Some of God's ways are a bit disconcerting to me. His Law requirements for animal sacrifices seem downright gory. Passages such as Leviticus eight are almost too graphic to stomach. The specific details as to the death and dismemberment of animals for sacrifice are hard to read; imagine being there to personally witness such things!

One verse is especially striking: "Moses slaughtered it (the ram) and took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron's right ear, and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot." (Leviticus 8:23)

The right side of our body is considered to be the "good" side (much to the chagrin of us lefties). The right ear represents good hearing. And the right thumb; just how important is it? It's been said that the thumb separates man from ape. The thumb affords us dexterity for intricate tasks that could not be done otherwise. And the right toe: those who have suffered the accidental loss of their big toe can testify to the extreme difficulty of walking. We are critically dependent on it for balance.

The blood of a sacrificial animal on these body parts is rich with symbolism: consecrated hearing, consecrated actions and deeds, a consecrated walk. And isn't that exactly what the sacrificial blood of our Savior provides? Through His sacrifice we are afforded spiritual hearing and insight, holy deeds and actions, and a spiritually balanced walk.

Jesus often prefaced His important parables with the phrase, "he who has ears to hear, let him hear". As those covered by the blood of His sacrifice, may we read and truly hear His words. May those words direct the actions and works of our hands. And may those words guide are steps such that we walk in the path that honors Him and our Father, and leads us to the coming kingdom of God.

Thankful for the cleansing covering of His blood,

Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011