Holiness - As Pertaining To The Priests Series

April 26, 2025

Last week we looked at the 5 sacrifices established by God for the purpose of focusing the people’s minds on the truth that an innocent would take the place of the guilty.

Now we will turn our attention to the priesthood.

Chapter 8 outlines the complex ritual associated with the consecration of Aaron and his sons (also see Exodus 28-29) which emphasizes the canyon that exists between humans and a holy God.

Everything connected to the priesthood was intended to impress upon the people the holiness of God, the sacredness of His worship and the purity required of those who come into His presence.

It also emphasizes God’s initiative to create a way that makes him accessible – moving the priests (and the people) from the common/secular to the holy.

God told Moses to gather Aaron and his sons, (Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar) and bring them to the entrance of the courtyard.

Moses washed Aaron and his sons.

Moses dressed Aaron in the garments of the High Priest.

Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the Tabernacle and everything in it. He sprinkled the same oil on the altar of burnt offering and the basin. The Sanctuary Complex was now consecrated.

He poured the same oil on Aaron’s head – consecrating him.

Moses took Aaron’s sons and dressed them in the tunics, sashes and headbands of the priesthood.

Aaron and his sons were now set apart for service to God, but they and the Tabernacle still needed to be cleansed.

• Bull for the Sin Offering – Aaron and his sons confessed their sins as they placed their hands on the head of the bull and then Moses slaughtered it. He took some of the blood and with his finger placed blood on the 4 horns of the Altar – to purify it – then poured the rest of the blood at the base of the Altar. Parts of the bull were burned on the Altar and the rest was burned outside the camp.

• Ram for the Burnt Offering – Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the Ram. Moses slaughtered the ram and sprinkled blood against all 4 sides of the Altar. The whole ram was burned (the legs and inner parts were washed first).

• Ram for the Consecration/Dedication Offering – Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. Moses slaughtered the ram then took some of the blood and put it:

o on the lobe of the right ear (a readiness to listen and obey).

o on the right thumb (what they did).

o on the right big toe (where they went)

The rest of the blood was sprinkled on the 4 sides of the altar of burnt offering. This was a unique offering – it is an act by which a new status is given to someone. They were to be fully committed in their service to God.

Moses took some of the anointing oil and blood and sprinkled it on Aaron and his garments and his sons and their garments – consecrating them.

Finally, they were instructed to prepare and eat the consecration meal and then wait at the entrance of the Tabernacle for 7 days until their time of consecration was concluded. They were not to leave.

On the 8th day, Moses instructed Aaron, his sons and the elders of Israel to, “take a bull for your sin offering, a ram for your burnt offering, both without defect, and present them to the Lord.”

The people were instructed to, “take a male goat for a sin offering, a calf and a lamb, both a year old and without defect, for a burnt offering, and ox and a ram for a fellowship offering, together with a grain offering mixed with oil, for today Yahweh will appear to you.”

The inauguration of the system of worship began with the cleansing of the people and it is here that Aaron began his priestly ministry.

After the sacrifices were offered, Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them.

Leviticus 9:23-24 - Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.

From this moment on, no other fire would be accepted by Yahweh – this fire must never be allowed to go out (see Leviticus 6:12-13).

Aaron and his sons had been consecrated for a holy work and the Children of Israel had witnessed and been a part of a very solemn and thought-provoking process. God had approved of their efforts by sending fire from heaven.