Leviticus Chapter 8
The preceding chapters have been the instructions given to Moses by God for the sacrificial work of the Tabernacle. It was now time to consecrate the priests, Moses’ brother Aaron and his sons to the work God called them to do. This consecration ceremony was not just a ritualistic ceremony but rather each component carried heavy meaning for the priests and for the people. These men were going to be consecrated or set apart for holy service to God. They would act as the mediator for men and women with God.
Let's Reflect
1. Who was called to witness the acts of consecration of the priests?
2. Some Bible scholars believe that the washing ceremony was a full immersion into water. It would have been a humbling experience to be washed by someone else as a grown adult and even more humbling to have this happen in front of a crowd. Then Moses dressed Aaron in the priestly clothes. Perhaps the most important piece of the attire was the inscribed plate that was attached to the turban. What did the inscription read? See Exodus 28:36.
“Note, that these garments were provided for them. They were at no expense in buying them, nor labour in weaving them, nor skill in making them; they had simply to put them on. And you, dear child of God, are to put on the garments which Jesus Christ has provided for you, at his own cost, and freely bestows upon you out of boundless love.” [Spurgeon]
3. Moses showed to the people that these men were being consecrated or set apart to God by sprinkling them with oil. What else was sprinkled with the anointing oil?
4. As they killed and sacrificed these animals on this first day of the consecration of the Tabernacle they placed their hands on the head of the animal. This was a hard press on the head to symbolize a transfer of the debt of their sins were placed or pushed down onto the animal. This was a time of confessing their sins. Each of the animals were sacrificed as God specified with each having significant meaning. The portions of the ram that was offered was placed in the hands of Aaron and his sons and they lifted their arms toward heaven to show God their sacrifice. What was this part of the ceremony called?
5. Moses sprinkled the blood from the sacrifice on various objects of the Tabernacle, and he also dipped his finger into the blood and placed it on several parts of Aaron and his sons. What parts were smeared with blood on their bodies?
6. Not only were they consecrated with the blood of the sacrificed animals, but they would eat some of the cooked meat as part of this consecration or ordination of the priests. What did they eat along with the meat?
7. God gave a commandment that the priests needed to stay within the court of the Tabernacle for a certain length of time for their full consecration or they would die. What was the length of their consecration?
8. How did Aaron and his sons respond to the instructions and commandments given for their ordination as priests?
Devotionals
