Leviticus 8
-This sections begins the consecration and ordination
process for the priests, Aaron and his sons. The LORD directs Moses, and he
faithfully and carefully follows every one of His directives in a very public
display of faith before the door at the tent of meeting of the tabernacle out
in the wilderness near Mt. Sinai. The ceremony involves clothing the priests after
they had been washed with water and come near (a shadow and type of baptism).
The clothes included the tunic girded with sash, a robe, the ephod and its
artistic band, the breastplate, the Urim and Thummim ('Uwriym – lights, Tummiym –perfections, an
obscure method of hearing from the LORD in decision making), and the turban for
the head with the golden plated holy crown at its front. Then Moses took the
anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it; He
consecrated them. Oil was sprinkled on the altar seven times (the number of
perfection). Then, Aaron’s head was anointed with oil for the consecration of
his holy work before the LORD. His sons were also consecrated, clothed, and
anointed just as the LORD had commanded Moses. A bull for the sin offering was
slaughtered with its blood properly applied around the horns of the altar for
purification, and then the rest was poured at the base of the altar thus
consecrating it, to make atonement for it. The fat was burned, every part of
it, and the hide, flesh, and refuse was burned in the fire outside the camp, just
as the LORD had commanded Moses. Next, a ram was sacrificed in basically the
same manner as the bull according to the command of the LORD as a soothing
aroma in smoke. A second ram was killed for the ram of ordination as Aaron and
his sons again, as the two sacrifices before, laid their hands on the head of
this animal as Moses slaughtered it. The blood was applied to their right ear
lobe, thumb of the right hand, and big toe of their right foot. The rest of the
blood was sprinkled around on the altar. After this Moses took the fat of the
tail, the entrails, the lobe of the liver, and the two kidneys, and the right
thigh and combined them with the proper preparation of unleavened bread mixed
with oil, a cake and a wafer, to put these on Aaron’s and his sons hands as a
wave offering before the LORD. These were offered up in smoke on the altar with
the burnt offering. They were an ordination offering for a smooth aroma by fire
unto the LORD (Leviticus 8:28). Moses also took the breast of the animal and
presented as a wave offering before the LORD as his portion of the ram of
ordination by God’s command. The anointing of oil and the blood which was on
the altar was sprinkled on Aaron and his sons along with their garments. And
then, they were allowed to boil the flesh at the doorway of the tent of meeting
and eat it there together with the bread which was in the basket of the
ordination offering. The remainder of the flesh and the bread was burned with
fire according to the command. They then remained inside the doorway for seven
days to fulfill their ordination before the LORD. This was a serious command
unto life and for the purpose of making atonement on their behalf in keeping
the charge of the LORD (Leviticus 8:33-35). “Thus Aaron and his sons did all
the things which the LORD had commanded through Moses (Leviticus 8:36).”
-*Application* The key point today for us to consider is
this: Are we doing all the things that the LORD has commanded of us? The first
step to that is a relationship through Jesus Christ, His Son (John 14:6). Water
baptism is commanded (Acts 2:38; 22:16). The ordinance of communion is a
command (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). Love is absolutely required along
with ever increasing faith (Hebrews 11:6, 1 John 4:7). To share our faith with
the whole world is our commission (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15). Each and
every one of us has a call and purpose to fulfill in life that only God has
ordained (2 Timothy 4:5). We are told to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians
6:2). Gathering with believers is essential (Hebrews 10:25). The list could go
on and on, but it all comes down to the heart. These Old Testament priests
fulfilled their requirements to the letter of the law in tremendous fashion.
This was a remarkable feat when we consider all the requirements of do’s and
don’ts. They knew what God wanted from them and carefully walked that out
publicly. They are an example for us in diligence as we are led by the Holy
Spirit, completing our followship and discipleship with our King.
Verse to Memorize:
Leviticus 8:36
No comments:
Post a Comment