Leviticus 8 Commentary: Aaron is ordained.
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Aaron is consecrated. Both the sin offering and the burnt offering are slaughtered accordingly but not before a water bath. Physical cleansing was important. It represented the desired cleanliness of heart.
The ram was also slaughtered in a prescribed way for Aaron’s ordination. The process took 7 days.
The importance of this event points to our lives as saints today. Aaron is washed before being dressed. The dress has equipment necessary for him to function as a priest. Believers need tools to function as ministers.
We do well to pay attention to the dress code as it detailed an important armory. This armory is comparable to Paul’s dress code in Ephesians. Like we have the belt of truth and the sword of the Spirit (Word), so we have a garment representing holiness to the LORD, justice, intercession, direction and decision making. The garment had meaning in context but also for the church today. The Ephod carried symbols that still instructs the saint to stay connected to his role as an intercessor.
The ordination process is long but it is not equivalent to becoming a Christian, rather it details the process of sanctification for the saint. It does take time. It is a process that involves killing sinful aspects of our lives as represented by the killing of animals. The fact that this process takes seven days points to a life time process for the saint.
The other offering was a burnt offering before the LORD which now represents a continued relationship with the LORD via prayer and service to the LORD. Again it’s meant to last a life time. The seven days suggest completeness.
But really, did it take us this long to become priests? The list of requirements is long. Firstly and importantly we have Aaron and his sons. There is no priesthood without people. There is no priest without a man offering himself and being available to become one. The garments, the animals, the anointing oil, the unleavened bread and the water were all required to be present for the ordination.
Truth is that at salvation all the objects represented by these symbols in chapter 8 come into play. The lamb was killed. Someone was washed. The sin offering was presented. The burnt offering was presented. Blood was smeared all around. Someone was dressed for the purpose. Someone was anointed. All these? Yes. The “say after me” prayer at salvation is process made simple but in reality the saint is drawn to appreciate the processes achieved on their behalf at the cross.
The more we read into these ancient practices the more we appreciate the happenings in the first four books of the New Testament. And you and me are very much part of the movie. It is winter here and I wouldn’t love the bathing part but you are never a priest without it. Have you been washed?
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