17 September Leviticus 8

Ear, Thumb and Toe

Leviticus 8:23-24 (NIV) “Moses slaughtered the ram and took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. Moses also brought Aaron’s sons forward and put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet. Then he splashed blood against the sides of the altar”.

When we read through this chapter, we show that the priests were consecrated before God. According to Dictionary.reference.com the word consecration means “to make or declare sacred; set apart or dedicate to the service of a deity‘ This ceremony was to set these men apart from other men. These men were too “sacred” or God-focused rather than focused on the things of the world.

Furthermore, we read that the right ear was consecrated. The significance of the ear lobe is that they were supposed to be holy in what we listen to. The purpose of the hand was to show the need to be holy in our actions and not use our hands to sin. The foot is intended to symbolise the need to be holy in the places we go, not walking into temptation or darkness.

“They should hear differently because the blood was on their ear. They should work differently because the blood was on their thumb. They should walk differently because the blood was on their toe.” - David Guzik

“God expects us to live in such a way that His “face” (person, character, presence) is always “before” us so that our “walk” (lifestyle, behaviour) is “perfect” (complete, whole, healthy), with nothing inhibiting the relationship “of him with whom we have to do” - HENRY M. MORRIS

The ear is for listening.

John 16:12-15 (AMP) “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now. But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father, the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. He will glorify and honour Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you”.

The hand speaks of two things: Worship and Service.

Psalm 134:1-3 (AMP) “Behold, bless and praise the Lord, all servants of the Lord (priests, Levites), Who stand and serve by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands to the sanctuary And bless the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth”.

The foot speaks of walking.

Genesis 17:1b “I am God Almighty ; walk before me faithfully and be blameless”.

In conclusion, Leviticus 8 vividly illustrates the consecration of Aaron and his sons, marking them as set apart for sacred service to God. The specific anointing of the ear, thumb, and toe symbolises the holistic nature of their dedication, what they hear, what they do, and where they go. This ceremony was not merely a ritual but a profound statement that their entire lives would be oriented towards God. As believers today, this ancient practice invites us to consider how we, too, are called to be consecrated in every aspect of our lives, listening with discernment, acting in righteousness, and walking faithfully before the Lord.