Exodus 29 describes the ordination ritual for Aaron and his sons. God establishes this ordination to extend from one generation to the other. The ritual lasts seven days and involves the sacrifice of seven bulls and two rams. Each day there is to be a sin offering. Aaron and his sons are made holy by the sacrifices and are to eat of the holy sacrifice of the ram of ordination.

The altar is also consecrated for seven days and God has them consecrate the altar each year.  God consecrates the tent of meeting, the altar, and Aaron and his sons. He promises to dwell among the Israelites and be their God.

In Exodus 30 God commands Moses to make an altar that will stand in front of the curtain that is in front of the ark. Aaron is to offer incense on it every morning and evening. This practice is to continue throughout the generations.

Every year Aaron is to perform a rite of atonement (Yom Kippur) including a sin offering. Moses is to take a census of the people to register them. Each person is to give an offering of atonement money, a half shekel for each person no matter what their economic status. This per capita “tax” is different from the gift from the heart that the people gave for the construction of the tent of meeting. It is meant for the upkeep of the tent of meeting as a reminder of the ransom given for their lives.

Before Aaron and his sons go in to the altar they are to wash their hands and feet. If they don’t do this they will die.

Moses is to make a special anointing oil and anoint every part of the tent of meeting and the priests. This blend is only to be used for anointing.

It is hard for us to identify with this exacting ritual, but God clearly wanted the people to be aware that what they were doing was significant and that Aaron and his sons were selected to perform an essential function in their preservation. We often like to get rid of rituals in our daily lives. They can function to remind us of important happenings. The crucial thing is to remember why the ritual is happening and to allow it to speak to us in ways that other day to day activities cannot.

Psalm 18 has a special description as being written by David on the day he was delivered from King Saul. He acknowledges that God is his protection. He cried out in distress and God heard him. David describes the cosmic scene God saved him. It almost sounds like David believes God can make him a super hero. David doesn’t take any credit for winning the battle. He knows that it is God who delivered his enemies from him and he gives God all the praise.