Instructions From My Father

Scripture: Exodus 40:12-16

"Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the doorway of the tent of meeting and wash them with water. "You shall put the holy garments on Aaron and anoint him and consecrate him, that he may minister as a priest to Me. "You shall bring his sons and put tunics on them; and you shall anoint them even as you have anointed their father, that they may minister as priests to Me; and their anointing will qualify them for a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations." Thus Moses did; according to all that the LORD had commanded him, so he did.

Commentary:
God gave Moses specific instructions on how to set up the tent of meeting, which was a meeting place for God and His people. The tent of meeting was to be set up on the first day of the first month continually. God also instructed Moses to anoint the sons of Aaron, as he had anointed his brother Aaron, for the priesthood of service to God. The anointing would qualify them for a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.

Moses followed the instructions of God exactly. He did everything that he was commanded to do. He did not add anything to the instructions, and he did not take anything away from the instructions. He also made sure that he completed the work, and anointed Aaron as well Aaron's sons.

Reflection:
Moses gave us an example of how to follow the instructions of our Father. Even though Moses was just a man, he still possessed the ability to do what God told him to do. He did not falter at the words of God. He performed as he had been instructed to do. Every detail was covered, and nothing was left unfinished. Moses did not complain that the task was to difficult. He did not say that he could not do it. He took on the task that he was assigned, and he completed it with excellence.

When we are given a task, and/or an assignment from God; let us take into consideration how God trust us with that assignment; and begin and finish well. God only gives assignments to those He trust. He has already anointed us for the purpose in which He has called us. Therefore, we should count it an honor, and a privileged to receive such a request from God. He will give us everything that we need to start, and to complete the tasks. He will not leave us lacking anything that we need. Therefore, we should know at the very beginning that He has already provided a way for us to complete the assignment; that He has given to us.

Strong's Concordance Definitions:

Exodus 40:15
and you shall anoing: 4886
1) to smear, anoint, spread a liquid
a) (Qal)
1) to smear
2) to anoint (as consecration)
3) to anoint, consecrate
b) (Niphal) to be anointed

that they may minister as priests: 3547
1) to act as a priest, minister in a priest's office
a) (Piel)
1) to minister as a priest, serve as a priest
2) to be or become a priest
3) to play the priest

to Me, and their anointing: 4888
1) consecrated portion, anointing oil, portion, ointment, anointing portion

a) ointment (used to consecrate by anointing)
b) anointing portion

will qualify: 1961
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

a) (Qal)
1) -----
a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
b) to come about, come to pass
2) to come into being, become
a) to arise, appear, come
b) to become
1) to become
2) to become like
3) to be instituted, be established
3) to be
a) to exist, be in existence
b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
d) to accompany, be with
b) (Niphal)
1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
2) to be done, be finished, be gone

them for a perpetual: 5769
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world

a) ancient time, long time (of past)
b) (of future)
1) for ever, always
2) continuous existence, perpetual
3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity

throughout their generations: 1755
1) period, generation, habitation, dwelling
a) period, age, generation (period of time)
b) generation (those living during a period)
c) generation (characterised by quality, condition, class of men)
d) dwelling-place, habitation

Exodus 40:16
had commanded: 6680
1) to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order

a) (Piel)
1) to lay charge upon
2) to give charge to, give command to
3) to give charge unto
4) to give charge over, appoint
5) to give charge, command
6) to charge, command
7) to charge, commission
8) to command, appoint, ordain (of divine act)
b) (Pual) to be commanded

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Exodus 40 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 6 Feb 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Exd&c=40&t=NASB


Higgins, S. (2010). Instructions From My Father. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, http://www.higginspublishing.com