How to create  a Special Group of Godly People. 

 (Leviticus 8: 1-40)

 "Sometimes, we attend meetings with specific intentions. We anticipate gaining something from the meeting, be it knowledge, insights, or inspiration. This might not always be at a church gathering; it could be any event. For instance, you might attend a wedding not expecting a personal takeaway, but unexpectedly, you do. It wasn't part of the plan, yet you gleaned something valuable from the occasion. A wedding can serve as an illustration. This illustrates that there are occasions where you don't anticipate personal gain, yet you end up learning something.

In this chapter I invite you to a meeting of this sort. It's not centered around you; it's not designed for your personal gain. However, if you pay close attention, there's something for you. I direct your attention to the Book of Leviticus, Chapter 8. Until now, we've explored a series of offerings in Leviticus, totalling five. When it comes to offering these, Moses made it clear in the Book of Exodus that you don't offer them yourself; you bring the offering, but a priest conducts the sacrifice. Thus, you need an offering, and a priest does the necessary. This chapter delves into the ordination or consecration of priests. What's particularly intriguing is that starting from Exodus, Chapter 25, through Chapter 40, apart from a mention of the golden calf incident, the entire section is devoted to the Tabernacle and the priest.

In Exodus, Chapters 28 and 29, we receive numerous instructions concerning the priest. Those were instructions; but this chapter in Leviticus is about their implementation. This chapter involves the dedication, for lack of a better word, of the priest. What I aim to do is draw your attention to that dedication ceremony. It's not about you, not designed for you, yet, if you pay close attention, when we reach the end, I'll demonstrate how some aspects of this apply to all of us. With that in mind, let's commence with Leviticus, Chapter 8, starting at verse one.

Aaron and His Sons Consecrated

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, the anointing oil, a bull as the sin offering, two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread; and gather all the congregation together at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.”

So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. And the congregation was gathered together at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 5 And Moses said to the congregation, “This is what the Lord commanded to be done.” Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. And he put the tunic on him, girded him with the sash, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him; and he girded him with the intricately woven band of the ephod, and with it tied the ephod on him. Then he put the breastplate on him, and he put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastplate. And he put the turban on his head. Also on the turban, on its front, he put the golden plate, the holy crown, as the Lord had commanded Moses. Also Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. He sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, anointed the altar and all its utensils, and the laver and its base, to consecrate them. And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him.

Then Moses brought Aaron’s sons and put tunics on them, girded them with sashes, and put hats on them, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Leviticus 8: 1-13)

Moses followed the Lord's instructions, and the congregation gathered at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. This is a notably public event, as emphasized in the first four verses. 

Verse 5 records Moses addressing the congregation, conveying the Lord's command. Given the circumstances, it's reasonable to assume that not everyone could physically fit inside the Tabernacle, especially at the entrance. Representatives were likely present, responding to Moses' summons. This ceremony for the dedication of priests includes three key elements: the cleansing and clothing, the anointing, and the subsequent sacrifices. The bulk of this chapter deals with these aspects.

In Verse 6, we find that Moses washed Aaron and his sons with water. As you may recall, as one entered the Tabernacle, the first item encountered was the brazen altar for offerings. Moving further, in the courtyard, the next item was the laver. Following this cleansing, they proceeded to ceremonial clothing, a symbolic act representing spiritual cleansing.

The subsequent verses detail the intricate process of clothing Aaron as part of this dedication ceremony. They depict a symbolic representation of the priestly role Aaron and his sons were about to undertake, aligning with the Lord's command to Moses. The specifics of these rituals echo the earlier instructions in Exodus, especially regarding the garments.

This is a description focused solely on the high priest's garments; it doesn't encompass all priests—only the high priest and his distinctive vestments. To truly grasp this, visual aid is crucial. A Google search for 'high priests' can provide an array of excellent images. One key feature that should be there is a breast plate on the front, bearing a 'Urim' and 'Thummim,' although much remains unknown about their precise use in how they might have helped determine God's will by the high priest. 

The core message of this passage is to underscore the unique garments of the high priest, setting him apart and distinguishing him. The attire is intricate; upon seeing him in full regalia, one would unmistakably recognize him as the high priest. Its purpose was to shift focus away from the individual to their function or duty. The purpose of the priestly garments was to downplay the individual and elevates the office. It's comparable to modern uniforms; for instance, when you see a police officer's uniform, you immediately associate it with the function, not just the person. The same principle applies to other uniformed roles, like doctors, nurses, or bellhops. The uniform triggers an immediate association with the function. Likewise, upon seeing the high priest in these distinctive garments, the children of Israel would instantly recognize him as the high priest, relating to his function.

Before proceeding, let's highlight another crucial point. It was only the high priest that wore these garments which was Aaron. That is significant because if you recall our journey through the book of Exodus, where Moses ascended Mount Sinai. During his absence, Aaron was involved in crafting the golden calf, an shockingly bad transgression of God’s law. The astounding aspect of this scripture is that Aaron, who committed this gravest offense, was subsequently appointed as the high priest. A parallel situation can be found in the New Testament with Peter, who denied the Lord three times. Yet, on the day of Pentecost, Peter assumed the role of a great preacher, leading to the salvation of 3000 people. These instances serve as reminders that the Lord employs sinners. Why? Simply because He has no other option when utilizing human agents. While He could use angels, but He chooses to employ humans, and in doing so, that invariably means He selects a sinner. That should provide reassurance to all of us.

Moving on to verse 10, Moses proceeds to the anointing. Anointing, signifying dedication involves setting something apart for sacred purposes. Initially, it emphasizes the anointing of the Tabernacle, denoting its consecration. Further details underscore the repetition of anointing the Tabernacle seven times. The significance of 'seven' lies in the context of the Lord completing creation in seven days, signifying wholeness and completeness. Thus, the sevenfold anointing symbolized the complete consecration of the Tabernacle. Following this, the anointing extended to the high priest, Aaron, and then expands this anointing to Aaron's sons, a ritual initiated here but repeated in subsequent generations as new high priests and priests assumed their roles. Now, let's delve into the offerings, a pivotal aspect of this chapter.

And he brought the bull for the sin offering. Then Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull for the sin offering, and Moses killed it. Then he took the blood and put some on the horns of the altar all around with his finger and purified the altar. And he poured the blood at the base of the altar, and consecrated it, to make [d]atonement for it. Then he took all the fat that was on the entrails, the fatty lobe attached to the liver, and the two kidneys with their fat, and Moses burned them on the altar. But the bull, its hide, its flesh, and its offal, he burned with fire outside the camp, as the Lord had commanded Moses. Then he brought the ram as the burnt offering. And Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram, and Moses killed it. Then he sprinkled the blood all around on the altar. And he cut the ram into pieces; and Moses burned the head, the pieces, and the fat. Then he washed the entrails and the legs in water. And Moses burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt sacrifice for a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Lev 8: 14-21)

Verses 14 to 17 outline three offerings made in commemoration of the dedication of the high priest and the priests. Firstly, the sin offering involved a bull, with Aaron and his sons placing their hands on it symbolically, transferring their sins. Moses performed this sacrificial act, even though he was not a priest. This marks the only instance where Moses undertook a priestly role. The subsequent steps involved anointing the altar and burning specific fats and remaining flesh, including certain organs, was burned outside the camp, underscoring the sin offering's recognition of the need for atonement even for those consecrated to holy roles.

This section is a detailed account of the three offerings presented during this consecration ceremony. In verse 18, it introduces the burnt offering, which is the second offering. Moses carries out the prescribed ritual for this offering, similar to the one outlined in chapter one, although Moses performs it here rather than the priest. The burnt offering essentially involved a lamb whose blood is sprinkled around the altar. The lamb is then cut into pieces, washed, and completely burnt on the altar, creating a sweet aroma, a fire offering to the Lord, following the Lord's instructions.

And he brought the second ram, the ram of consecration. Then Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram, and Moses killed it. Also, he took some of its blood and put it on the tip of Aaron’s right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. Then he brought Aaron’s sons. And Moses put some of the blood on the tips of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. And Moses sprinkled the blood all around on the altar. Then he took the fat and the fat tail, all the fat that was on the entrails, the fatty lobe attached to the liver, the two kidneys and their fat, and the right thigh; and from the basket of unleavened bread that was before the Lord he took one unleavened cake, a cake of bread anointed with oil, and one wafer, and put them on the fat and on the right thigh; and he put all these in Aaron’s hands and in his sons’ hands, and waved them as a wave offering before the Lord. Then Moses took them from their hands and burned them on the altar, on the burnt offering. They were consecration offerings for a sweet aroma. That was an offering made by fire to the Lord. And Moses took the breast and waved it as a wave offering before the Lord. It was Moses’ part of the ram of consecration, as the Lord had commanded Moses. Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood which was on the altar, and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his garments, on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him; and he consecrated Aaron, his garments, his sons, and the garments of his sons with him.

(Lev 8: 22-30)

Moving forward, verse 22 presents the third offering, the ram of consecration. Again, Aaron and his sons lay hands on its head symbolically, transferring their consecration to the animal. These offering highlights fellowship, symbolized by the use of the second ram. The significant act involves putting blood on the tip of Aaron's right ear, thumb of his right hand, and big toe of his right foot. This act can be interpreted as a symbolic consecration of the priest's ability to hear and obey, using their hands and feet the whole body in their priestly functions. It is a comprehensive setting apart, signifying their dedication to fulfilling the Lord's commands. Moreover, this ceremony extends to Aaron's sons as well, ensuring they too are set apart for obedience, service, and their walk, in line with the Lord's guidance. The offering also involves presenting fats and specific body parts on the altar. These are parts of the wave offering, signifying their sanctification for their priestly roles. The breast of the ram, representing Moses' portion, is also waved as an offering before the Lord, adhering to the Lord's command.

Moses further utilizes anointing oil and blood from the altar to sanctify Aaron and his son's garments, reiterating the act of setting them apart for their priestly duties. This part of the ceremony closely resembles the fellowship offering previously described in chapters three and seven. The key distinction lies in the use of blood, emphasizing the importance of consecration for the priests and their role in communion with the Lord. This concludes the peace offering or fellowship offering ritual within this consecration ceremony." "What we've seen thus far are three distinct aspects: the high priest adorned in special garments, the anointing of the priests and their sons with oil and blood, and the offering of three sacrifices. In the concluding verses of this chapter, specific instructions are given. 

And Moses said to Aaron and his sons, “Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle of meeting and eat it there with the bread that is in the basket of consecration offerings, as I commanded, saying, ‘Aaron and his sons shall eat it.’ What remains of the flesh and of the bread you shall burn with fire. And you shall not go outside the door of the tabernacle of meeting for seven days, until the days of your consecration are ended. For seven days he shall consecrate you. As he has done this day, so the Lord has commanded to do, to make atonement for you. Therefore, you shall stay at the door of the tabernacle of meeting day and night for seven days and keep the charge of the Lord, so that you may not die; for so I have been commanded.” So, Aaron and his sons did all the things that the Lord had commanded by the hand of Moses.

(Leviticus 8: 21-36)

Verse 31 directs Aaron and his sons to cook the flesh at the entrance of the Tabernacle and consume it there, along with the consecration offering's bread from the basket. They must not leave the Tabernacle for seven days, dedicating and consecrating themselves, following the Lord's command, ensuring their atonement and safety. This marks the completion of the priestly consecration ceremony, establishing a profound fellowship between the priests and the Lord. 

The peace offering, symbolizing fellowship, is an integral part of this ceremony, emphasizing the priests' unique privilege of communing with the Lord. Their act of consuming parts of the sacrifices underscores this fellowship. It's important to note that a sin offering was also involved in this consecration, highlighting that God did not demand perfection from the priests. He provided atonement and enablement, making them suitable for their service. The priests faithfully followed all of the Lord's commands through Moses. Though this ceremony primarily concerns the consecration of the priest, there are relevant aspects for us today. 

As I've mentioned, while this ritual isn't directly for us, there are elements applicable to our lives. In 1 Peter 2:5, Peter addresses believers, portraying them as 'living stones' and forming a spiritual house and a holy priesthood. As this verse emphasizes, believers today though not having a physical Tabernacle, still constitute a holy priesthood. We as Christian believers offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, underscoring our priestly role. Though our sacrifices differ from those in the Old Testament, being spiritual rather than literal, we partake in the priesthood, offering our spiritual worship to the Lord."

In Leviticus chapter 8 we see a full doctrine of sin emerge in a way not yet seen in the bible. A doctrine of sin emerges very clearly showing universality and pervasiveness of sin. This is why the men chosen to minister to God in the Tabernacle needed purification offerings to be made , even their clothes and bodies were stained with sin and they must be sprinkled with blood of the sacrifice to purify them. These sacrifices were not offered just once they were repeated because sin is so deeply rooted in human nature and often reoccurs there is no once for all cleansing known in the Old Testament so God set up a system of ordinances and ceremonies to bring into focus the perpetual cleansing that is needed when it comes to sin. But believers today cleanse our sins by simply confessing them to the Lord. First John 1:9 says, ‘If we confess our sins he's faithful and just to forgive us our sins and the cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

In the Old Testament the priest was needed for perpetual spiritual cleansing. Today bible based Christian believe in a priesthood of all believers.In the New Testament Paul says,

“I beg you therefore brothers and sisters by the mercies of God that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice.”

(Romans 12: 1)

That verse often gets misunderstood and misapplied it's often used to say that there's this one time you dedicate yourself to the Lord but that's not exactly what that verse means within the context of the entire passage. Back in Romans chapter six he talked about presenting your body as an instrument of righteousness or to use your body as an instrument of sin. So, when it gets to chapter 12 he uses the same word, ‘presents’, and he's saying you need to present your body a living sacrifice and the idea is that in chapter 6 is that you're using your body to obey the Lord Symbolises in Leviticus chapter 8 by  the ear, the hands and the feet. Simply put we need to obey the Lord we need to be cleansed and then we need to be now 

I said at the beginning of this study that exodus chapter 28 and 29 God gave Moses the instructions for the consecration of the priests and then you get to Leviticus chapter 8 and this is its application. Just think of it as Gpd gives the instructions in exodus and  Moses carries them all out in Leviticus.

One more thing we need cleansing we need and we need to offer sacrifices but what do spiritual sacrifice look like.

Hebrews chapter 13 and look at verse 12 

Therefore, Jesus also that he might sanctify the people with his own blood suffered outside the gate therefore let us go forth to him outside the camp bearing his reproach for here we have no continuing city but we seek the one that is to come therefore by him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

(Heb 13: 12)

If you lived in the Old Testament, and you were a priest you have to take a sacrificial animal and kill it. But I'm going to let you off the hook today, all you have to do is praise the Lord, can you handle that then you're functioning as a priest and you're offering a sacrifice.

There's more look at the next verse but do not forget to do good and to share for with such sacrifices God is well pleased God considers any good thing you do to be a sacrifice. Here is the point you are a priest as a priest to do that you need to go do something good for somebody and that’s a whole lot easier than raising an animal and taking it to the Tabernacle and killing it right. So remember the tip of your ear the thumb of your right hand the big toe on your right foot part.  So should be your tongue praise the Lord, use your hands and feet to go do what he said do,  which is praise him, share his blessing with others and do that which is good and godly.