The Provision For Priests

SERMON OUTLINE

• I. Giving To God
• II. Giving To His Servants

TRANSCRIPT

Our text for tonight's message is taken from Exodus 29:22-29. In our previous message, we learned about the ordination of the priest. It was a long and elaborate process that lasted for seven days. The priests had to first offer sacrifices for their sins, then be washed with water, clothed with the priestly garments, anointed with oil and finally sprinkled with blood. We had already touched on the meaning of those spiritual activities.

If you remember, from chapter 25 all the way until chapter 29, God spoke about how the Tabernacle ought to be constructed. It was the only building designed by God in this entire world, which means God was the Architect, including specifying the kinds of materials and furniture that ought to be used. Then God turned His attention to the priest — what they should wear and how they should be ordained. Now, in this passage, He was going to speak about how they were to be provided for.

Dear friend, do you realise that just as the Tabernacle was the place for the people to worship, serve and meet with God, so is the church. Specific instructions were given for the whole Tabernacle, including the furniture, the sacrifices and the things that went on inside and outside the Tabernacle — how the priests should be ordained and how they ought to be provided for. Likewise, this is what the church ought to be and this is what we want to learn as we draw principles from the Bible about how we ought to function as a church.

The title of our message is ‘The Provision For Priest’. If possible, we want to draw two spiritual lessons from this passage: ‘Giving To God’ and ‘Giving To His Servants’.

I. Giving To God

Firstly, let us consider: ‘Giving To God’. Let us begin with Exodus 29:22, “Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump,” — which means the tail — “and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver,” — or the covering of the liver — “and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration”.

Remember, there were three animals used for three kinds of sacrifices: a bull and two rams. The first sacrifice, the bull, was used for the sin offering, signifying their sins were forgiven. The second sacrifice, the first ram, was used for the burnt offering, signifying a total dedication and commitment to God. Just as the whole ram was burnt in the fire, they were to be totally dedicated and committed to God. The third sacrifice, the second ram, was used only for the ordination of the priest.

Here, it is about the third sacrifice — the second ram. We know this for sure because of the phrase “for it is a ram of consecration”, which is sometimes translated as a ram of ordination. Now, all the parts of the animal mentioned in this verse—the fat, the tail, the liver, the kidneys and the right shoulder — were the best parts of the animal. They were considered the fattest and most juicy parts of the animal.

Together with the different offering of bread in verse 23: “And one loaf of bread, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of the unleavened bread that is before the Lord”. What must the priest do with them? Verse 24 tells us: “And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the Lord”.

A wave offering was a sacrifice presented to God and then released by God to be used for those involved in the sacrifice — the priests. Some people believe that the priest would wave the offering back and forth as a symbolic way of calling God’s attention. Others believe that they would simply lift up the offering as an act of worship. Yet others believe that they would elevate the offering to declare what they had brought before God. We do not know for sure because the Bible does not tell us how the offerings were waved before God.

But, how ever they waved the offerings, the priests came before God with the best parts of their offerings. In other words, whether they waved it back and forth, lifted it up, or elevated it, they did not come empty-handed — they came with the best. Even Moses did not come empty-handed.

Look at verse 25: “ And thou shalt receive them of their hands, and burn them upon the altar for a burnt offering, for a sweet savour before the Lord: it is an offering made by fire unto the Lord”. Since Moses was involved in the process of ordaining the priest, he also participated in the wave offering. Remember, the burnt offering was a reference to a total dedication and commitment to God. So when the people brought their best before God, He saw into their hearts this total dedication and commitment. And that offering was a sweet savour unto Him and was consumed with fire, signifying that God had accepted it.

What lessons can you and I learn from here? When the people presented their offerings to God, they gave their best. The fattest and most juicy parts of the animal were given to God. In other words, God was not an afterthought. He was first and foremost on their minds. He was the very reason for their existence and why they were able to offer anything in the first place. So, He deserved the best.

Sadly, this is not the case for many people today. People would think about everything and anything else before ever considering God. For example, when it comes to giving tithes and offerings, they will first consider their house mortgage loans, their expenses for the car, family, children and their education, groceries, holidays, investments, savings for rainy days and so forth. After all things are considered, then they will contemplate how much to give to God. When they do that, they are demonstrating that God is just an afterthought. He is not the one who blesses them with what they have. He does not deserve the best. Therefore, He only receives the so-called leftovers. Do you think God does not know? Most certainly, He does.

Dear friend, our God not only deserves to receive from us, but He deserves the best. Rather, our attitude should be, before anything else is to be considered, we first set aside a portion of what we have received from Him to be offered to Him. This is where the principle of tithes comes in. The literal meaning of tithes is the tenth part, or one-tenth, which means our attitude is: ‘God, You are my Creator. You are the one who has given me life through Your only begotten Son, sustained and blessed me with what I have. I am what I am today because of You. Even the jobs and opportunities, the good health and strength, come from You. You deserve nothing but the best, and I am setting aside this portion before anything else is to be considered as my tithes and offerings. And this is from the bottom of my heart.’

When we do that, the God who sees into the innermost of our hearts and knows our thoughts will accept our offerings as a sweet savour, pleasing and acceptable unto Him. Anything less than that is unacceptable.

II. Giving To His Servants

After God had received the best parts of the animal, what happened to the other parts? This brings us to our second point: ‘Giving To His Servants’. Let us move on to verse 26: “And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before the Lord: and it shall be thy part”. Verse 27a: “And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave offering”.

Since Moses himself was also a priest representing the people before God, he had the right to receive a portion of the sacrifice for his own sustenance and he received the breast of the ram. What about Aaron and his sons? Look at the second part of verse 27b: “and the shoulder of the heave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of the consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons”.

The word ‘heave’ speaks of the wave offering being presented. The shoulder of the ram belonged to Aaron and his sons. That was God's way of providing for His servants. The people brought the ram as an offering before God and God in turn used it to provide for His priests or servants. Notice, God gave the breast part to Moses and the shoulder part to Aaron and his sons. Those were the most meaty parts of the animal, which means He did not give them sparingly but generously. God will never let His servants go hungry or to be in need. He owns all the cattle on a thousand hills. If possible, God could have showered them with food from heaven, like the way He did for the children of Israel by sending manna from Heaven while they were in the wilderness for forty years. But He chose not to do so. Instead He chose to use His people, who brought those gifts before Him, and He in turn used those gifts to provide for His servants.

This principle of providing for pastors, ministers, preachers, and full-time workers was also taught in the New Testament. For example, 1 Timothy 5:18 — “For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, the labourer is worthy of his reward.” Though that passage refers to honouring pastors and elders, it should also include those who serve us for our spiritual benefit. One of the ways in which we show our respect and honour is through our support for them. The Bible says, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn." It was a quotation from Deuteronomy 25:4. As the ox threshes out the corn, it will keep going around in circles. It will step on the corn and the grains would fall out. Then they would fan away the husk and the extra grains would remain. The owner was not allowed to muzzle the ox as it was working. This was to enable the ox to feed on the grains whenever it was hungry.

If our Almighty God cares for the ox and if He wants the ox to be fed while it is working, how much more do you think He wants His servants to be taken care of and to be provided for? That is the emphasis here: "The labourer is worthy of his reward" (1 Timothy 5:18b). The reward means his wages. Who do you think said these words? It was none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said it in the Gospel of Luke 10:2 when He told the disciples — “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few”.

As the Lord of the harvest, He was sending them out as His labourers and He commanded them not to be worried about how they would be provided for. He said to them that those who preach the gospel should live off the gospel, which means the ones who receive the gospel and benefit from the gospel — the recipients of the gospel — they are responsible to take care of the preachers. The church, the body of believers, should support their ministers, preachers and full-time workers. They should be supported in such a way that they would not be distracted, so they would be fully committed to the work of the gospel. This way, the congregation, the people, will be spiritually fed and they will grow from strength to strength and from faith to faith.

Some people would argue, ‘But what about the Apostle Paul, who was a tentmaker? Did he not work to support himself?’ Yes, Paul did work as a tentmaker but that was before the church was established or when the church was too poor to support the full-time workers. He did not want the unbelievers to think that there was a price to pay for the gospel. So, he worked as a tentmaker. But the moment the church grew, immediately he gave up his tentmaker's job and was fully committed to the gospel work. Today there are some small churches that cannot support their pastors and full-time workers financially and they have to go out to work part-time while at the same time serving the Lord. But once the church is financially able to support those full-time workers, they should immediately give up their part-time jobs. Why? Because that is what full-time ministry means — to be fully committed to the Lord's work. They cannot be distracted.

Some people have this attitude that pastors, ministers, preachers and full-time workers should live with less or that they should not be provided with that much. Obviously, we must not encourage filthy lucre. Pastors, ministers, preachers and full-time workers must not be in the ministry for the money. Money should be the last thing on their minds. But on the other hand, to have such a mindset or attitude that they are not like the rest of the people or that they are less than the rest of the people, is the other extreme. Pastors and ministers are just as human as everyone else. They have needs just as everyone else has — medical, food, housing and other needs. If they are always thinking about how to provide for their families, how to put bread and butter on the table, how to pay their bills, will they not be distracted? Will they still be fully committed to the Lord's work? By the grace of God, they can but it is very difficult because when the stomach is hungry, how can they not be distracted?

Some years back, an Ethiopian pastor friend of mine said to me that before they have their worship service, they first have a fellowship meal. I said to him, ‘Well, that is very different from my church because we have the worship service first and then the fellowship meal.’ He said to me something that I will never forget — ‘These preachers and members have travelled for hours and hours just to get to church. By the time they reach the church, they are extremely hungry. How can they worship God with an empty stomach? Their minds will be distracted — not because they want to, but they cannot help it. Their stomach is hungry. So we first feed them and then we worship God together without distraction.’

Notice, God not only provided for His servants — He knew their needs but He gave them generously. The meaty parts of the animal — the breast part and the shoulder part — were reserved for the priests. God will never short-change those who serve Him. That is our God. This was the pattern God has set to provide for all the other future priests.

Look on to verse 29: “And the holy garments of Aaron shall be his sons' after him, to be anointed therein, and to be consecrated in them”. Aaron was the first high priest and he wore special garments. Those holy garments represented his office as the high priest. But those clothes were not just for Aaron; they were for a whole succession of priests after him. After Aaron died, his sons would take over his office as the high priest and they would wear the same garments. Eventually, it would be something like hand-me-down clothes.

Perhaps you may turn with me to Numbers 20:28. There, we have a picture of what happened when Aaron died. Again, let me read for you: “And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount”. So when Aaron, the high priest, died, the holy garments were removed from him and placed upon his son Eleazar, who became the next high priest. Through the centuries, the office of priests was passed from one generation to the next. Each new priest was ordained in the same way and they wore the same garments.

Remember, there were many priests in those days and they were from the tribe of Levi. But only one high priest and that high priest came from the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron served as the high priests, one generation after another generation, until God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Great High Priest. So there were many high priests before Jesus but none were needed after Him because Jesus offered the one and only sacrifice to atone for our sins and He will forever be our Great High Priest. However, after Jesus’ death, the children of Israel continued the succession of high priests until General Titus invaded Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. Then the succession of high priests came to an end.

A story was told of the son of a rabbi who asked his father, ‘What is it that makes atonement for the soul?’ The rabbi answered, ‘It is the blood.’ And then, to prove his point, he quoted Leviticus 17:11: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” The boy responded with a further question: ‘Then why are there no blood sacrifices in our synagogues?’ The rabbi sadly explained that this was impossible because the only place to offer the sacrifice was at the temple of Jerusalem and the temple was destroyed almost 2,000 years ago. Then said the boy, ‘We have no atonement.’

In a sense, he was right — no blood, no atonement. But he was also wrong because we do have an atonement. God has provided one for both the Jews and the Gentiles through the saving work of Jesus Christ. Everyone who believes in Him will be saved and their sins will be atoned for. The blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross of Calvary will wash away all sins. Only His blood is sufficient to pay the penalty for our sins.

Dear friend, two important lessons we want to learn from this passage: Yes, God sent His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross of Calvary and shed His precious blood to save us from the penalty of our sins. But what about our response to Him? The first important lesson is about giving to God. God not only deserves to receive from us but He deserves the best. The question is — are we giving our best to God or is He just an afterthought? After all things are considered, then we think about Him? God forbid! God must always be first and foremost in our minds before all things are considered.

Secondly, giving to His servants. Whatever we give to God is to be used for the work of the Gospel. One of the ways to support the work of the Gospel and promote and advance the work of the Gospel is to support those who are ministers of the Gospel. We do not want to muzzle their mouths. We do not want them to go hungry. We do not want to provide for them sparingly — but generously. We do not want to provide for them lavishly — but necessarily, so that they can be fully committed to the work of the Gospel. This is what the church ought to be and this is how the church ought to function so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can be advanced to the uttermost parts of the world. And then our God will be glorified. As a church, this is what you and I must be committed to do. May the Lord help us to understand and apply the spiritual lessons that we can learn from His precious, infallible, inerrant Word. Let us pray.

Father in Heaven, indeed, as we study through the book of Exodus, as we study about the Tabernacle and how it was designed by Thee, including the materials being used, the furniture that went inside and outside the Tabernacle, the things that happened inside and outside of the Tabernacle, how the priests ought to be dressed and how they ought to be ordained. Today, Thou hast taught us how they also are to be provided for.

Thou hast taught us it was through the giving of Thy people. And as we learn of the children of Israel, how they started off very well and gave of their best, we are reminded that God deserves nothing but the best. Oh Lord, forgive us if there are times when Thou art just an afterthought. After all things are considered, then we contemplate and think about how much we should give to Thee. Thou knowest all things — how can we hide from Thee? We pray that Thou would remind us always because we always forget. Thou deservest nothing but the best. Thou art the very reason for our existence. Thou gave to us Thy only begotten Son, through whom we are saved. How can we give Thee anything less?

We also learn that whatever we give is for Thy work and Thy work is for Thy glory. One way to promote and support Thy work is through the support of those who serve Thee. Therefore, as we give, we pray that our church will be wise to support whomever Thou hast called to serve Thee full-time — that they be provided for, that they will not be distracted but be fully committed to Thy work. That is what full-time ministry is all about. Just as the high priest and the priests were totally dedicated and committed to Thee, likewise, all of us also need to be totally dedicated and committed to Thee. So, teach us and may the Spirit of God help us to apply Thy truth into our lives. We pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen.

THE BOOK OF EXODUS

God’s Prophecy and Promise Had Come To Pass

God’s Prophecy and Promise Had Come To Pass

Exodus 1:1-7

From Prosperity to Persecution

From Prosperity to Persecution

Exodus 1:8-14

God’s Protection in the Midst of Adversities

God’s Protection in the Midst of Adversities

Exodus 1:15-21

The Faith of Jochebed

The Faith of Jochebed

Exodus 1:22-2:10

Moses in Egypt

Moses in Egypt

Exodus 2:11-15

Moses in the Desert of Midian

Moses in the Desert of Midian

Exodus 2:16-25

Moses and the Burning Bush

Moses and the Burning Bush

Exodus 3:1-9

Who Are You?

Who Are You?

Exodus 3:10-15

Who Am I?

Who Am I?

Exodus 3:10-15

God’s Message to Israel and Egypt

God’s Message to Israel and Egypt

Exodus 3:16-22

What If They Still Don’t Believe?

What If They Still Don’t Believe?

Exodus 4:1-9

Send Someone Else

Send Someone Else

Exodus 4:10-17

Moses’ Return to Egypt

Moses’ Return to Egypt

Exodus 4:18-20

When Things Seemed to Get Better, They Got Worse

When Things Seemed to Get Better, They Got Worse

Exodus 5:10-21

When We Have Done Everything Right, and Yet Trouble Comes

When We Have Done Everything Right, and Yet Trouble Comes

Exodus 5:22-6:5

Having to Learn the Same Lesson Twice

Having to Learn the Same Lesson Twice

Exodus 6:6-12

Faithful or Unfaithful

Faithful or Unfaithful

Exodus 6:13-27

What God Wants Is Our Faithfulness and Obedience

What God Wants Is Our Faithfulness and Obedience

Exodus 6:28-7:7

The First Plague - The River of Blood

The First Plague - The River of Blood

Exodus 7:14-25

The Second Plague - The Frogs

The Second Plague - The Frogs

Exodus 8:1-15

The Third Plague

The Third Plague

Exodus 8:16-19

The Fourth Plague

The Fourth Plague

Exodus 8:20-32

The Fifth Plague

The Fifth Plague

Exodus 9:1-7

The Sixth Plague

The Sixth Plague

Exodus 9:8-12

The Seventh Plague

The Seventh Plague

Exodus 9:13-35

The Eighth Plague

The Eighth Plague

Exodus 10:1-20

The Tenth Plague

The Tenth Plague

Exodus 11:1-10

The First Passover

The First Passover

Exodus 12:1-13

The Feast of the Unleavened Bread

The Feast of the Unleavened Bread

Exodus 12:14-28

Departure From Egypt

Departure From Egypt

Exodus 12:29-42

This Do In Remembrance of Me

This Do In Remembrance of Me

Exodus 12:43-51; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

Message 2: What is Church to you? My Covenantal Family!

Message 2: What is Church to you? My Covenantal Family!

Exodus 12:48-49, Colossians 2:11-12

Redemption and Consecration

Redemption and Consecration

Exodus 13:1-2, 11-16

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Exodus 13:17-22

Between the Desert and the Red Sea

Between the Desert and the Red Sea

Exodus 14:1-14

Crossing the Red Sea

Crossing the Red Sea

Exodus 14:15-31

The Song of Praise

The Song of Praise

Exodus 15:1-21

Will You Obey Or Not?

Will You Obey Or Not?

Exodus 15:22-27

The Danger of a Complaining Spirit

The Danger of a Complaining Spirit

Exodus 16:1-3

God’s Response to Israel’s Complaints

God’s Response to Israel’s Complaints

Exodus 16:1-10

The Test of Faith

The Test of Faith

Exodus 16:11-20

Lessons About the Sabbath

Lessons About the Sabbath

Exodus 16:21-36

Do Not Test God

Do Not Test God

Exodus 17:1-17

Lift Up Your Hands

Lift Up Your Hands

Exodus 17:8-16

The Blessedness of Reunion

The Blessedness of Reunion

Exodus 18:1-12

Why Do We Have Leaders?

Why Do We Have Leaders?

Exodus 18:13-27

I Will Carry You On Eagles’ Wings

I Will Carry You On Eagles’ Wings

Exodus 19:1-6

Approach God Fearlessly or Fearfully

Approach God Fearlessly or Fearfully

Exodus 19:7-15

God Reached Out And Spoke

God Reached Out And Spoke

Exodus 19:16-25

Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods

Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods

Exodus 20:1-3

Thou Shalt Not Make Graven Images

Thou Shalt Not Make Graven Images

Exodus 20:4-6

Thou Shalt Not Dishonour God’s Name

Thou Shalt Not Dishonour God’s Name

Exodus 20:7

Thou Shalt Keep The Sabbath Day

Thou Shalt Keep The Sabbath Day

Exodus 20:8-11

Honour Thy Father And Thy Mother

Honour Thy Father And Thy Mother

Exodus 20:12

Thou Shalt Not Kill

Thou Shalt Not Kill

Exodus 20:13

Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery

Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery

Exodus 20:14

Thou Shalt Not Steal

Thou Shalt Not Steal

Exodus 20:15

Thou Shalt Not Lie

Thou Shalt Not Lie

Exodus 20:16

Thou Shalt Not Covet

Thou Shalt Not Covet

Exodus 20:17

The Response To The Ten Commandments

The Response To The Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:18-21

How God Wants Us To Worship Him

How God Wants Us To Worship Him

Exodus 20:22-26

Why Would God Allow Slavery?

Why Would God Allow Slavery?

Exodus 21:1-11

The Punishment Fits The Crime — a life for a life

The Punishment Fits The Crime — a life for a life

Exodus 21:12-17

The Punishment Fits The Crime — an eye for an eye

The Punishment Fits The Crime — an eye for an eye

Exodus 21:18-36

The Punishment Deters The Crime — property laws

The Punishment Deters The Crime — property laws

Exodus 22:1-15

The Character Of God

The Character Of God

Exodus 22:16-20

Reaching Out To The Down-And-Out

Reaching Out To The Down-And-Out

Exodus 22:21-24

The Compassion, Authority & Holiness Of God

The Compassion, Authority & Holiness Of God

Exodus 22:25-31

Truth Cannot Be Subjected To Anything But Truth

Truth Cannot Be Subjected To Anything But Truth

Exodus 23:1-9

Remember Who God Is

Remember Who God Is

Exodus 23:10-19

What Must We Do To Have Victory

What Must We Do To Have Victory

Exodus 23:20-33

How We Ought To Worship God

How We Ought To Worship God

Exodus 24:1-4, 7

On What Basis Can We Approach His Majesty?

On What Basis Can We Approach His Majesty?

Exodus 24:4-8

Responding To God’s Invitation

Responding To God’s Invitation

Exodus 24:9-18

The Right Attitude Of Giving

The Right Attitude Of Giving

Exodus 25:1-8

There I Will Meet You

There I Will Meet You

Exodus 25:9-22

Physical Or Spiritual Bread, Which Is More Important?

Physical Or Spiritual Bread, Which Is More Important?

Exodus 25:23-30

Let Your Light So Shine Before Men

Let Your Light So Shine Before Men

Exodus 25:31-40

The Veil That Separates

The Veil That Separates

Exodus 26:1-37

A Day In Thy Court Is Better Than A Thousand

A Day In Thy Court Is Better Than A Thousand

Exodus 27:1-19

Who Can Represent Us Before God?

Who Can Represent Us Before God?

Exodus 27:20-28:14

How Can We Know God’s Will?

How Can We Know God’s Will?

Exodus 28:15-30

Is Our Worship Attire Really Important?

Is Our Worship Attire Really Important?

Exodus 28:31-43

The Ordination Of Priests

The Ordination Of Priests

Exodus 29:1-21

The Provision For Priests

The Provision For Priests

Exodus 29:22-29

Remind Us For We Always Forget

Remind Us For We Always Forget

Exodus 29:36-46

Sweet Hour Of Prayer

Sweet Hour Of Prayer

Exodus 30:1-10

If Thy Presence Go Not with Me, Carry Us Not Up Hence

If Thy Presence Go Not with Me, Carry Us Not Up Hence

Exodus 33:12-23