The setting apart of people, things, times or places as sacred, for God to use.
Explanation and instructions concerning this reading plan
This is a comprehensive list of the concept of consecration throughout the Bible. Although the Old Testament practices of consecration (both in form and function) differ significantly from consecration in the New Testament, they demonstrate the importance and historical practices of consecration throughout the Bible. Also remember that some consecration that we read about is prescribed and demanded by God and other consecration is the act of individuals fueled by a sincere desire for or a personal pursuit of God’s favor or blessings in their life.
Each day of our reading we will build an appreciation for consecration and sanctification culminating in a final week of intense focus on NT scriptures that speak specifically to the abandonment of our will to Jesus Christ.
God’s Righteousness Demands Consecration
Focus Scripture:
Exodus 32:29 (Read chapter for context)
Lev 20:7-8 (See also Lev 11:44; 22:32)
WEEK 1 READING
Biblical Examples of the Consecration of People
The importance of personal consecration
- Rom 6:13
- Pro 23:26
Inward consecration to God is symbolized by outward cleansing
- Ro 12:1
- 2Co 5:14-15
- 1Pe 2:24
- Ex 19:10,14
- 1Sa 16:5
- 2Ch 30:17; 35:6
- Ps 50:5; Ro 12:1
The consecration of all firstborn males
- Ex 13:2
- Lk 2:22-23 See also Ex 13:12-13
- Nu 3:11-13; 8:17-18 (The Levites served in place of the firstborn males in Israel).
The consecration of priests
- Ex 29:1 See also Ex 19:22
- 1Ki 13:33
- 2Ch 30:3,24
The consecration of the Aaronic priesthood
- Ex 30:30 See also Ex 28:41
- Lev 8:30
- 1Ch 23:13
The consecration of the Levitical priesthood
- 1Ch 15:12
- 2Ch 23:6; 29:5; 35:3
Special consecration is marked by a vow
- Nu 6:8,11 (the Nazarite vow)
WEEK 2 READING
Biblical Examples of the Consecration of Things
Altars
- Ex 29:36-37 See also Ex 30:29
The use of oil in consecration
- Ex 40:9-11
- Lev 8:11-12
Offerings
- Ex 28:38; 29:27
- Lev 22:2
- 2Ch 30:17
Garments
- Ex 28:3; 29:21; 40:13
- Nu 15:39-40
Bread
- 1Sa 21:4,6
- Mt 12:4
- Mk 2:25-26
- Lk 6:3-4
Meat
- Hag 2:12 The state of consecration could be transmitted
- Jer 11:15 (True consecration should involve a right spirit).
Biblical Examples of the Consecration of Places
- Ex 19:23 Mount Sinai
- Ex 29:43-44 (the Tent of Meeting)
The Tabernacle
- Lev 8:10
- Nu 7:1
The Temple
- 1Ki 8:64
- 2Ch 7:7
- 1Ki 9:3
- 2Ch 7:16
- 2Ch 29:17-19
Week 3 Reading
Biblical Examples of the Consecration of Specific Times
- Lev 25:10 (the Year of Jubilee)
The Sabbath
- Ge 2:3
- Ex 20:8,11
- Dt 5:12
The consecration of daily life
- 1Ti 4:4-5 See also Zec 14:20-21
Consecration as preparation for work and worship
- Nu 11:18
- Jos 3:5; 7:13
NT Consecration as Abandonment of Self-Will and Serving God Alone
- 2Tim 2:14-26
- 2Cor 8:5
- Phil 3:7-10
- John 4:34
- Acts 20:24
- 1Cor 7:35
- 1Thes 5:23
- 1Tim 4:15
- Phil 2:5-11
- 1Cor 6:19-20
- Gal 2:20
- Gal 5:24
- Gal 6:14
- Rom 8:1-10
- 2Cor 4:10-11
- 1Pet 4:1-2