Consecration of the Priests - Leviticus 8

 

Leviticus 8 Consecration of the Priests

 

Moses is commanded to bring Aaron and his sons, with all the articles which are to be used in the consecration of the priests, to the door of the tabernacle. Then he is to gather the congregation together to witness the ritual of consecrating the priests. He brings Aaron and his sons to the laver for washing.  This signifies that they are to be holy, pure, and clean if they are to serve the Lord.  We must be cleansed to be used!  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9. The cleansing agent is the Word of God.  We need the Word of God today, and we need the leading of God to determine the will of God in our lives. 

The tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry had been sprinkled with blood and is anointed with oil which symbolizes the Holy Spirit.  He is free to move and work in the worship and the service of the tabernacle.  The act of sprinkling the oil speaks of sanctification.  Aaron was not sprinkled but anointed with oil.  Just so the Holy Spirit was poured out upon Christ at His baptism without measure. 

The bullock was the sin offering for the high priest. The four sons of Aaron could claim it as their offering too.  Their sins are transferred to the bullock. Even the altar which is used for the bloody sacrifices must be dedicated with blood.  This is to remind us that there is no merit in the wood of the cross.  The merit is in the One who shed His blood for us there. 

The blood-tipped ear symbolizes the ear that will hear the voice of God. The hand was essential for service and the foot was essential for the walk before God.   

They took parts from all the offerings and put them together and placed them in the hands of Aaron and his sons.  They then waved them before the Lord.  This was total commitment to God based on the value of one offering. They were to eat the food that is left.  Believers are to feed upon the finished work of Christ. Nothing is to be left.  All must be consumed or burned with fire.  There were to be seven days of consecration and meditation.  They were to remain continually on duty at the door of the tabernacle.  All this was done at the commandment of God.

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary