DCLM Search The Scripture Youth For June 25, 2023 : Topic – CONSECRATION OF THE PRIESTS
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YOUTH STS
LESSON 67
CONSECRATION OF THE PRIESTS
Memory Verse: “And ye shall not go out of the door of the congregation in seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you” (Leviticus 8:33).
Text: Leviticus 8:1-36; 9:1-24
Today’s study focuses on the consecration of the priests. Aaron and his sons were chosen by God to serve as priests. To render their service effectively with the utmost care it demands, without endangering their lives with frivolity, God commanded Moses to consecrate them. “And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which the LORD commanded to be done. And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith (Leviticus 8:5-7).
Question 1: What is consecration?
Consecration is to set something or a person apart from others for a holy religious or sacred use. Every believing youth today has become a priest “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen’ (Revelation 1:6). As priests, God expects us to consecrate our lives for His use. “1 beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2).
PREPARATION FOR THE CONSECRATION
(Leviticus 8:1- 13; Joshua 3:5; Isaiah 1:16;61:10; 52:11;Ephesians 6:14)
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread” (Leviticus 8:1,2). This was a command from God to Moses to take the priests (Aaron and his sons) and the items of consecration. Moses gathered all the children of Israel “unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation” to consecrate the priests (Leviticus 8:4). He did not delay in obeying the commands of God. “And Moses brought Aaron’s sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the LORD Commanded Moses” (Leviticus 8:13). In obedience to God, Moses prepared the priests for the consecration exercise. As Christian youths, God expects us to be obedient to His words and commands at all times.
Question 2: How can a Christian youth be consecrated to the Lord, today?
“And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water” (Leviticus 8:6).
One to be consecrated to God, Christian youth must be washed from sin. “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil” (Isaiah 1:16).
Two, every youth that desires to be consecrated for usefulness must be clothed with the garment of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).
Three, he must put on the breastplate as Aaron did. The breastplate that believers are expected to put on is a life of purity and righteousness (Ephesians 6:14; lsaiah 52:11).
Four, like the priests, he must be anointed. This is the thing the servant of God must receive to be effective (Acts 1:8).
PROCESS OF THE CONSECRATION
(Leviticus 8:14. 36;Psalm 23:6; Romans 12:1,2; Hebrews Revelation 1:5) 10:3-5,9:11-14;
Having gone through the preparations, Moses proceeded to consecrate them to the Lord (Leviticus 8:14). This phase of consecration of the priests involved animal sacrifice, burnt offering and wave offering. “And he put all upon Aaron’s hands, and upon his sons’ hands, and waved them for a wave offering before the LORD” (Leviticus 8:27). The blood of sacrifice was sprinkled on Aaron and his sons for further cleansing and purifying.
Question 3: Is animal sacrifice still relevant to Christians in this dispensation?
“But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me” (Hebrews 10:3-5). The blood of animals cannot take away sin. Jesus Christ has been sacrificed for our sins. He died as a sinless substitute for our pardon, cleansing and justification. “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28). Hence, we do not need animal sacrifices again. “And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation in seven days; until the days of your consecration be at end: for seven days shall he consecrate you” (Leviticus 8:33). The last phase of the consecration process was that the priests were confined to the house of the Lord for seven days. This confinement was an opportunity for the priests to wait upon God in prayer, learning laws of God d and doing their part of the consecration Youths should learn a lesson here. They must be willing and highly interested in going to the house of God for worship, prayer and hearing of God’s word. The psalmist proclaimed: “l was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of LORD” (Psalm 122:1).
THE PURPOSE AND PRIVILEGE OF THEIR CONSECRATION
(Leviticus 9:1-24; 2 Timothy 2:19-21,John 12:23-26,;2 Chronicles 15:7)
“And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto al the people. And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces” (Leviticus 9:22-24). Having been consecrated as the Lord commanded Moses, the priests were now ready to discharge their duties. It is noteworthy for us to learn that their consecration came with responsibilities. It brought them the special privileges of serving in the tabernacle. As God calls us to salvation, He also calls us to service. Salvation ushers sinners to a new life while sanctification makes us to be suitable for the Master’s use. Hence, we must not shy away from serving the Lord. “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). Some of the duties carried out the priest include:
Speaking the word of God to the children of Israel (Leviticus 9:3);
Making atonement to God for the people (Leviticus 9:7);
Carrying out animal sacrifices for the people (Leviticus 9:8);
Praying for the people (Leviticus 9:22); and
Any other service as appointed by God from time to time.
Question 4: mention some services Christian youths can render unto God.
We are to be actively involved in serving God in any of these people for church programmes, preaching the word of God to sinners, leading Youth Home Success Fellowship joining the school fellowship officers (executives) in school or college,. praying for people in need and any other things God will instruct you to do through your leaders. It’s a great privilege to serve God. We enjoy many blessings in serving Him. Aaron and his sons experienced the glory of God while serving “And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out and, blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people” (Leviticus 9:23).
Question 5: Mention some blessings we will receive when we serve God
“If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor” (John 12:26). We will receive honor and be honored by God when we serve Him faithfully. These include:
Fruitfulness in service,
Success in examination,
Promotion to higher position or class,
Favor with God and man, (e) Sense of fulfilment in life, and (f) Eternal life with God in heaven.
The challenge God is putting forward to all youths today is this: “The gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers,. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?”(1 Chronicles 29:5)