Leviticus 8:1-5
Moses gathered the people at the tent of meeting; along with the priests and the required offerings. The Procedure is also detailed in Exodus 29.
"And this is what you shall do to them to hallow them for ministering to Me as priests: Take one young bull and two rams without blemish, 2 and unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil (you shall make them of wheat flour). 3 You shall put them in one basket and bring them in the basket, with the bull and the two rams. (Exodus 29:1-3)
Moses established that this is what the Lord commanded. Remember, this was all very new to them. Suddenly, one of the tribes, which was no better than any other, was chosen by God to serve as priests. In service to the Lord, they would begin to look very different than they had in Egypt; they would be looked at differently from that day forward.
This reminds us that as we are a new person in Christ, he calls us to service in His name. It is not likely to be service we are comfortable with or currently equipped for. We answer the call, step in faith and He grows us to become more like Him.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. ( 1 Peter 2:9-10)
Leviticus 8:6-9
Moses did as the Lord commanded; washing the priests with water. This displays a purification process. One didn't just step into the priesthood. You were chosen, then presented and prepared. Moses then began to prepare Aaron as the first high priest.
- Presented before God and the people.
- They stood at the entrance with God on one side and the people on the other. They would forever speak for the people to God and to the people the word and ways of God.
- Washed
- Humility – public profession
- Some Jewish interpreters say this was immersion in water.
- This was a one-time thing for their ordination.
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Heb 10:22)
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (Eph 5:25-27)
- Clothed
- The flesh was covered; the tunic with the colors of royalty.
- On their shoulders were the names of the tribes – they would carry them on their shoulders before the Lord.
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Gal 3:27)
Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (Colossians 3:12-17)
- Over their heart was the word of God
- The breastplate – with stones representing tribes, over his heart.
- The Urim and Thummim – God's word guided them.
- Not much known. Urim means light.
- Traditions say they asked 'yes' and 'no' questions and then had to draw yes indication 3 times in a row to discern God's will.
- Put a diadem on their head
- Symbol of authority granted by God.
- All authority was given to Christ, he in turn sends us in His name to spread the good news.
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Tim 4:8)
Leviticus 8:10-17
The tabernacle and all that was in it was anointed and consecrated. The altar, utensils and laver were anointed to consecrate them. The anointing oil was used to dedicate them to the service of the Lord. It is closely linked with consecration which is to render them holy for the service of the Lord. The anointing also seems to mark them with the Spirit of God. Aaron was then anointed with oil by pouring some on his head. See Psalm 133 also.
Moses then prepared Aaron's sons for the priesthood in a similar way. Then they put their hands on the bull, which was the sin offering, and Moses killed it. The sprinkling of blood was for atonement and purification of the altar. This sin offering was offered first for propitiation of sin and to put them in a right relationship with God.
Leviticus 8:18-24
Next, they offered a ram as a Burnt Offering. Then there was a second ram offered as the ram of consecration for their ordination. Moses slaughtered it and put some blood on the lobe of Aaron's right ear, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. This is very symbolic; setting aside his life for the Lord, to hear His holy word, to put his hand to God's holy work, to walk a path of His holy calling. This same act of consecration was performed on Aaron's sons.
Leviticus 8:25-29
Moses prepared the portion that would be the Lord's offering. In addition to the fat parts, he added the right thigh, a cake of unleavened bread anointed with oil and a wafer. These were put in the hands of Aaron and his sons and waved before the Lord. Then they were burnt as a burnt offering – a consecration offering.
Moses took the breast and waved it as a wave offering. This was Moses' portion of the ram of consecration.
Leviticus 8:30-36
Moses used anointing oil and some of the blood of the altar, sprinkled it on Aaron and his sons. This was a ritual purification, setting them apart for service. Aaron and his sons then prepared the meat of their offering. They would eat it at the door of the tabernacle with the bread in the basket of consecration offerings. Any leftovers were to be burned in the fire.
The consecration took 7 days to complete. It is unknown if this was a 7 day 'waiting period' or if this process was repeated daily for 7 days.
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