Consecrated Priesthood
Leviticus Lesson #4
I. Introduction
A. Types and Shadows
1. The Old Testament is all about types and shadows.
a) Hebrews 10:1 – “For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things…”
b) The tabernacle, offerings, occasions such as Passover, or a person like Aaron (High Priest) or Moses (Law Giver) are all types and shadows of New Testament realities.
c) The New Testament anti-type is always greater than the Old Testament type or shadow.
d) They were in the Old Testament as a means of preparation of the New Testament.
2. Types and Shadows in Leviticus
a) The sacrifices of Chapter 1-7 point to Jesus’ sacrifice for the world.
b) The Passover is a shadow of Christ – 1 Corinthians 5:7
c) The duties of the High Priest is a type of Christ – Hebrews 4,7
d) The priesthood is a shadow of the church – 1 Peter 2:9-10, Revelation 1:5-6
B. Leviticus 8-10 Highlight the Priesthood of the Law
1. Three distinctive traits are found in these chapters.
a) The priesthood was to be consecrated – Chapter 8
b) The priesthood was to be actively serving – Chapter 9
c) The priesthood was to be obedient – Chapter 10
2. Tonight, the Consecrated Priesthood – Leviticus 8:33
a) “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.”
b) The word consecration (noun) in the Hebrew means a setting or an instillation.
c) The word consecrate (verb) in the Hebrew comes from to two words that literally mean, “to fill the hand.”
d) In essence God is installing a priesthood that has their hands full of God and full of service to Him.
3. Tonight Five Characteristics of God’s installed Priesthood.
II. Five Characteristic of a Consecrated Priesthood
A. They are Called to By God (8:1-5)
1. The priesthood of the Old Testament was not a haphazard selection.
a) God specifically appointed the priest from the tribe of Levi – Numbers 3:5-10
b) The High Priest was to only come from the family of Aaron – Exodus 28:1-4
c) The Levites and Aaron did not decide to priest, they were appointed by God and had to meet the requirements and conditions of the priesthood.
2. The priesthood of the New Testament is called as well.
a) The calling was planned for – Ephesians 1:4 – “…just as he chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”
b) The calling was provided for – 1 Peter 1:18-21 – “Redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot…but was manifest in these last times for you, who through Him believe in God…”
c) The calling was personalized – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 – “…Because God from the beginning, chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
d) God calls us to be priest through obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
B. They Are Cleansed Through God (8:6, 14ff)
1. The Ceremonial Cleansing of Aaron and His Sons.
a) Commanded by God – Obedience
b) Washed with water by God’s delivering servant
c) Washed publicly before the congregation
d) The entire body was only washed once, but the hands and feet were washed many times.
e) Accompanied by personal sacrifices.
f) Application of blood with the cleansing (8:24, 30).
2. Cleansing of the New Testament Priesthood
a) Through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus – Hebrews 7:25 – “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
b) Commanded by God – Acts 2:38, Acts 16:30ff
c) Cleansed in water – Hebrews 10:19-22, Acts 8:36, 22:16
d) Publicly acknowledged – Matthew 10:32
e) Application of blood – Hebrews 9:14 – “…how much more the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living Lord….”
f) Accompanied by sacrifices – Romans 12:1
C. Clothed By God (8:7-13)
1. Aaron and his sons were to be properly clothed.
a) Before clothing was cleaning.
b) The garments of the priesthood are described more fully in Exodus 28.
c) The Urim and Thummin (Light and Perfection) were part of Aaron’s clothing over the heart of the High Priest.
d) The turban on Aaron’s head contained a plate that read, “Holiness to the Lord.”
2. Christians are to be clothed properly.
a) We are to put on Christ – Galatians 3:27
b) We are to be clothed in humility – 1 Peter 5:5
c) We are to put off your former conduct and put on the new man that is created according to God in true righteousness and holiness – Ephesians 4:22-24
d) In Colossians 3:12-14 how we are clothed in Christ
a. We are to be holy and beloved
b. Tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness
c. Longsuffering, bearing one another’s burdens, forgiving.
d. Above all things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
e. Interesting that on top of all else we put on Love (perfection) and that comes from the heart (Urim and Thummin)
D. They are to be Committed Fully to God (8:24-31)
1. The Old Testament priesthood proof of commitment.
a) The first sign dealt with drops of blood on Aaron’s sons (8:24).
a. The tip of the right ear – To hear God’s word.
b. The tip of the right thumb – To do the God’s work.
c. The tip of the right big toe – To walk God’s way.
d. They were God’s servants from head to toe.
b) The second sign dealt with the sacrifices (8:31).
a. They were to eat a portion of the burnt offerings each day during their consecration.
b. Making sacrifice a part of their daily routine and a part of their sustenance.
c. John 4:34 – “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.”
2. The Committed New Testament Priesthood
a) We are to consume and be consumed by Jesus.
a. John 6:53 – “…unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink of His blood, you have no life in you.”
b. Jesus must be every part of our lives – Philippians 1:21
c. We are to love Him with all we have – Mark 12:30
b) 2 Corinthians 10:5 – “…bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…”
c) Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
E. Completed By God (8:33-36)
1. The concept of consecration deals with completion.
a) Through God’s process he ready the priest for their work.
b) Teaching them the ideas of purity, sacrifice, and obedience.
c) He did not leave them unprepared for their work, but rather left them with their hands full of resources.
2. God equips His priest today.
a) With His word – 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3
b) Prepared for every good work – 2 Timothy 2:21
c) Created in Christ for good work – Ephesians 2:10
d) Completed in Him – Colossians 2:10
III. Conclusion
A. The Consecrated (Hands Full) Priesthood
1. Called By God
2. Cleansed Through God
3. Clothed For God
4. Committed to God
5. Completed with God
B. Invitation
