• Home
  • About Us
  • Bible Study
  • Media
  • Giving
  • Knowing God
  • Are You Ready?

Leviticus

Leviticus 9

The Priestly Ministry Begins

Leviticus 9:1-4

We remember that the tabernacle was completed at the end of the book of Exodus.  Leviticus picked up where it left off.  The first 8 chapters was instruction on the sacrifices and ordination of the priests who would offer them.  Now, in chapter nine, the tabernacle is put into service – Aaron and his sons begin their calling as priests. 

The eighth day is a reference to 8:33 of the seven days of ordination.  Nothing was done in a hurry or shortcut.  Aaron as high priest was to prepare himself by making atonement for his sin with a bull for a sin offering.  Then he would offer a ram as a burnt offering.

The children of Israel were to take a kid of goats for sin offering followed by a calf and lamb for a burnt offering.  This would be followed by a bull and ram for a peace offering with a grain offering.  This was done to prepare them to stand in the Lord's presence.

 

Leviticus 9:5-7

The people brought what Moses commanded them as the presented themselves before the tabernacle of meeting.  For sinful men to meet the Lord we see the requirements:

  1. Sin must be atoned for
  2. Burnt offering – complete commitment
  3. Peace offering – desire for fellowship/relationship with the Lord

The lesson is clear, certain things must be done for men to meet with God (or it wouldn't go well).  God is perfect, holy and righteous.  Mankind is fallen and can't meet the standard of perfection.  The work of a priest is required, the blood of a sacrifice is needed.  We know a work of the Spirit of God is what prepares our hearts for fellowship. 

 

Leviticus 9:8-24

Aaron makes the offerings for himself.  There are some discrepancies with the sprinkling of the blood.  This is thought to be different due to the occasion.   Then the people's offering was brought, prepared and offered.  Aaron waved the breast and right thigh offering before the Lord.

All the offerings were offered were completed.  Then Aaron blessed the people.  Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of meeting and came out and blessed the people (See Num 6:24-26; 1 Cor 13:14).  Then the Glory of the Lord appeared.  The Lord had everyone's attention.  Then fire came out before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering. 

Everyone shouted and fell on their face.  This seems like an appropriate start to tabernacle service.

God placed the system of sacrifices at the very center and heart of Jewish national life. Whatever its immediate applications and implications may have been to the Jews, the unceasing sacrifice of animals and the never-ending glow of altar fires were without doubt designed by God to burn into the consciousness of the people of Israel a sense of their deep sinfulness. They were also, for more than a millennium, a picture that pointed forward to the coming sacrifice of Christ on the cross.      [Halley, H. H. (2000). Halley's Bible handbook with the New International Version. (Completely rev. and expanded., p. 158). Zondervan Publishing House.]

 ©2022 Calvary Chapel Sweetwater