“Then the other ram was presented, the ram of consecration; Aharon and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. After it had been slaughtered, Moshe took some of its blood and put it on the tip of Aharon’s right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. Next Aharon’s sons were brought, and Moshe 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; then Moshe splashed the blood on all sides of the altar.”-Leviticus 8:22-24
In my last post, I discussed how the sacrificial offerings for the ordination of Israel’s priesthood began with a bull.
Today we’ll look at the next two sacrifices that were to be offered up: 2 rams (male sheep).
The first ram to be sacrificed was at least one year old.
According to the usual procedures, Aaron and his sons lay their hands on the ram to signify the transfer of their guilt onto the innocent animal and then the animal is killed.
Afterwards, the blood of the ram is collected and dabbed onto the sides of the Brazen Altar.
However, there is one distinct difference between this sacrifice and the first offering of the bull.
Whereas only a part of the bull was burnt up on the Brazen Altar, pretty much the entire ram, its head, fat and entrails, were placed on the Brazen Altar to be completely consumed in the flames.
Again we are told that the whole purpose of burning up the animal was to create smoke that would in turn produce a pleasing aroma to Adonai.
Let’s not forget that Torah means “teaching” or “instruction” and so true to its name it is a document whose purpose is to teach us about holiness, sin, and atonement.
And since one of the most effective methods for teaching is repetition, this is why we’ll find the Lord reminding us of certain truths again and again in the Scriptures.
It is for our learning.
Immediately after the sacrifice of the first ram, the second one is brought forward, but after this second ram is killed, the ritual procedures change.
We’re told that Moses next took the blood of the Ram and dabbed it onto Aaron’s right ear, right thumb and right big toe.
There is some interesting significance to this procedure that I want to delve into.
The first point you should know is that this procedure of dabbing the right ear, right thumb and right big toe with the blood of the sacrificial animal is THE EXACT SAME PROCEDURE that one had to undergo to be purified from skin diseases.
The variety of skin diseases that one could contract is called TZARA’AT in Hebrew, a term the Western church has mistakenly labelled leprosy.
TZARA-AT was a very serious and greatly feared form of ritual uncleanness.
If an Israelite contracted a skin disease he or she became an outcast and was put OUTSIDE THE CAMP.
Remember that uncleanness is contagious, so if somebody became infected with some form of TZARA-AT, he or she could in turn infect others.
The spiritual connection here is awesome, so pay close attention.
Although Aaron had not contracted an outwardly visible skin disease, he still underwent the very same procedures that a person who had contracted a highly contagious external skin disease had to undergo.
Why?
The reason is because man in his natural state is impure and needs to be cleansed.
This was Aaron’s condition, this was his sons’ condition, and this is our condition.
Although not visible to the human eye, unless we are cleansed, we are not fit to come into the presence of the Lord.
We are all unclean due to our sins even if there is no visible sign of it.
Even though we can’t see our uncleanness, God can see it and He saw it in Aaron and his sons.
Scripture tells us that we cannot know the condition of a man’s heart, but the Lord knows.
“The heart is more deceitful than anything else
and mortally sick. Who can fathom it?
I, Adonai, search the heart;
I test inner motivations;
in order to give to everyone
what his actions and conduct deserve.”
-Jeremiah 17:9-10
See, here’s the thing.
It is a Scriptural principle that TZARA-AT or skin disease was symbolic of one’s internal uncleanness.
Recall Moses encounter with YHVH at the Burning Bush.
Remember when God told Moses to put his hand inside his cloak and pull it out, and when Moses did, his hand came out stricken with a skin disease.
This was God showing Moses the true INNER condition of his heart.
That’s right!
From God’s perspective, Moses was unclean, as is all of mankind.
Afterwards, God told Moses to put his hand back into his cloak and pull it out a second time.
When he did, this time Moses’ hand came out clean.
The message here is crystal clear.
It is only YHVH who can make men clean.
There is no other god, or man, or principality, or anything but יְהֹוָה who can make us clean.
Finally, let’s not overlook one of the most important points.
Just as oil was applied to both Aaron and the Altar of sacrifice, so was blood also applied in the same way.
Notice that by means of the blood from the altar, an inseparable link is established between the Levitical priesthood and sacrifice.
It is by means of the blood from the altar that Aaron and his sons are ordained to offer sacrifice.
Looking into the future, we will see that it will be the blood of our High Priest in Heaven-YESHUA HAMASHIACH that will be used as the sacrificial purifying agent.
Leave a Reply