03 February

Bible in 365 Days

Leviticus 8-10

Leviticus 8

At this point the second section of the book commences dealing with the laws of mediation. It opens with a brief historical account of the actual ceremony of the consecration of the priests and Tabernacle and the commencement of worship.

In the sacred rites of consecration it is noticeable that Moses acted. It is an arresting thing to see him thus exercising all the functions of the priestly office, although he was not permanently appointed thereto. The explanation is that he was acting as in the very place of God. God, through His servant, anointed Tabernacle and priests. Thus at the initiation of the order the intermediary between God and the people was a man who, sharing no priestly appointment, was in direct communication with God. The final movements in the sacred rite of the consecration of the priests describes the offering to God, their acceptance through fire, and a fresh anointing of those called to the office of mediation and intercession.

In the fullness of time, the one great Priest did not approach on the basis of sacrifice for Himself, but He did appear as Mediator through sacrifice for the people in the fullness of spiritual power.

Leviticus 9

Here we see the priests actually beginning their sacred work. After the gathering of the people, they stood in solemn silence in the presence of Jehovah. Aaron's first act was bringing the sin offering and the burnt offering for himself. He could not be the instrument of mediation between the people and God for worship save as he was brought into right relationship with God

The first acts of the priests on behalf of the people are now recorded. The offerings brought were presented: first the sin offering, then the burnt offering, then the meal offering, and, finally, the peace offering. The very order of procedure is a revelation of the fundamental principles on the life of worship.

His work completed in the outer court Aaron, accompanied by Moses, passed within the Tent. What took place there is not described. Coming forth again, Moses as representative of God and Aaron as mediating priest, blessed the people and immediately the glory of the Lord was manifested in the sight of the congregation. This a was followed by the prostration and worship of the gathered multitude.

Carefully observe this order. Sin put away, life and work devoted, communion made possible; then the priestly blessing, speaking of acceptance, followed by a second blessing, which declared the divine satisfaction as it was accompanied by the manifestation of glory, and so finally the full worship of the people.

Leviticus 10

In the record there breaks in a story full of solemn significance. Two sons of Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu were guilty of offering strange fire before the Lord. They were swiftly consumed by fire. The very fire which was the medium of God's acceptance of the offering in worship was the minister of His swift judgment against that which was false. Strangely solemn are the words, "Aaron held his peace." They were his own sons, but his relation to God was superior to his relation to them and his attitude was that of submissive silence.

Closely following these solemn events Moses was charged that Aaron and his sons were to abstain from strong drink. This suggests the possibility that the sin of Nadab and Abihu had been the consequence of their excessive use of wine. Whether this be so or not, the principle is a warning to those devoted to sacred service that they must abstain from any form of false fire.

Moses then repeated instructions already given because of their special value at this juncture. A peril was threatening these men, namely, thinking that in the presence of so severe a judgment they hardly dare partake even of permitted things. The necessity for this is revealed in the fact that Aaron, Ithamar, and Eleazer had not done according to instructions, and Aaron declared he had not dared to do so in view of the things which had befallen him.