The Seven Steps to Consecrating a Levitical Priest and How It Relates to YOUR Salvation

The Tabernacle of Moses is a fascinating study at many levels, for it is like the facets of a beautiful diamond that reflect light from many angles. With respect to the Tabernacle of Moses, it reflects the glorious light of YHVH Elohim’s Truth in a splendid and multi-dimensional form. What we present here on the tabernacle is merely a thimble full out of an ocean of knowledge pertaining thereto. 

In this study on the Tabernacle of Moses, we will look at the seven, pre-qualifying ritualistic steps that Elohim required of a Levitical priest in order to minister in the tabernacle. We will then compare that with the seven steps that the Bible in the Testimony of Yeshua (or New Testament) requires a person to take in order to become a disciple of Yeshua and a child of Elohim. Scripture refers to such a person as a member of “the royal priesthood” (1 Pet 2:9), or a kingdom of priests under King Yeshua (Rev 1:6; 5:10; 20:6), which harkens back to the Levitical priesthood of old during the time of the tabernacle. Amazingly, the steps to consecrating a priest in the Tabernacle of Moses were written some 1,500 years before the New Testament was penned, and, therefore, are amazingly prophetic down to the last detail of what was subsequently required of the saint as we shall now see. 

The number seven is a biblically symbolic number signifying completion or perfection, and the Bible contains numerous examples of this. The seven steps required to consecrate a person for service before YHVH Elohim in the Tabernacle of Moses is merely one such example. We find these seven outlined in Exodus chapters 28 and 29 along with Leviticus chapter eight. Let us now take a quick look at each of these steps and compare them with the steps that the Testimony of Yeshua now requires a person to take to receive salvation and inclusion in the everlasting kingdom of Elohim.

Step One

Aaron an his sons were taken from among the children of Israel ( Exod 28:1). This was a divine calling. Aaron and his sons did not choose to be Elohim’s priests. Rather, he selected them out of the tribes of Israel and they merely responded to his call. This prefigures divine election or selection (see John 15:16). YHVH Elohim calls each person to follow him; it is then up to each individual to choose whether to respond to the call. No human chooses Elohim until he first chooses them. This is a major biblical truth that the Christian church often overlooks and fails to teach about, even though Yeshua and his stressed its importance.

For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matt 22:14)

To all who are in Rome, beloved of Elohim, called to be saints: grace to you and peace from Elohim our Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah. (Rom 1:7)

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love Elohim, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28)

Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Rom 8:30)

Elohim is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Yeshua the Messiah our Lord. (1 Cor 1:9)

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. (1 Cor 1:26)

But as Elohim has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. (1 Cor 7:17)

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling. (Eph 4:4)

Therefore we also pray always for you that our Elohim would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power… (2 Thess 1:11)

[T]o which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. (2 Thess 2:14)

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Tim 6:12)

[W]ho has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in the Messiah Yeshua before time began… (2 Tim 1:9)

And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (Heb 9:15)

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Pet 2:9)

For to this you were called, because the Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. (1 Pet 2:21)

But may the Elohim of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by the Messiah Yeshua, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Pet 5:10)

[A]s His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue… (2 Pet 1:3)

Jude, a bondservant of Yeshua the Messiah, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by Elohim the Father, and preserved in Yeshua the Messiah. (Jude 1:11)

As should be obvious from this long list of Scriptures (and many more could be given), Elohim selects out of the masses of humanity those who will be his disciples. The church’s teaching that humans in their sinful and unregenerate state choose “to accept Jesus” as if they were initiating the process is totally erroneous. Again, humans do not choose him; rather, it is simply up to each of us to respond to his call, and then to continue in it. 

It is a mystery of heaven why YHVH chooses some people and not others. But may those saints who have been called consider their calling a divine honor and privilege, be humbly thankful for it, and take their calling seriously for the amazing and undeserved gift that it is. For as Peter instructs the saints, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble,” (1 Pet 1:10) 

Step Two 

Aaron and his sons were brought into the door of the tabernacle (Exod 29:4). As is apparent to those who have studied the Tabernacle of Moses, all of its aspects points to the Person and work of  Yeshua the Messiah, who would come to the earth some 1,500 years later. Moreover, the tabernacle contains within it the seven steps that a person must take in order to come out of this world and his or her sinful state of separation from the Creator, and to come into a personal relationship with their Father in heaven through Yeshua the Messiah. As such, the door of the tabernacle is the only portal  through which the priests of old had to enter to begin their spiritual service to Elohim. Similarly, that door prophetically symbolized the saint coming into a relationship with their Father in heaven through Yeshua the Messiah, who is the way to the Father and the door out of a world of sin and out of each person’s own sinful condition.

Then Yeshua said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. …I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:7, 9)

Yeshua said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)

For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. (Eph 2:18)

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Yeshua, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,  and having a High Priest over the house of Elohim, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Heb 10:19–22)

Step Three 

Aaron and his sons were washed with water (Exod 29:4). One cannot come into the presence of Elohim, which the tabernacle represented, in a filthy and unclean state. Cleansing must occur, for Elohim is holy or pure and no person who is in an unclean or sinful condition can come before him. The priests bathing before coming into the tabernacle symbolizes this ritual purification process. Similarly, the first act of obedience that the Bible requires of a new disciple of Yeshua is baptism or immersion in water for the remission or pardoning of one’s sins (Acts 2:37–38 cp. Acts 8:36–38; 16:15, 31–34; 22:16; Matt 28:19).  The act of baptism symbolizes the putting away of or dying to one’s sinfulness or one’s old carnal man and becoming a new, clean, forgiven spiritual person through Yeshua the Messiah who died for our sins and offers forgiveness to all those who will accept him in faith. 

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Yeshua, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of Elohim, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Heb 10:19–22)

…to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. (Heb 12:24)

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Yeshua the Messiah: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. (1 Pet 1:1–2)

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Yeshua the Messiah His Son cleanses us from all sin. ( 1 John 1:7)

…and from Yeshua the Messiah, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Rev 1:5–6; emphasis added on all)

Step Four 

Aaron and his sons were clothed in their official priestly garments (Exod 29:4–9). In the Bible, wearing the proper clothing on certain occasions is symbolically important in several ways, even as it is in our human experience. For example, when one comes into the presence of an earthly monarch, president, dignitary or magistrate, one does not typical wear their ratty old street or work clothes, or even one’s normal “nice’ clothing. No. If a notable and important person invites you into their home or office, typically, you put on your finest attire, or even purchase special clothing befitting the occasion, if for no other reason that to put on “a good appearance.” The same is true of coming into the presence of YHVH Elohim, the Almighty  Creator of the universe, except for one major difference. Physical clothing tells us nothing about the character of the person underneath. It is merely physical wrapping or packaging to make a favorable impression upon the viewer. In the Bible, however, outward clothing is often a symbolic metaphor that speaks of the spiritual state of the wearer; hence, it is much more than a physical adornment covering the shame of one’s nakedness. It represents the interior condition of the wearers heart and mind in relationship to YHVH Elohim.

Let us quickly examine more closely what Scripture says about the relationship between clothing and the state of one’s righteousness, for example. 

And YHVH said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.” So Moses told the words of the people to YHVH. Then YHVH said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. … So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and sanctified the people, and they washed their clothes. (Exod 19:9–10, 14)

Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Your saints shout for joy. (Ps 132:9)

But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away. (Isa 64:6)

Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of YHVH stood by. (Zech 3:3–5)

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matt 22:11–13)

Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev 7:13–14)

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ “ And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of Elohim.” (Rev 19:7–9; emphasis added on all)

From this list of Scriptures, it is evident that the Bible equates clean, white clothing with righteousness. The Bible goes on to define righteousness as obedience to YHVH’s standards of righteousness, which is his Torah-commandments (Ps 119:172), which is the opposite of sin, which is the violation of his commandments (1 John 3:4). 

How are one’s dirty spiritual garments or robes that symbolize one’s sinfulness made clean? By the blood of Yeshua the Messiah whose vicarious and atoning death sets those who put their faith and trust in him free from the wages or consequences of their past sins (Rom 3:25), which is death (Rom 6:232). Because of one’s trusting faith in Yeshua, his righteousness is now imputed to that person, which are the robes of righteous of which the Bible speaks (Rom 4:20–25 cp. 3:22–26), which subsequently brings one into a peaceful relationship with our Father in heaven (Rom 5:1–2). 

But that is not all. Not only does one’s faith in Yeshua result in his righteousness being imputed to the believer which Scripture likens to clean, white robes, but one’s own righteousness as a result of obedience to YHVH’s commandments  helps to make one righteous before Elohim, as well, thus preparing one to be the spiritual bride of Yeshua (Rev 19:7–9). Furthermore, Yeshua admonished his disciples that their righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees who were punctilious and scrupulous adherents to the Torah-law (Matt 5:20, see vv. 17–19 for context). 

Step Five 

Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the animals which were sacrificed (Exod 29:10–26, 32–33). Contemporaneous to being washed in water and being clothed in their priestly garments, the priests were required to lay their hands on the head of a kosher animal that were then sacrificed as a sin offering before YHVH. The blood from the animal was then sprinkled on Aaron and his sons and unleavened bread or matzah was waved and burnt, and they ate the flesh of the ram and the matzah.

This ritual act of Aaron and his sons carried significant prophetic symbolism. This teaches us that each saint is required to take personal responsibility for his own sins (1 John 1:9) by believing in Yeshua (John 3:1–16, 18; 5:24 Rom 10:9–13). The sacrifice of Yeshua, the Lamb of Elohim, at the cross must become personal to each person (John 1:12; 3:16, 18; 5:24; Rom 10:9–13). Moreover, each believer has his own personal relationship with Yeshua, and each must symbolically eat the flesh and drink the blood of Yeshua individually (John 6:35–58). Faith in Yeshua, as evidenced by the ritual of communion is a personal and individual matter (Matt 26:26–28). The blood of Yeshua symbolizes his atoning death for one’s sins, while the bread symbolizes the Word of Elohim (i.e. , all of Scripture). Yeshua was the personification of the Word of Elohim (John 1:1) or the bread of life (John 6:35–58).

And as they were eating, Yeshua took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matt 26:26–28)

And Yeshua said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.… I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” … Then Yeshua said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:35, 48–51, 53–58)

Step Six 

Aaron and his sons were anointed with oil (Exod 29:21). 

In the Bible, olive oil is symbolic of several things including the Holy or Set-Apart Spirit which comes from YHVH Elohim. After a new believer confesses and repents of their sin, places their faith in Yeshua and accepts him not only as their Savior, but also their Lord or Master (i.e., they agree to obey all of his teachings or commandments; see John 14:15, 21; 1 John 2:3–6), and are then baptized for the remission of sins, they must now receive the divine gift of YHVH’s Spirit. It is YHVH’s Spirit who will then live inside of them, thus empowering them to live and walk in agreement and in congruency with the Word, will, heart and commandments of Elohim which is the opposite of sin. Through the Spirit, YHVH actually writes his laws on their hearts, so they are miraculously empowered from within to do them (Jer 31:33; Heb 8:10, 16). The gift of the Set-Apart Spirit is typically, but not always, conferred on a person by the laying on of hands and sometimes along with the anointing with olive oil.

Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:17)

And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:6)

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. (Ps 23:5)

Now He who establishes us with you in the Messiah and has anointed us is Elohim (2 Cor 1:21)

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. (1 John 2:20)

But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. (1 John 2:27)

Step Seven 

Aaron and his sons were sanctified or set-apart for a special, divine purpose (Exod 29:44). 

The steps of consecrating Aaron and his sons as outlined above consecrated them for entering into the Tabernacle of Moses, for coming into the presence of YHVH Elohim and for ministering therein, that is, for having a spiritual relationship with their Creator. 

As we have shown, each of these steps is prophetically symbolic of the steps a new believer must take in order to come into a spiritual relationship with Elohim, and to be qualified for service in his spiritual kingdom. This relationship or fellowship is described in Exodus 29:44–46,

And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest’s office. And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their Elohim. And they shall know that I am YHVH their Elohim, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am YHVH their Elohim. (emphasis added)

Only after going through the previous six steps outlined above is the new disciple of Yeshua made holy, set-apart or sanctified unto YHVH as his holy priesthood, and is thus prepared to do work of YHVH (Rom 15:16; 1 Cor 1:2; 6:11; Heb 10:10, 14; 1 Pet 2:9). Presently, there is no physical tabernacle or temple in which Yeshua’s priesthood can minister, nor is such a tabernacle necessary. This because each saint is now the temple of the Set-Apart Spirit, or the divine Presence of YHVH Elohim.

Do you not know that you are the temple of Elohim and that the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of Elohim, God will destroy him. For the temple of Elohim is holy, which temple you are. (1 Cor 3:16–17)

And what agreement has the temple of Elohim with idols? For you are the temple of the living Elohim. As God has said: “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM. I WILL BE THEIR ELOHIM, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.” (2 Cor 6:16)

This is all accomplished through Yeshua living in each saint through his Set-Apart. Yeshua is the Chief Cornerstone in our spiritual foundation (Eph 2:20). He is the end result or goal of the Torah (Rom 10:4). He is the author and the finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2), the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last,” (Rev 1:8; 21:6; 22:13). Thus, the Tabernacle of Moses, the Levitical priesthood and the steps to consecrating a priest all point to him and to our spiritual relationship with him.

To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of Elohim, and precious, you also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a set-apart priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to Elohim by Yeshua the Messiah. Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Tzion a chief corner stone, elect, precious, and he that believes on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious, but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of Elohim, which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Pet 2:4–10, emphasis added)

Even as the priests of old ministered continually, day and night, seven days a week in the Tabernacle of Moses, so the redeemed saints of YHVH Elohim are called to do the same as ministers of Yeshua the Messiah as living sacrifices (Rom 12:2). They no longer minister in a physical  building for they are the temples of the Set-Apart Spirit (1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor 6:16). Why? That we may proclaim the praises of him, who has called us out of darkness into the marvelous light of his divinely revealed Truth as a chosen generation, his royal priesthood, his holy nation, and his own special people (1 Pet 2:9). Be empowered by the reality of this!

 

4 thoughts on “The Seven Steps to Consecrating a Levitical Priest and How It Relates to YOUR Salvation

  1. thank you for this teaching/it has helped me to be able to explain ‘the royal priesthood’ and the ‘ tabernacle’/ my heart just swells with joy!

  2. JUST FOUND YOU LAST WEEK, OREGON!!! LIVE IN MONTANA, NO REAL CHURCHES FOUND IN KALISPELLL. STEEPED IN MASONIC PRACTICES. TEMPLE OF MASONS IN DOWNTOWN KALISPELL, A LARGE BUILDING WITH OCCULT SIGNS ALL OVER IT. NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE!! THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL TEACHING.

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