As God brought his people out of the enslavement of Egypt he was freeing them from the influence of the false gods of the land and teaching them how they were to worship him. This Scripture gives us some detail for the service of worship to be carried out by their leaders, and gives us some comparisons that are helpful to us in our preparations for service and worship of our Lord.
Aaron's first step was to wash. This signified putting away all filthiness of spirit. We are to draw near to God ... "with our hearts clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:22). Then the priests were to be adorned in special garb to carry out their mission. "I will rejoice in the Lord for He has clothed me with the garment of salvation and covered me with the robe of righteousness" (Isaiah 61:10). And finally, Aaron and his sons placed their hands on the head of the bull, thus transferring their sins to the animal that would be slain as a sacrifice. We are privileged to serve the one who was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities ... and by whose stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).
Dear Lord, may we worship and serve you in Spirit and truth.
