“And he slew it; and Moses took of the blood of it, and put it upon the tip of Aaron’s right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot” (Leviticus 8:23).

This unique ceremony, conducted when Aaron was being consecrated as Israel’s high priest, is rich in symbolism. The blood was taken from the “ram of consecration” (Leviticus 8:22) which had been slain by Moses, its death signifying the death to self which priests should experience in order to be fully dedicated to the will and service of God. Then the blood was applied to the head, hands, and feet of the priest, thus in effect to his whole body, symbolizing cleansing and forgiveness of personal sins, in order that he might be an acceptable intermediary between God and the people. Further, it of course signified that the priest must have ears willing to hear God’s word, hands willing to do God’s work, and feet willing to carry God’s message wherever He led.

In fulfillment, the high priest is Christ, the sacrificial offering is Christ, and the consecrating blood is His own blood shed at Calvary (Hebrews 9:11–14). As the perfect high priest, His ear was perfectly attuned to God’s word, His hands worked the perfect work of God, and His feet walked all the way from Bethlehem to Calvary to accomplish the saving will of God.

But then each believer must remember that he, also, is a member of “an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices” (I Peter 2:5). As believer-priests, we must hear God’s word, for “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Our hands and feet must also be ready to do the work of God and walk in His ways if we would be faithful to our high calling. This is our “reasonable service” as “living sacrifice(s)” presented unto Him (Romans 12:1). HMM