41 After you put these clothes on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them so they may serve me as priests.
As Moses is receiving instructions on Tabernacle worship from the Lord, and passing on the details, he gets some specific instructions for his brother Aaron and his sons. They are going to be the priestly family. They will perform the duties closely connected to worship. Right before this text specific garments have been described for them to wear. You can’t just wear anything when serving in the Tabernacle. Moses describes some type of ceremony where Aaron and his sons don the clothes. Then Moses anoints them with sacred oil. Anointing was a common cultural act showing that someone was in a holy leadership position. Kings were anointed. Here Moses will anoint them to serve the Lord. As part of this anointing they are ordained, which includes Moses putting his hands on them to show they are now separate. There is a symbolic transfer of authority in the laying on of hands. The final step is to consecrate them. Part of this consecration is providing for their living expenses so they don’t have to worry about surviving, and they aren’t tempted in their ministry. Their work is now holy work. Whatever their work was before they became priests is part of their past. They now serve the Lord full time. Churches often have a ceremony when a minister is sent out from the congregation that includes these elements. Yet, as part of the Body of Christ, we all have important ministries to perform. We all need the anointing of the Holy Spirit active in our lives.
The Arnold Journey 