…Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests… were ordained to serve as priests…

Numbers 3:3, NIV

The word ordained in this verse is also translated as consecrated in other Bible versions. If I asked you to define either word, I doubt you would come within a mile of its meaning in as used here in the Hebrew language of the Old Testament.

The word ordained in Numbers 3:3 is translated from a compound word which combines the Hebrew word male, which means to fill, and yawd, which means the open hand. The compound word means, therefore, to fill the open hand.

You probably thought that ordination and consecration refer to being set apart for God’s use — and you would be right! However, as usual, the words in the Hebrew language comes to us as richly layered truth presented as a unique word picture. This picture illustrates what is the result or effect of being ordained/consecrated — which is very valuable information indeed. Like something Yoda would say.

Let’s begin at the beginning. You became a Christian, and at some point — instantly for some, more gradual for others — you realize you are not just saved, you are called by God to take part in His holy and wonderful work. Paul says in Ephesians 2:10:

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

It begins with a surprising passion

God’s callings are often first known in the form of a passion, a desire that just keeps coming, and won’t go away. My calling as a teacher for God came in the form of a crazy desire to teach a Sunday school class to first grade kids. Crazy, because I’d never taught anyone anything, much less a group of kids that large. I could handle one (my own) or two (when the neighbor’s kid came over to play), but a whole group intimidated me.

Yet our smallish church suddenly was missing a teacher for that group, and to my own surprise, I really wanted to do it, in spite of being clueless about how to go about it. It was, I figured, just a temporary assignment. Well, that was in 1982, and as I write this in 2009, I look back on almost three decades of pure JOY in my work of teaching for God. But in 1982, all I had was an incomprehensible combination of desire, fear and trembling. And a pastor desperate enough to say, “Sure, go ahead. They’re just first graders. You’ll be fine.”

No one ordained me or consecrated me for that work. At least, no human did. But hindsight tells me that God did exactly that, when I wasn’t looking. Because that first grade Sunday school class went great. I went in feeling like an imposter, and came out feeling like a natural. Yet I knew there was nothing in me that made that happen.

Except maybe, that I did open my hand to God that day. And when I did, He filled it.

Numbers 3:3 reveals the process

Even in its brevity, Numbers 3:3 shows us the progression from salvation to calling to ordination/consecration.

First, God appointed the sons of Aaron to be His priesthood. The only things we know for sure were on their resumes when God appointed them, were brickmaker and nomad. It’s easy to imagine they felt the same way I did facing those first graders.

Next, God instructed Moses to anoint them for the work. Anointing in Scripture always points to the Holy Spirit’s presence. In other words, God doesn’t appoint you to a job and then wander off and leave you to figure out how to do it. His Spirit is present with you in the work to guide and direct with His wisdom.

Finally, you are maleyawd, ordained/consecrated. Called and anointed, your act of acceptance of this calling is to open your hands, and trust God to fill them. This is what we often refer to when we speak of stepping out in faith. Certain of our calling, and filled with passion for the work, we don’t let fear of inadequacy hold us back. Hebrews 10:38 carries a warning for the one who shrinks back in such fear:

My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.

To be ordained is to be fully equipped… by the Spirit of God

God always fills the hands of those He sets apart for a certain work. He never calls you to a work without equipping you for that work. The provision for this is also, the Holy Spirit. He is your equipper. Filling the hands of the called one is the act of investing him or her with everything needed to carry out the calling.

One of the greatest illustrations of this comes from Exodus 31, when God gave Moses very detailed instructions to build an elaborate, often intricate mobile worship shrine called The Tabernacle. Exodus 31:1-11 says,

Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills — to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.

Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent — the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand — and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place.

God’s plan called for skilled labor of many kinds, yet His labor pool was those same former brickmakers and nomads!

And then there is Moses himself. God called Moses, a middle-aged shepherd, to deliver His people from slavery in Egypt — a feat of terrifying proportions in millions of souls, and coming against an all-powerful, sorcery-backed Pharaoh whom Moses had seen in action. Moses, feeling totally inadequate for such a job, put God off at first. God was not deterred:

So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
And God said, “I will be with you. Exodus 3:10-12

Did you catch that? God doesn’t answer Moses’ question. He doesn’t address who Moses is, or isn’t. God isn’t concerned, because the main thing Moses needs, is God to be with Him. There it is again — that is the anointing. The Presence of God. God doesn’t just bestow ability; He IS ability. And I say with complete confidence and personal experience, God delights in this partnership. Ultimately, your level of skill is not an issue for God. What matters is He is with you. And, of course, you are with Him!

Inherent in this ability is also the authority, the right, the permission. You are not just equipped for the work God calls you to, you are authorized to do it. In Jesus’ name and for His sake, you have permission and the right. You belong where God calls you. It is right for you to be there, and to do what He has filled your heart and hands with a desire to do.

God still has a royal priesthood: His redeemed ones.

As 1st Peter 2:9 reveals, the born-again children of God are now His royal priesthood. As a covenant child of God the Father, you are called. You are anointed — His Spirit is present with you, every moment you draw breath. And you have been called and prepared to do works for Him. Regardless of how inadequate you may feel, how unqualified you are in natural worldly ways, you can be sure that your open hands are ever filled with everything needed for the work of His heart and kingdom.

You are NOT empty-handed!