4.30.26 ~ Expanding Our Understanding of the Blood, Part 2: What an Odd Place

The right ear, right thumb, and right big toe—what an odd place to apply blood (Ex. 29:20; Lev. 14:14, 17, 25, 28)!

Do you remember the inauguration of the priesthood (Ex. 29)? Blood was dabbed on Aaron's right ear, his right thumb, and his right big toe—some on the altar. Then blood from the altar was sprinkled on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons and their garments. What do we know about that blood? What we do know is that it has nothing to do with sin. It is not a sin sacrifice. It is not an atoning sacrifice. But it is an ordination sacrifice. And what it accomplishes is a big, metaphysical transition.

What is a metaphysical transition? Before this moment in time, Aaron was common. Now, within a short ceremony, he is holy. Aaron was an ordinary man. After this blood ritual, he is an ordained priest. He can now enter sacred space. He can stand before God in the Tabernacle. Nothing about this aspect of blood has anything to do with sin, but it has changed him into something else. It elevated him. It made him fit for the role. He was being called from common to consecrated—not punishment, not even substitution, but elevation. He is now the guy who can walk into the holy place. And why? Because the blood made the difference. Another amazing example of a status change. It is amazing what blood on the "listening" organ, the "serving" appendage, and the key to a balanced "walk" can do.

On the flip side of the priestly ceremony is welcoming a former leper (metzorah) back into the camp—from "set apart" to common (Lev. 14). Most have never really paid that much attention to this connection. It is not everyone's favorite, but we have the purification of the person healed from tzara'at (leprosy). Remember this person had a skin condition which required them to go to the priest for a purification process. And then, in that process—just like Aaron and his sons—blood was put on the right ear, the right thumb, and the right big toe. Why, you ask? Inquiring minds want to know :-)

Because there is a transformation occurring here. This individual looked as close to death as you could get without being dead. Through the blood and the application of the blood to the person, a metaphysical transition occurs that brings this person from as close to death as can be, to alive again and reconnected with the people of God. Once again, it is all about the blood.

However, I want you to notice something really interesting about this application of blood: by the time this occurs, this person is no longer afflicted with tzara'at (leprosy). Have you ever noticed that before? The purification has occurred before the sacrifice even took place. The blood is not a cure. The healing has already happened. The blood restores, transforms, and changes the category of living. It is not medical intervention. When blood is applied to people like this, there is a transition from one realm to another, in the direction of greater holiness, greater access, and greater intimacy with God.

How is your expansive understanding of the blood? Are you still with me?

By the time we get to the cross, our minds will be overwhelmed with the power in the blood.

Happy 25th day of counting the Omer!

Shalom,
Alan 

Part of Living Holy Is Keeping the Feasts of the Lord (Lev. 23; 1 Pet. 1:15–16) 

Watch a video: God's Appointed Times — Eternal Feasts for All Who Follow His Light 

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