The first seven chapters of Leviticus instructed the priests as well as the worshipers in the five offerings/sacrifices acceptable to God in worship. The burnt offering symbolized forgiveness of sin (Leviticus 1; 6:8-13), the grain offering pictured a consecrated and thankful heart (Leviticus 2; 6:14-23), the peace offering was given to celebrate fellowship between God and man (Leviticus 3; 7:11-36), the sin offering was offered for non-defiant sins (Leviticus 4:1-5:13; 6:24-30), and the trespass offering was given to make restitution for damages done (Leviticus 5:14-6:7; 7:1-10). Since the priests were intimately involved in assisting the worshipers in their offerings, they needed to be consecrated to God before the people so God commanded Moses to “Bring Aaron and his sons, along with their sacred garments, the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of bread made without yeast, and call the entire community of Israel together at the entrance of the Tabernacle” (8:1-3, NLT). When everyone was gathered, Moses washed Aaron and his sons with water and first clothed Aaron, the high-priest, with the priestly garments which were described in Exodus 27:1-28:43 (8:6-9). Then as a sign of being set apart for use in the tabernacle Moses anointed the furniture, the utensils, and priests (8:10-12). Moses also clothed Aaron’s sons in their priestly garments (8:13). Following these rituals, three sacrifices were offered as a part of this consecration ceremony: a bull for a sin offering (8:14-17), a ram for a burnt offering (8:18-21), and a ram for a fellowship offering (8:22-29). Moses played the part of the priest in administering these sacrifices while Aaron and his sons were seen as the worshipers. The sin offering was given on behalf of Aaron and his sons and the laying of hands on the bull symbolized a transfer of sins from the sinner to the innocent sacrifice. The burnt offering was identical to the one described in Leviticus 1. The fellowship or peace offering was offered and the blood from the ram was smeared on the lobe of Aaron and his sons’ right ear, on the thumb of the right hand, and on the big toe of the right foot (8:22-24). This represented their commitment to listen to the word of God, serve Him faithfully in the tabernacle, and live holy lives. After the sacrifices had been made, Aaron and his sons were anointed with oil and blood (8:30) and then ate the flesh from the ram of the fellowship offering (8:31-32). Following the meal they would enter a seven day confinement in the tabernacle, which would complete their days of consecration (8:33-36).
On the eighth day Aaron and his sons began performing their priestly duties. Aaron was to offer a sin offering and a burnt offering for himself (9:1-2) followed by four offerings for the children of Israel: a sin offering, burnt offering, peace offering, and grain offering (9:3-4). Moses gathered all the congregation of Israel together and offered the sacrifices for himself and the people as the Lord had commanded (9:5-21). Aaron raised his hand toward the people, blessed them, entered into the tabernacle with Moses, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people (9:22-23). ”And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces” (9:24). The fire consuming the offerings meant that God had accepted their sacrifices and the people were joyful that they had pleased the Lord.
Dear God, thank You for allowing me to come before You and worship.
