
THIS chapter tells of the consecration to their high office of Aaron and his  sons. The entire family is constantly joined thus together as one in God's  sight. Similarly, Christ and His house - which is ourselves, who believe - are  one. We too must be sprinkled by the blood on ear and thumb and toe, as those  who have been redeemed. We too must be consecrated and anointed; and there must  be the cleanliness of which these words speak.
This is where so many have  erred; they have sought consecration, anointing, and the priestly office; but  have not remembered that their bodies must first be washed with pure  water.
We must be clean in our habits. - If there is anything in our  daily behavior which is not quite clean, it must be put away. There seems some  incongruity between the anointing of the Holy Ghost and the smell of spirits or  fumes of tobacco. Any excessive indulgence of the flesh, even in legitimate  directions, and all indulgence in wrong ones, are inconsistent with the life of  consecration.
We must be cleansed in our thoughts. - Whenever temptation  is suggested, even though it is still in the far distance, we must turn from it  with loathing, and ask that the blood of Jesus may go on cleansing hour by hour.  "Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Thy Holy Spirit, that  we may perfectly love Thee."
We must be cleansed in our intentions. - The  self-life recedes as it is driven from the outworks of our nature, and goes  deeper into the motives and springs of action. We discover that self is the  spring of so much of our religious activity. Everywhere we need the laver, the  hourly washing of John 13.