Links for today’s readings:
Read: Exodus 29 Listen: (6:23) Read: Luke 11 Listen: (7:33)
Scripture Focus: Exodus 29.44-46
44 “So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. 45 Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. 46 They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.
Reflection: Concentric Consecration
By John Tillman
Consecration means being “set apart for” or “devoted to” a sacred purpose.
God gives Moses long and complicated instructions “to consecrate” priests and spaces. But ultimately, the Lord says, “I will consecrate…”. Consecration is God’s doing for God’s business. Concentric circles of consecration existed in the Israelite community.
All Abraham’s children, and especially Israel’s gathered tribes were a consecrated community of holy people. Within that community, Levi was a consecrated tribe of holy workers. Within that tribe, Aaron’s was a consecrated family of priests. Within that family Aaron was the consecrated High Priest.
The Israelite camp and Tabernacle revealed a similar concentricity.
The center was the mercy seat, where God offered atonement. The mercy seat was above the Ark of the Covenant which held reminders of Israel’s history and law. The Ark was in the Holy of Holies, where one chosen priest ministered before the Lord. The Holy of Holies was in the courtyard where the Altar of God received the people’s sacrifices. The Altar was within the Tabernacle where God’s people directed their prayers. The Tabernacle was the center of the camp, with tribes arranged on all sides. The nation of Israel was a testimony of Yahweh’s power and blessings offered to all people.
The sacred purpose of Israel’s consecrated spaces and people was blessing. From the innermost ring of concentric circles of consecration, God’s presence, power, love, light, wisdom and mercy flowed outward. The priesthood blessed Tabernacle worship, worship leaders blessed the people, and the people were to bless the nations. (Genesis 12.3; 18.18; 22.18; 26.4; 28.14)
If you follow Jesus, you are consecrated by God for his purpose. Jesus is greater than Moses, Aaron, the Tabernacle, and Temple. (Hebrews 3.3-6; Matthew 12.6) Jesus consecrates those who come to him into his priesthood. (Hebrews 4.14; 1 Peter 2.9-10; Revelation 5.10)
You have a place in the concentric circles of consecration. Your purpose is to carry the blessings of Christ’s gospel, proclaiming his atonement and the wisdom of his teaching to the outermost ring.
Consecration ceremonies are reminders. Remember the cost of your consecration. Be worthy of your calling. Remember the blood that was shed.
Concentric circles share the same shape and centerpoint. Is the shape of your life and teaching concentric, centered on, Jesus? Does your life demonstrate to the world the concentric shape of Jesus’ beauty, justice, and mercy?
Be re-consecrated. Realign with him. As he perfectly reflects God’s nature to us, may we reflect his nature to the world. (Colossians 1.15; John 14.6-9)
Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer
God is King of all the earth; sing praise with all your skill. God reigns over the nations; God sits upon his holy throne. — Psalm 47.7-8
– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more: Portrait Shaped by Scripture
Lord, help us to remember that some have been wounded by scripture. Help our lives to be shaped by scripture into a beautiful artistic portrait of you.
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