendance."
After reading his explanation, I am not sure if I understand any better. At our wedding, my husband and I exchanged rings and vows but not blood. This is one we can table until we get to heaven if it even still matters then.
Did you notice how well Moses followed the Lord's commands to the last detail? He was careful to do just as he was told.
Our question for the day: When I receive exact instructions from the Lord do I follow them to the last detail even if He asks me to do something I don't understand or doesn't make sense?
Did you notice how well Moses followed the Lord's commands to the last detail? He was careful to do just as he was told.
Our question for the day: When I receive exact instructions from the Lord do I follow them to the last detail even if He asks me to do something I don't understand or doesn't make sense?
14 Comments:
The sacrificial blood for us is Jesus. Maybe the blood on the ear/thumb/toe signifies when you hear my voice (ear) go (feet) and do (hands) as I say? Pure speculation there.
I tried to envision, when it says that the entire community of Isreal assembled at the tabernacle, just what it took to "assemble" over a million people! We read earlier that there were 600,000 men alone, eegads...how long did that take to congregate them all?
I too am very thankful again that Jesus sacrificed it all for me. Thank you Jesus!
Morgen - MN
Wendy, I want to thank you for asking that question today. I quite honestly came to the end of today's reading and thought, "Lord, what are You calling me to write about today?" For the first time since I began reading His Word in January, nothing really jumped off the page to me or spoke to my heart.
I journeyed over to your blog (which I usually don't do until AFTER I write my post for the day) to see how the Lord spoke to you in our passage today and the question you asked provided me with today's writing. Thank you! (http://ponderinginhispresence.blogspot.com/)
You're right - some of this reading is a little "gross". It causes me to rejoice again that our sacrifice has been paid.
Morgen, I so enjoyed your thoughts. Thanks for sharing!
Have a great day everyone!
Joy
Wendy and others,
I found a commentary that had a little to say about the blood on the ear and thumb and toe. It was put on the ear to hear differently, the thumb to work differently ane the toe because they should walk differently. It also said that it was on the right side because most people are right handed making that the better stronger side and God wanted the best dedicated to Him. I got this from "Enduringword.com"
I agree I'm glad I didn't have to do this at my wedding ceremony also, however that is why God wants us to be virgins when we marry because the breaking of the skin (Himen) (sp) and the bleeding the first time we have intercourse is to be for the blood covenant between Husband and Wife. So we do exchange just not in public. :)
Blessings have a great day!
Lynn - Milwaukie OR
Wendy,
Yes, I too was puzzled and a bit grossed out by the blood in the ordination ceremony. Read David Gruzek's commentary on this ritual; I found it very helpful: http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=2&contentID=7418&commInfo=31&topic=Leviticus
Three things he points out; one is that when Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the heads of the sacrificial animals, they were transferring their sin to the animal. Second, the use of the blood of the ram was so that the LIFE of the sacrificial animal was to mark the consecrated priests. The life of the animal is in the blood. Thirdly, the significance of the ear, thumb and toe are explained in this way: " Tip of Aaron's right ear, on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot: These consecrated priests were stained with the blood of sacrifice. They should hear differently because the blood was on their ear. They should work differently because the blood was on their thumb. They should walk differently because the blood was on their toe.
i. Specifically, it was applied to the right ear, hand, and foot. This isn't because God felt they could do whatever they wanted to with their left ear, hand, and foot. It is because the right side was considered superior, with more strength and skill (because most people are right-handed). God wanted their best to be dedicated to Him."
He has other good things to say about the ceremony as well. And yes, I continue to be amazed at how well Moses followed the instructions of God. I am being trained in certain areas of my life to follow exactly the instructions of God too. He is very exact in His instructions, and when I don't follow, He is putting up very concrete barriers. I am right now being shown a specific area in my life where I have conformed to this world. I am being transformed each day by the renewing of my mind as I read along with you.
Be blessesd today,
Karen, CA
Funny when I started writing ther were no comments. :)
Morgen I thought the same thing "How many people and how Long"
Blessings,
Lynn
Wow....thanks girls. I love love love your comments. I have already learned so much and it is only 7:20am. YEA!
As far as the question: Not exactly all the time. I tend to ease my way into obedience when it is hard, or doesn't' make sense. I do fully obey eventually. I pray that whether the task is easy or difficult that I will obey without delay. I heard one the delayed obedience is just another form of disobedience. Yikes. I don't want that.
You guys are GREAT!!!
Hi All,
Today I am more grateful than yesterday for my sacrifical Lamb, Jesus! And just when I'm always trying to simplify my life...thankfully, our lives have been made more simple through Jesus Christ! I can't imagine living by the Old Covenat! I'm glad it's obsolete!
Now, today I had to do some further reading as I was totally confused! I turned to Bible Pathways and will share what I found out...
"The ear was to listen to no conversation that would violate their consecration to God or distract them from hearing His voice...
It is by Christ's blood that the believe's ears are prepared to hear His voice with a desire to listen to His Word.
The thumb of the right hand touched was also touched with blood. -In the Scripturs, the right hand is used to express power.
The blood was put upon the great toe of the right foot; the priests were under obligation to weigh carefully their daily activities lest they become involved in something that would defile them."
My desire is to follow the Lord's instuctions to me...I can't say that I always do, but I do know that living in obedience allows me a wonderful peace and fellowship with my Savior! I want to be so close to Him that I hear His voice and say, "yes LORD!" Whatever You want from me!
Have a great day gals, studying God's Word! Love you,
Lori - Mesa, AZ
Hi again,
Yes, there were no comments when I started writing too...you guys are just faster than I am! :) Thank you for your help! I love reading everyone's words...such a help with understanding God's Word.
I forgot to mention, congrat's Chanan for your baptism!!! Wonderful news, sister!!!
Lori - Mesa, AZ
Good question!! and leads me to the question...Isn't it easy to follow God's voice when we clearly WANT to do what he asks? How many times do we question? ask for clarification
(give me a sign please God)? or simply wait and miss the opportunity that God places before us because we do NOT want to go there!! As my Granny used to say, "It doesn't matter if what God asks makes sense; He is God, you are NOT, just follow where he is leading!" Many times God will ask us to do the extraordinary which is out of the ordinary. We cannot do these things on our own power, but only by being the vessel and letting God live through us! Surrender is easier said than done!
You gals are such a blessing. When I have attempted to read through the Bible past years, I always getted bogged down in Leviticu and Numbers--and usually get so far behind, I give up.
Thanks so much for the accountability and research and wisdom you all provide.
Thanks Lori,
I made a joke on Monday at work that after Jesus was baptised he went into the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights to be tempted. I haven't even gone into the wilderness and tempation is already lurking!!!! I rebuke you satan in the name of JESUS!!!!!
Today's question....'how well do I follow instructions?' - This is an area that I have always struggled with and one of the first things that I have prayed to GOD to help me change, especially when the instructions are coming from him (God). I was conversating the other day with a lady I met at a local laboratory on the topic of listening for God's voice, in other words, listening for his daily instructions. She suggested that I read a book called 'Goodmorning Holy Spirit' by Pastor Benny Hinn. Maybe it can be helpful to others who have not read it as yet.
Have a blessed day all!!!
Wendy,
I feel horriable, I have read this several times and it isn't sinking in. It is my brain shutting down. Please pray that something is getting through. I am weary, but faithful.
Diane
Diane,
The last two days of reading have been hard for me too (I am writing this, Thurs. morning...) God knows your heart and he knows you are faithfully coming to Him to seek Him through His Word. The devil will try and bog you down. He will give you all sorts of reasons why it all does not make any sense. Stand firm and be open with God. Pray to God before you begin reading your Bible. Tell Him to show you something, to give you a nugget to hold on to. He will! When we seek Him with all of our heart, he walks with us.
I prayed for you this morning!
Blessings,
Lori - Mesa, AZ
Diane
You hang in there and remain faithful because He is faithful.
I am rejoicing with you in the growth of your P31 Gather & Grow group. God is working all around you and through you!
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