“The Talk”

First Read Leviticus 15:1-33

In this chapter we find 4 cases of uncleanness that relate to secretions from reproductive organs. Although a person could become unclean, there is a contrast between this chapter and chapter 13-14 in which a leper had to live outside the camp of Israel. Here there is only inconveniences, but the affected person is allowed to live at home. This section has a chiastic structure:

A. Long term male discharges (1-15)

B. Short term male discharges (16-18)

B. Short term female discharges (19-24)

A. Long term female discharges (25-30)

For both men and women the process for ritual cleansing was the same.

15:3 When any man has a discharge from his body, his discharge is unclean. As far back as the Septuagint, commentators have regarded this as referring to gonorrhea.

15:4 Every bed on which the person with the discharge lies becomes unclean, and everything on which he sits becomes unclean. Anyone, moreover, who touches his bed shall wash his clothes and bath in water and be unclean until evening; Everything around the person had the potential to become unclean because of him. Notice the wait for a person who comes in indirect contact only has to wait until evening to become clean again.

15:8 Or if the man with the discharge spits on one who is clean… Such as by talking etc.

15:16 Now if the man has a seminal emission, he shall bathe all his body in water and be unclean until evening. Notice how this (verses 16-18) indirectly bans cultic prostitution which was a practice of other religions in the area.

15:25 Now if a woman has a discharge of her blood many days… such as the woman in Mark 5:25; Luke 8:43. That’s why she was so afraid to come to Jesus, by going to Jesus she could have transferred her uncleanness to other people or even to him. Which makes her act, and His response all the more remarkable.

15:31 Thus you shall keep the sons of Israel separated from their uncleanness, so that they will not die in their uncleanness by their defiling My tabernacle that is among them. This is the point of the chapter. Israel has to be taught how to live clean so God’s house isn’t polluted so He may dwell with HIs people. God wants to live with them!

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US:

• Realize we often don’t realize what makes us unclean. We are so accustomed to the way things are, and the way we are, we may not realize that what seems natural or minor to us, may be different from the view of a holy God. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless. – 2 Peter 3:14
• We should thank Christ all the more for what He did on the cross. Thankfully, Christ fulfilled the law so we no longer have to keep it. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. – Romans 8:1-4

 

House Cleaning

First Read Leviticus 14:1-57

This section will be deals with the second part of chapter 14. The previous post focused on the cleansing of a person (1-32), this one looks at the cleansing of a house (33-57). 

It wasn’t just people that could become unclean. Articles of clothing, houses, and other items could as well. Obviously an unclean house would have huge ramifications for those that lived/visited it. Since the law was given when the Israelites were still living in tents, this section looks forward to the time when they live in the Promised Land. Notice that in this section are none of the mandatory offerings for buildings only have to be clean, not atoned for.

14:35 then the one who owns the house shall come and tell the priest… It was the responsibility of the house owner to come and tell the priest.

14:39 The priest shall rest urn on the 7th day and make an inspection. If the mark has indeed spread in the walls of the house…. A key indicator of uncleanness is often the spreading which reveals its impurity/uncleanness.

14:40 Then the priest shall order them to tear out the stones with the mark in them and throw them away at an unclean place outside the city. First they’d try to deal with the local infection. Hoping if they targeted the impurity it they could get ride of it.

14:43 If, however, the mark breaks out again… Now they realize it is a more serious issue than they hoped.

14:54-57 This is the law for any mark of leprosy – even for a scale, and for the leprous garment or house and for a swelling, and for a scab, and for a bright spot – to teach when they are unclean and when they are clean. This is the law of leprosy. This section on leprosy covers a lot of space. It was an important issue that God wanted them to know and deal with. It was better for them to seek the impurity and uncleanness, rather than to live in ignorance and miss the presence of God in their lives.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US: 

• We can often see impurity based on how it spreads. Pollution always spreads. If we don’t get clean and later try to deal with one area, we may find that it’s already spread to other areas of our lives. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. – 1 Corinthians 5:6-7
• God doesn’t want His people to live in ignorance. When we see unclean areas of our lives we have to deal with them. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. – 2 Corinthians 13:5-6
• We desire people to be restored – ourselves and others.: Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. – Galatians 6:1

 

Getting Clean

First Read Leviticus 14:1-57

This section will be dealt with over two days, the first day we’ll focus on the cleansing of a person (1-32), the second day on the cleansing of a house (33-57). 

This is essentially a sequel to chapter 13 for while in 13 we found a person who had the possibility of being cut off from his/her people, in chapter 14 we find hope and restoration. What is given in chapter 14 isn’t a physical healing, but a ritual healing. It deals with how can those who have been physically healed from the skin diseases in 13, now have spiritual restoration as well. How do they once again become integrated in Israelite life and culture and even more so, come into the presence of Israel’s God.

14:3 and the priest shall go out to the outside of the camp… From the declaration of unclean to the declaration of clean and the process of being restored, the priest was the deciding role in the process. Which both meant a great responsibility and difficult choices for the priest. It’s one thing to think of this process abstractly, but when specific people, with specific names, families, lives, came with a blemish, the priest had a tough call to make. But as a representative of the God, he served, he had to make tough calls.

14:4 then the priest shall give orders to take two live clean birds… a sacrifice will be made, one will be offered up, the other will be let go.

14:10 Now on the 8th day he is to take 2 male lambs without defect, and a yearling ewe lamb without defect, and 3/10ths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, and one log of oil… sacrifices were brought. Only the peace offering (which was voluntary) was not required. It was the process of reinstatement and atonement that Chapters 1-7 brought out.

14:14,17 The priest shall then take some of the blood of the guilt offering, and the priest shall put it on the lobe of the right ear, of the one to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot… Of the remaining oil which is in his palm, the priest shall put some on the right ear lobe… Here we find what the priests went through when they were ordained in 8:23-24. Notice also, blood is placed first, and then oil. Purity, and then Holiness/Consecration follows. So also Christ’s blood was poured out first, so we could be set apart/consecrated to God.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US: 

• Restoration is absolutely essential. This is the essence of the gospel. That through the work of Christ, we who were once far from God, can come near to Him. That’s why we are grateful, worship, praise, and live for Him. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. – Ephesians 2:13

 

The Blemish

First Read Leviticus 13:1-59

In Leviticus 13 we find God giving a series of laws regarding a leper. Actually what’s called a “leper” in this section is different than what we mean today when we refer to the disease (Hansen’s). There are likely multiple skin conditions that are in view here, but the end result of them is all the same. There is a deep imperfection that is more than a short temporary blemish. That this section is also dealing with something other than leperosy is also shown in this chapter as it deals really in two parts: 1-44 identifies a blemish in people. (45-46 deals with what a leper then must do). And 47-59 on when an article or clothing has a blemish on it (likely mold in this case).

13:2 When a man has on the skin of his body a swelling or a scab or a bright spot, and it becomes an infection of leprosy on the skin of his body then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests. When a symptom of being unclean arose, it was the priest who ultimately had to make the tough call. Essentially they were saying to the person, “you can be a part of the community,” or “you can’t” Note the slight relation to Jesus saying to Peter: I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” – Matthew 16:19. God is not afraid to delegate responsibility to trustworthy people.

13:3 The priest shall look at the mark on the skin of the body, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the infection appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is an infection of leprosy; when the priest has looked at him, he shall pronounce him unclean. If it is something internal, that’s the serious and distinguishing issue. As noted in previous’ posts, “unclean” does not necessarily mean “sinful” but rather that the affected thing/person was lacking in wholeness. Something was off from how it should be. To be clean is to be whole.

13:4 But if the bright spot is white on the skin of his body, and it does not appear to be deeper than the skin, and the hair on it has not turned white then the priest shall isolate him who has the infection for 7 days. No chances were to be taken; no benefit of the doubt given. Worship of God was crucial and most important.

13:8 … if the scab has spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is leprosy. Uncleanness pollutes and is contagious.

13:37 If in his sight the scale has remained, however, and black hair has grown in it, the scale has healed, he is clean, the priest shall pronounce him clean. When what should be growing, is growing, it’s a good sign. Notice how the fruit of the Spirit should be growing and bearing fruit in our lives as well, it’s a good sign.

13:45-46 As for the leper who has the infection, his clothes shall be torn and the hair of his head shall be uncovered, and he shall cover his mustache and cry, “unclean, unclean!” He shall remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection; he is unclean. He shall live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp. This gives the course of action the leper must take. The above are all signs of mourning, as they should be for the afflicted person had to live outside the camp which mean to be cut off from the people and from the worship of his/her God. Isolation was not as coveted as it is for us today. For interaction was necessary in all parts of life. Wenhem refers to it as “a living death.” But he also notes:

Individual discomfort was not allowed to jeopardize the spiritual welfare of the nation, for God’s abiding presence with His people depended on uncleanness being excluded from their midst (cf. Isaiah 6:3-5)

13:47 When a garment has a mark of leprosy in it… wholeness/cleanness extends to garments as well as people.

Decay or corruption (in and of the environment) is incompatible with the holiness of the LORD and must be removed. – Ross.

13:49 if the mark is greenish or reddish… probably referring to mold or mildew.

13:55 After the article with the mark has been washed, the priest shall again look, and if the mark has not changed its appearance, even thought the mark has not spread, it is unclean; – In this case, it was the continued presence of the mark which made it unclean, not just if it spread.

13:56 … he shall tear it out of the garment or out of the leather… It could just be torn out to see if that worked. The seriousness of the blemish would be demonstrated if it reappeared.

Although today we no longer live in a camp, nor force people to live outside a camp, not exclude people from worship based on skin defects or blemishes, mold, etc, this section has powerful reminders to us about the seriousness of unclean pollution in our lives.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US:

• God desires for us to be whole, and so do we. Hence the beauty of Christ’s work on the cross. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:1-4
• We must deal with “fleshly” blemishes in our lives. Seeking to align with the Spirit, and not with the flesh, we have to examine  ourselves for what may seem to be a passing blemish may be a symptom of a deeper fleshly infection. We must deal with it quickly, lest it spread. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. – James 1:22-25
• God never leaves us in discouragement, but does bring encouragement. Although Lev 13 appears to leave lepers in a hopeless situation, Lev 14 will bring hope to their situation. God doesn’t leave us hopeless. This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:10-11

 

A Seemingly Weird Law on Motherhood

First Read Leviticus 12:1-8

This first appears to be an odd section of Scripture. Why would there be a section on bearing children and making women unclean? However, we must not associate sin with uncleanness. Constable notes there is a distinction between moral transgressions and ritual uncleanness. Just because a woman was ritually unclean, does not mean she had sinned.

“Unclean” doesn’t mean “sinful”, but “impure.” – Constable.

12:2 When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for 7 days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean. It wasn’t the act of birth, but the blood associated with it that made the woman unclean.

12:3 On the 8th day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. This was the sign of the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17). Other nations also had circumcision, but they appear to have used it as a rite of passage at the time of adolescence.

12:8 But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take 2 turtle doves or 2 young pigeons… This was what Mary offered in Luke 2:24. A hint at the economic status of Mary and Joseph.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US: 

• Pollution doesn’t just come from our environment, but it also can come from within. Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.) He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” – Mark 7:14-23

 

“Clean” liness is next to….

First Read Leviticus 11:1-47

In Leviticus 10:10 God told Aaron that part of his job was to distinguish between the clean and unclean to teach people how to do so. In Chapter 11 we see the unfolding of this as what follows through chapter 15 are rules on distinguishing between the clean and unclean in different areas of Israelite life. These chapters, although done away with in practice due to Christ’s work on the cross, still have much to say to us today in how we think about life with and for God. Today we can often lose sight of the fact that the God we serve is holy and perfect, and our identity is intertwined with His character. The laws of Leviticus, especially on the unclean and clean, kept people from forgetting about the holiness, wholeness, and perfection of their God.

Chapter 11 deals with what types of animals were considered clean and unclean to Israel.

11:1 The LORD again spoke to Moses and to Aaron… We find God is now going to tell Moses how to carry out the command He gave him in 10:10.

11:4 Nevertheless you are not to eat of these, among those which chew the cud, or among those which divide the hoof; the camel, for those it chews cut, it does not divide the hoof, it is unclean to you. One could not be partially clean or “clean enough.” It was either clean or unclean. No grey area. God also said, “it is unclean to you.” These are not rules for everyone in the world, but to the nation of Israel. God’s people were to identify themselves with Him in how they lived.

11:8 You shall not eat of their flesh nor touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.There is no ambiguity with God when it comes to clean or unclean. He makes it clear.

11:24 By these, moreover, you will be made unclean: whoever touches their carcasses becomes unclean until eventing, and whoever picks up any of their carcasses shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. The period of uncleanness here in chapter 11 is very short, it is always only until evening and only deals with dead animals. Notice even removing a dead animal transferred its uncleanness. Death was a consequence of sin in Genesis 2:17.

11:29 Now these are to you the unclean among the swarming things which swarm on the earth… What follows is God giving directives on “swarming” creatures, insects, etc. This category can get into houses and onto household items so God gives directives in these verses how to deal with that issue.

11:36 Nevertheless a spring or a cistern collecting water shall be clean, though the one who touches their carcass hall be unclean. It was have been difficult of a dead animal fell in a water source, for the people relied on it greatly in the ancient near east. Therefore, the cistern is still considered clean. Perhaps this is God showing great mercy to His people, or simply the fact that natural water gives life and overpowers death, after all fish die in the sea all the time, and it would have been difficult to put entire seas in the unclean category.

11:44 For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. This sums up what clean and unclean is all about. God’s people are to be consecrated, set apart for him. Whole, complete, clean.

Also notice that throughout this chapter the order of the animals are laid out the same way as the order of the animals given in creation in Genesis.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US:

• We ought to be strive to live lives holy and set apart for God. And do no be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2
• We should be careful and distinguish between the “clean” and “unclean.” Although we no longer have to worry about distinguishing between animals, there are still items that are unclean to us and which we should have no part of. For example, pornography, lying, slandering, etc. are areas that we could consider in our lives “unclean”.  Again uncleanness is contagious and it pollutes. Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8

 

Perspective

First Read Leviticus 10:1-20

Yesterday we focused on the first 3 verses. This is literally Aaron’s best and worst day of his life. He just saw God’s glory, and He also just saw his two oldest sons die. And now Moses is going to give Aaron a couple commands in handling the situation.

10:6-7 Then Moses said to Aaron and to his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, so that you will not die and that He will not become wrathful against all the congregation. but your kinsmen, who whole house of Israel, shall bewail the burning which the LORD has brought about. You shall not even go out from the doorway of the tent of meeting, or you will die; for the LORD’s anointing oil is upon you.” So they did according to the word of Moses. Neither Aaron nor his sons were allowed to take the bodies out, mourn them, or even go to the funeral. They could not leave the tent of meeting. For they were now holy and consecrated to God. Therefore they had to align themselves with God’s viewpoint. At times that what following God means for us, especially those who are called to be spiritual leaders, that when its even when its hard and emotions are high, that we must align ourselves with God. And see things/lead from His perspective. The calling is great, and therefore so is the responsibility.

10:8 The LORD then spoke to Aaron, saying… in the midst of a great sin by his sons, God directly speaks to Aaron. This is the only time in Leviticus where God speaks directly to Aaron. It’s almost a reassurance and comfort to Aaron, as much as it is directive to him. Letting Aaron know that despite the sin of his sons, he will still maintain his place as high priest of Israel.

10:9 Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die… Essentially they are not to drink on the job. But, this seems odd here. Some suggest that perhaps Nadab and Abihu were drunk and that’s why they offered the strange fire. Or it may simply be that as the spiritual leaders of Israel they are to lead rightly especially and how much more so when they are in the house of God.

10:10-11 and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane and between the unclean and the clean, and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them through Moses. Here we see the job description given from God to Aaron. They are the ones to distinguish and to teach people how to distinguish between the holy and the profane, the clean and the unclean. For to worship in the presence of a holy God, they must be clean. (Note then the awesomeness of Christ’s work on the cross as we are now able to worship in the presence of the same God!).

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US:

• We must see things from God’s perspective. Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:1-2
• We are to live rightly, seeking to live holy. Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. – Philippians 4:8

 

Strange Fire

First Read Leviticus 10:1-20

This is the third story in a section (Ch.8, 9, & 10 respectively) which contrasts obedience to God and it’s blessings, with disobedience and its consequences, all framed in the story of those who are to be Israel’s spiritual leaders. Whereas we just saw Aaron ordained as high priest, here we find two of his sons disobedient and killed as a result of it. I actually want to spend the time today really keying in on the first 3 verses, because it has a lot to say to us in our lives, and then tomorrow we’ll finish up the rest of the chapter.

10:1 Now Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron… – these are the 2 oldest of Aaron’s 4 sons (Ex 6:23).

10:1 …took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. Notice this section begins differently then the previous two. We find the word “took” rather than “commanded.” We see arrogance, rather than obedience. The tone has shifted in the narrative. Something is not right and feels off. These two had been with their father and Moses on Mt. Sinai (Ex 24:1) and they had just been ordained, and they had just seen the glory of the LORD and His fire come down from heaven. They have just been on a spiritual high.

But it says they offered “strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them.” What was the strange fire, we are not told? Why was it strange, we are not told; other than that it was simply something God had not commanded them. Which has to make us stop and think. How is our worship to God? Nadab and Abihu’s sin was worshipping God how they thought He should be worshipped. Or in other words, it was how they wanted to worship Him. But, it wasn’t “a soothing aroma.”.

10:2 And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. The LORD’s fire had just consumed an offering, now it consumes disobedient leaders for their sin. Whereas it the fire was just an act of confirmed acceptance, here it is divine judgment. They are held to a higher standard to live obediently, by the very nature of their calling and office. Therefore, consequences of sin in their lives are dealt with to a greater degree.

10:3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “It is what the LORD spoke, saying, ‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, and before all the people I will be honored.'” Those who are “closer to God,” as leaders should pay more attention to honoring His holiness. Also note this statement is reflected in how Moses handles the situation. Aaron is Moses’ older brother (Ex 4:14; 7:17). Therefore, Moses just watched his nephews die, and they had been through some key experiences together. What do you say in that situation? We’d probably start with, freaking out and running to comfort the father. Yet, Moses aligns himself with God. And with a somewhat comforting tone (I’d imagine), firmly states the reason for what just happened. For as we’ll see, for the key leaders (Moses & Aaron) to mourn what God did when others overstepped their boundaries, would be to almost align themselves against God in the eyes of the people. Leaders are to called to align themselves with God’s viewpoint. As Calvin says:

If we reflect how holy a thing God’s worship is, the enormity of the punishment will by no means offend us. – Calvin. (He also goes on to note what it would have said if God allowed His priests to right away transgress – They would neglect the whole Law after a short time.)

10:3 So Aaron, therefore, kept silent. Aaron just was ordained. Just saw the glory of God. Just saw fire consume His offering. And now he just saw his two oldest sons die in disobedience. This is literally the best and worst day of His life, all in the same day.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US: 

• We must not overstep our boundaries. We listen when God tells us to do something, but we refrain from stepping where He has not told us to. It’s not about how we want to worship God. But, about what He finds acceptable and beautiful in His sight. Those who are called to lead people in worship must especially take note of that. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. – 1 John 1:5-6; Therefore, I exhort the elders among you… shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. – 1 Peter 5:1-3

 

First Time

First Read Leviticus 9:1-24. 

In chapter 8 we read about Moses offering sacrifices for Aaron and his sons in an ordination ceremony. Then they were led to the tent of meeting where they had to stay for 7 days. This picks up on the 8th day. Notice the role of Aaron has changed. In Chapter 8 it was Moses who performed the offerings. Here, Aaron assumes his role as high priest and he will offer sacrifices for himself and on behalf of all the people.

9:2 And he said to Aaron, “Take for yourself a calf, a bull, for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering… Note the first word Aaron is told to sacrifice is a calf, which may call to mind Aaron’s sin in Exodus when he led people to worship a golden calf and they incurred God and Moses’ wrath.

9:3 Then to the sons of Israel you shall speak… It is now Aaron who is to give the directive to the people of Israel.

9:5 So they took what Moses had commanded to the front of the tent of meeting, and the whole congregation came near and stood before the LORD. The congregation is ready, now it is the priests turn to lead them in worship (rather than Moses).

9:6 Moses said, “This is the thing which the LROD has commanded you to do, that the glory of the LORD may appear to you.” This is the ultimate goal of everything said up to this point. That the glory of the LORD would be with them. But for it to happen they must fulfill the command for they cannot have HIs presence without obedience.

9:8. So Aaron came near to the altar and slaughtered the calf of the sin offering which was for himself. Moses had already offered for Aaron before. Now Aaron must offer it for himself. Responsibility matters, both to God and to people.

9:23-24 Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting. When they came out and blessed the people, the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. Then fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. Moses and Aaron went in together (usually there was where Moses heard from God (Lev 1). Then they come out and bless the people together. There is uniformity and a passing of the torch so to speak in regards to leading the nation in worship. When it says fire came out from before the LORD, there was already fire burning on the altar from the previous sacrifices, but now God brings His divine fire to show that all which has been done is acceptable (a soothing aroma if you will). Everything is well and right. And when the people saw it they shouted and fell on their faces, for there is only one response we can have when we encounter the glory of God.

Notice that in this section Aaron presented every type of offering from Lev 1-7 with the exception of the guilt offering, since the twas for specific sins. Also there is a great variety in the animals he sacrificed.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US: 

• If God is not present, our worship is meaningless. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded. – James 4:8
• Spiritual leaders must lead the way in purifying themselves before they attempt to purify others. Similar to what was stated yesterday, again we see God’s insistence that those who He has called to lead, lead from personal experience. For this reason I left you (Titus) in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is above reproach…  see passage for rest of list – Titus 1:5-6 
• When God accepts our worship it’s beautiful. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. – James 4:10

 

Being Set Apart

First Read Leviticus 8:1-36

Here we find a story of the ordination of the first priests of Israel. Up to this point we’ve been told how the offerings should be offered, but we have no priests to carry them out. This is the story of how the first priests were ordained. But it’s part of a larger story that’s carried out from chapters 8-10. It’s about how those God has called to be leaders ought to reflect and lead people to God in a holy way. Not to lead from sin or allow themselves to step where God has not told them to go. In other words, spiritual leaders should be so aligned with God, that it permeates their leadership and they lead people rightly.

This is also the story of Aaron. He becomes the centerpiece here. In Exodus we found Aaron leading people to worship a golden calf and offering sacrifices when God hadn’t told them how to do it, or why. They were just doing what they had likely learned in Egypt. Although Aarons high priest garments had been made, he wasn’t noted as being at the dedication of the tent of meeting. This chapter confirms that even though Aaron had led people to sin previously, God’s grace was still gracious towards one who was repentant and even a person who committed a grave sin could be placed in the highest spiritual office.

8:2 Take Aaron and his sons with him… Notice the amount of training Aaron and his sons got. Not much. They went up with Aaron and Moses on Mt. Sinai. But as there were no priests or laws before this, they had no one to imitate. They had to simply be obedience to what God told them to do and how.

8:3 and assemble all the congregation at the doorway of the tent of meeting. This concerned all of Israel. This may refer to the leaders of the individual tribes of Israel as they represented the people.

8:4 So Moses did just as the LORD commanded him. This phrase will occur 16 times in this section (8-10).

8:6 Moses had Aaron and his sons come near and washed them with water. The symbols of cleansing. What takes place on the external is representing the cleansing internally. Also notice Moses is acting as high priest in this section since there has not yet been a high priest anointed.

8:9. He also placed the turban on his head…. All of Aaron’s garments were to signify the high calling and respect of his office.

8:10 Moses then took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. They are set apart, holy before God.

8:14 Then he brought the bull of the sin offering…. The priests first had to make atonement for their own sins, before they could bring atonement for the nation.

8:14 and ff. Notice that in being ordained, the priests could also learn from Moses how to carry out the sacrifices and offerings. He was their example.

8:23 Moses slaughtered it and took some of its blood and putt on the lob of Aaron’s right ear, and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. Notice the treatment of blood here is different than we found previously. One interpretation is on the ears to listen to God’s word, on the hand to carry out God’s work and on his feet to walk according to God’s commands.

Active and ongoing sanctification is an essential part of being set apart for ministry; and the first step in sanctification is removing defilement and sin. – Ross.

8:34 The LORD has command you to do as has been done this day, to make atonement on your behalf. The priests had to undergo atonement, in order to lead others there. One cannot lead others into being restored with God, if they haven’t done it themselves.

8:35-36 At the doorway of the tent of meeting, moreover, you shall remain day and night for seven days and keep the charge of the LORD, so that you will not die, for so I have been commanded. Thus Aaron and his sons did all the things which the LORD had commanded through Moses. God through Moses, gives them a command and the specific outcome if they disobeyed. The priests did all just as God commanded.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US: 

• Leaders must lead the way. God’s people should be able to imitate their leaders. Especially in their striving to follow God. Leaders cannot say one thing, but behave different. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you… 2 Thess 3:7
• God cares about the purity and holiness of His leaders. They represent God to the people. To walk in impurity and sin is not only leading people astray, but it’s misrepresenting God. And He cares about His name. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. – 1 Tim 3:2-7
• God’s people should expect their leaders to live with purity and atonement. Of course everyone sins, leaders aren’t perfect, but it does mean that when leaders sin, they take responsibility and seek divine forgiveness, doing what needs to be done to make it right with God. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. – 2 Tim 2:15