Exodus 40:15
Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so that they may also serve Me as priests. Their anointing will qualify them for a permanent priesthood throughout their generations."
Anoint them just as you anointed their father,

Aaron’s sons were to receive the same sacred anointing that marked Aaron as high priest. The holy oil set them apart for service at the tabernacle and identified them as men appointed by God for Israel’s worship.

Exo 29:7 Then take the anointing oil and anoint him…
Lev 8:12 He also poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head…
Num 3:3 These were Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests,…

so that they may also serve Me as priests.

Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar were ordained to assist in the sacrifices, offerings, and other duties of the sanctuary. Their work represented the people before the Lord and guarded the holiness of worship.

Exo 28:1 “Next, have your brother Aaron brought to you…
Exo 29:44 So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar,…
Num 18:7 But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood…

Their anointing will qualify them for a permanent priesthood

God established the Aaronic priesthood as an authorized and continuing office. Priestly service was not assumed by personal ambition but received through God’s command and consecration.

Exo 29:9 Wrap the sashes around Aaron and his sons…
Num 25:13 It will be a covenant of permanent priesthood…
Exo 29:29 The holy garments that belong to Aaron will belong…

throughout their generations.”

The priesthood would remain within Aaron’s descendants, providing Israel with an ongoing order of priests under the covenant. Its lasting character pointed beyond itself to the eternal priesthood of Christ, the final and perfect High Priest.

Exo 29:42 For the generations to come, this burnt offering…
1Ch 23:13 The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses.Aaron and his descendants…
Num 18:23 The Levites are to perform the work of the Tent of Meeting…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to lead them through the wilderness. He is the one instructed to anoint Aaron and his sons.

2. Aaron
The brother of Moses, appointed as the first high priest of Israel. His anointing signifies his consecration to serve God in the tabernacle.

3. Aaron's Sons
They are to be anointed alongside Aaron, signifying the establishment of a hereditary priesthood.

4. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence among the Israelites, where the priests would perform their duties.

5. Anointing
A ceremonial act involving the application of oil, symbolizing consecration and the Holy Spirit's empowerment for service.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Anointing
Anointing signifies being set apart for God's service. In the Old Testament, it was a physical act, but in the New Testament, it represents the Holy Spirit's work in believers' lives.

Generational Faithfulness
The anointing of Aaron's sons highlights the importance of passing down faith and responsibilities to future generations. Parents and leaders should be intentional in teaching and preparing the next generation for service to God.

Priesthood of Believers
While the Levitical priesthood was specific to Aaron's lineage, all believers are now called to be priests, serving God and others. This calls for a life of holiness and dedication.

Symbolism of Oil
Oil in the Bible often symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Just as the priests were anointed with oil, believers are anointed with the Holy Spirit, empowering them for ministry and service.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the anointing of Aaron and his sons in Exodus 40:15 relate to the concept of being set apart for God's service today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our faith and responsibilities are passed down to future generations, as seen in the establishment of a hereditary priesthood?

3. How does the New Testament concept of the "priesthood of all believers" change our understanding of service and ministry in the church?

4. What are some practical ways we can live out our anointing by the Holy Spirit in our daily lives?

5. How does the symbolism of oil as the Holy Spirit in the Bible encourage us in our spiritual walk and service to God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 8
Describes the detailed process of the consecration of Aaron and his sons, providing a fuller picture of the anointing ceremony.

Hebrews 7
Discusses the priesthood of Jesus Christ, contrasting the temporary Levitical priesthood with the eternal priesthood of Christ.

1 Peter 2:9
Refers to believers as a "royal priesthood," connecting the Old Testament priesthood to the New Testament concept of all believers being priests.
The Erection of the TabernacleJ. Urquhart Exodus 40:1-33
The Tabernacle Set UpJ. Orr Exodus 40:1-33
Tabernacle ForeshadowingsW. M. Taylor, D. D.Exodus 40:1-38
The Primary and Universal Obligation to the Worship of JehovahJ. Allport.Exodus 40:1-38
The Setting Up of the Tabernacle on New Year's DayC. P. Eyre, M. A.Exodus 40:1-38
People
Aaron, Israelites, Moses
Places
Sinai
Topics
Acted, Admit, Age-during, Anoint, Anointed, Anointing, Continue, Everlasting, Generation, Generations, Hast, Minister, Office, Oil, Perpetual, Priesthood, Priests, Priest's, Putting, Qualify, Serve, Surely, Throughout
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 40:15

     2206   Jesus, the Christ
     7413   priesthood, OT

Exodus 40:9-15

     7304   anointing
     8270   holiness, set apart

Exodus 40:12-15

     7426   ritual washing

Exodus 40:12-16

     8345   servanthood, and worship

Exodus 40:13-15

     2230   Messiah, coming of

Library
July 7. "And the Glory of the Lord Filled the Tabernacle" (Ex. Xl. 35).
"And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle" (Ex. xl. 35). In the last chapter of Exodus we read all the Lord commanded Moses to do, and that as he fulfilled these commands the glory of the Lord descended and filled the tabernacle till there was no room for Moses, and from that time the pillar of cloud overshadowed them, their guide, their protection. And so we have been building as the Lord Himself commanded, and now the temple is to be handed over to Him to be possessed and filled. He will
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 3. And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 4. And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 5. And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of the Messiah
To complete the evidence, presented in the text, as to the essential difference between the teaching of the ancient Synagogue about the Forerunner of the Messiah' and the history and mission of John the Baptist, as described in the New Testaments, we subjoin a full, though condensed, account of the earlier Rabbinic traditions about Elijah. Opinions differ as to the descent and birthplace of Elijah. According to some, he was from the land of Gilead (Bemid. R. 14), and of the tribe of Gad (Tanch. on
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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