Ear, Thumb and Toe
Today, I worked on a written timeline of some key events of the last two years. It is interesting to see what happened when in the midst of my recovery. Debbie says, she should have kept a better log of events. (Like you do with a newborn) After a fitness center workout, I had a meeting at Morning Star Assisted Living Center regarding some Bible studies and Chapel services.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “You are to take the second ram, and Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on the ram’s head. Slaughter the ram, take some of its blood, and put it on Aaron’s right earlobe, on his sons’ right earlobes, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Sprinkle the remaining blood on all sides of the altar.” Exodus 29:19,20 HCSB
The instructions that the Lord gives Moses on the mountain are very specific. They begin with the material and instructions for the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Then we see the specifics about Aaron and his sons as the priests. They have special garments and there is a special preparation ceremony for them to be qualified to serve.
A holy God, required holy representatives from among the people. We see the sanctification and purification process began with Aaron and his sons laying their hands on the rams head. This was a symbolism of laying on the head of the ram, their sins. Then we see some blood from the slaughtered ram was to be placed on the right ear, right thumb and right toe of Aaron and his sons.
The specifics are very interesting. It wasn’t the head, hand and foot, but very specific about the placement on the head, hand and foot. The thumb and big toe are critical to the function of the hand and the foot. You can adjust and adapt to function missing a finger or toe, but the thumb and the big toe are critical for dexterity and balance.
Proverbs says there are six things the Lord “hates.” “The Lord hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to Him:
 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil….” (Prov. 6:16-17 NIV)
The ear while not mentioned specifically, is vital to speech. Hands are instruments of wrong and feet carry us to places we should not be and doing things we should not do to please a holy God.
There are two aspects here of importance. First, the blood on the ear, thumb and toe speak of forgiveness, cleansing and sanctification. But also, a sanctified ear is ready to hear what the Lord has to say. A sanctified thumb represents a hand that is ready and prepared to do what the Lord instructs. And a sanctified toe, represents feet that are prepared and willing to go where the Lord would send.
Paul writes to Timothy and says, “So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21 HCSB) We realize that our “purification” comes from the Lord, but we have a duty to, “sanctify ourselves” as we live to the Lord through the power of His Spirit that He gives us. As a result, just like the priests in the Old Testament, it prepares us to hear God’s word, to do God’s work and to go where the Lord would lead.
If there is a need in our lives and world today, it is to hear God’s voice in troubling times. It is for us to be ready to “do” God’s work and for the “work of our hands” to be pleasing to the Lord. It is for us to follow the Lord, in paths of righteousness and in the life that He would have us live and to be ready to go where He leads us to do His work.
Those are important commitments. They are challenging; but with the Lord’s provision, He prepares us and then uses us for His purposes.