Consecration

by Toms, A. F. | Category: General | Jul 1974

Consecration is an Old Testament word meaning to fill the hands. Two Hebrew words are linked together, the word for an open hand, as distinct from a closed one, and another word meaning "to fill". The thought is a delightful one, of open hands receiving from God, and being filled for God in His service.

Moses used the word when he stood in the gate of the camp that solemn day and called, "Whoso is on the LORD's side, let him come unto me". The sons of Levi responded and Moses said to them, "Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD". Consecration that day involved taking their sword in their hand and going to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp and slaying every man his brother and companion and neighbour. It was a time of fearful judgement in Israel. Only thus could the camp be cleansed. And to the credit of the sons of Levi it is recorded that they "did according to the word of Moses". Costly though it was, they filled their hands with their swords to defend the honour of God's Name.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might" wrote the apostle, "and take ... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:10,17). Sometimes men of God are called upon to take the sword of the Spirit and to use it in judgement, for the holiness of God's camp must be maintained, as much in this day as that. "The word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword". Happily its probing work leads usually to life, not death, for the living word is life-giving, and happy the man who fills his hand with this sword and uses it for God. "As ministers of God ... in the word of truth, in the power of God" (2 Cor. 6:4,7). Eleazar, the son of Dodai, the man whose hand clave to his sword, has left us an outstanding example, for the Lord wrought a great victory in Israel the day he clasped his sword and wielded it until his hand was weary. That was true consecration.

The word is used on another occasion by David when, towards the close of his life, he gathered the whole congregation together. With all his might he had prepared treasure in abundance for the building of God's house. He told the people about it, and then he added, "Moreover also, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, seeing that I have a treasure' of mine own of gold and silver, I give it unto the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house" (1 Chron. 29:3).

Leaders of that calibre cannot fail to move the hearts of others, and when David issued the challenge, "Who then offereth willingly to consecrate himself this day unto the LORD?" the response was immediate and magnificent. Princes, captains and rulers gave the lead to the people and they offered willingly and gave for the service of the house of God. It was a day of great rejoicing in Israel "because with a perfect heart they offered willingly unto the LORD". Their hands were filled with treasures for the Lord. That also was true consecration.

But where did the treasure come from? David puts the thing in right perspective, when in the lovely prayer which poured out of his heart, he said, "Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of Thine hand (Heb. margin) have we given Thee" (verse 14). Yes, it was from God's hand to their hands, and they were merely giving back to God what they had first received from Him. But greatly blessed they were in the giving, for "the Lord Jesus Himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive". It was a delightful example of consecration, which God's people today would do well to imitate.

The word is used again in connection with the consecration of Aaron and his sons to their priestly office. Of them God said to Moses, "Thou ... shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto Me in the priest's office" (Exod. 28:4 I). That their work was literally the filling of their hands for God is brought out clearly in Leviticus 8, when on the day of their consecration Moses took the choice parts of the ram, which were specially for God, and placed them upon the hands of Aaron, and upon the hands of his sons, and waved them for a wave-offering before the Lord. Destined for the altar of God, there to ascend as a sweet savour to Him, they first of all filled the hands of the priests. Could any man be called to higher service than that? To fill the hands with that which brings God pleasure, that which speaks so intimately of the value of the Person and sacrifice of His dear Son? And are we not called to the same lofty service in God's house today?

"Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 2:5).

We do well to concern ourselves deeply with this important aspect of our service. Obviously the size of the hands would vary, and some would be able to grasp more than others. But that mattered not. The point was that their hands were to be filled. Little children, fathers, young men are all involved in holy priesthood service. Our appreciation of Christ will vary, but let us ensure that we do not appear before the Lord empty but with some sweet and fresh thoughts of Christ which will bring pleasure to the heart of God.

"What is that in thine hand?" was a pertinent question the day God first addressed it to Moses, and it ever remains an important question for the disciple of the Lord Jesus to answer in the secret of his own heart. Certainly the great Adversary will do his utmost to fill the hands of God's saints with things which are of no eternal value. And certain it is also that we cannot fill our hands with eternal things and temporal things at the same time. It must be one or the other.

Filled hands! Filled with the sword of the Spirit, with treasures for God's house, with offerings for God's altar. This is true consecration, towards which we encourage one another, for His Name's sake.

Toms, A. F. | Jul 1974
General