The Book Of LEVITICUS
Leviticus 27:34 "These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for
the children of Israel in mount Sinai."
CHAPTER 7:
Verses 1-10: The law of the trespass offering. (Leviticus 5:15-19) This is also referred to as the “guilt offering”. As with some of the sin offerings, a portion of this sacrifice is given to the priest to eat. (v.6, 8-10) The animal skins also are for the priests to sell and/or trade as part of their daily livelihood. (v.8) Verses 1 and 6 both make it clear that this offering “…is most holy…” (Leviticus 2:3, 10, Numbers 18:9, Ezekiel 44:29), and verse 7 reminds the Israelites that the same law applies to both the sin and trespass offerings. There’s also another reminder in verse 6 that only the males of the Levites may serve in the role of priest. Verses 11-21: “…the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings…”. (v.11) (Leviticus 3:1, 22:18, 21, Ezekiel 45:15) These verses expound on the peace offering that was initially described in chapter 3. Verse 12 uses the word “thanksgiving”, or “tôdâh” in the original Hebrew, which emphasizes that this offering is one of praise and thanksgiving to God for what He’s done in the life of the one bringing the offering. Remember that the peace offering is voluntary, and is often shared with family and friends. The priests, too, are allowed a portion which represents God’s acceptance of the offering. Along with the meat of the lamb or goat (Leviticus 3:7, 12), unleavened cakes and wafers, anointed with oil and made with fine flour, are also offered up. (v.12) (Leviticus 2:4, Numbers 6:15) But then verse 13 says that leavened bread is also to be offered, and this is significant for obvious reasons. Yeast is permitted in this offering precisely because it is a sacrifice of joy and thanksgiving, according to the Holman Bible Commentary. One of the loaves is to be set aside “…for an heave offering unto the Lord…” (v.14) which is then given to the priest. (Numbers 18:8, 11, 19) The roasted meat of the thanksgiving offering is to be eaten the same day that it’s offered and none of it is to be left until morning. (v.15) (Leviticus 22:29-30) The Holman Bible Commentary explains it this way: “Eating the offering on the day he offers it showed its special holiness; any delay removed the offering from the act of sacrifice and increased the possibility of its defilement. The participants in the communal meal witnessed the immediate acceptance of the offering by the Lord through eating the freshly roasted meat.” But in the case of a votive or freewill offering the flesh may be eaten on the same day or the day after. (v.16) On the third morning, however, any remains must be burned. (v.17) None of the sacrifice will be accepted on the third day, and anyone that eats of it “…shall bear his iniquity.” (v.18) It is a sin against the Lord. Verses 19-21 stress the importance of ritual purification and proper reverence of God’s holiness in the performance of these offerings and sacrifices. Both the priest that performs the ritual and the one bringing the offering are to strictly adhere to all of God’s instructions for the sacrifice. Deviating in any way from these commandments will bring immediate judgment from the Lord for the one who disobeys. This is what is meant by the phrase in verses 20 and 21 “…that soul shall be cut off from his people.” (Genesis 17:14, Exodus 31:14) “To be ‘cut off from one’s people’ was to be excluded from the worship rituals and perhaps even judged by death. Those who celebrate peace with God must do so openly and without hypocrisy.” (Moody Bible Commentary) Verses 22-27: As noted previously, the fat of the animal, along with the kidneys and the caul of the liver, represents the best that the worshiper has to offer to the Lord. Both the fat and the blood belong to God, and thus He commands the Israelites to abstain from consuming either. (v.23, 26) (Leviticus 3:17, 17:10, Deuteronomy 14:21, Ezekiel 4:14, 44:31) Even the fat of beasts that die of old age or are killed by another animal may not be eaten, though it may be used for other purposes. (v.24) Anyone that disobeys this commandment “…shall be cut off from his people.” (v.25) The commandment to abstain from consuming the blood of an animal goes all the way back to Genesis and the dispensation that God initiated with Noah after the flood. (Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 19:26, Deuteronomy 12:23, 1 Samuel 14:33, Ezekiel 33:25, Acts 15:20, 29) The blood of both man and beast represents life, and all life belongs to God alone. In the case of the sacrifices described here in Leviticus, the blood of the animal is a substitution for the life of the worshiper, especially in the sin and trespass offerings. To do anything with the blood other than what is prescribed by God is to plunder and desecrate that which is most holy. This is why Jesus Christ’s death on the cross was the once-for-all perfect sacrifice for all the sins of mankind. (John 6:53) Both His life and His blood were perfect and most holy. Anyone that violates this law “…shall be cut off from his people.” (v.27) Verses 28-38: These eleven verses are basically a summary review of chapter 3 as well as a closing of this entire section of the law regarding the categories and types of offerings (Leviticus 1-7). Here the Lord repeats His commands regarding the parts of the peace offering that belong to Him and to the priests, and how each one is to be presented, manipulated and consumed. (v.29-34) There is an emphasis once more on the fact that all these offerings are to be brought unto the priest and unto God by one’s own hands. (v.30) These sacrifices, whether voluntary or required, are to be made of one’s own free will. It is up to the Israelites whether they obey or disobey God’s commands, and the consequences of each are made clear. To obey is to have a right and proper fellowship with God and enjoy the bounty of His blessings. To disobey is to lose God’s favor and His providence and suffer His righteous judgment. The same holds true for us today. We obey God’s commands and follow His will for our lives because He first loved us and laid down His life for us. (Romans 5:8) We are not required to offer a daily sacrifice as described here in the Mosaic law, but we are commanded to come to the throne of grace and daily confess our sins as well as surrender the best of all that we are for God’s use. For the Israelites, the best they had to offer was the perfect lamb, goat, bullock or fowl. For us today it is the firstfruits of our time, our talents, and our tithes and offerings of the physical blessings God has bestowed on us. He commands us to give our all to Him for His glory and His use. To do any less is to disobey and dishonor Him and make trivial that most holy sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross at Calvary. CHAPTER 8: The instructions that God had given to Moses in Exodus 28-29 are now, finally, put into action. The tabernacle has been completed, the law has been written down, and the directions for all the different kinds of offerings and sacrifices that are to be performed at the tabernacle have been handed down to Moses to pass on to the people and the priests. All that remains is to dress and consecrate Aaron and his sons so that they might finally begin their service as priests in the tabernacle. Chapters 8-10, as well as verses 10-23 of chapter 24, are the only historical sections in the book of Leviticus, meaning that the narrative shifts from God speaking to Moses to Moses now putting into action all those commandments that God has been giving him throughout much of Exodus and the first 7 chapters here in Leviticus. Verses 2-5: God repeats his command from Exodus 29:1-4. Moses is to gather Aaron and his sons and all the people at the door of the tabernacle. All the priestly garments (Exodus 28:2, 4) as well as the anointing oil (Exodus 30:25), a bullock (Exodus 29:10), two rams (Exodus 29:15, 19), and a basket of unleavened bread (Exodus 29:2) are to be brought forth. The consecration and ordination of the priests is a public ceremony, conducted in the presence of the congregation and God. The same holds true today for pastors and deacons of the church. Verses 6-13: The ceremony begins with the washing of Aaron and his sons. (v.6) (Exodus 30:20, Hebrews 10:22) Though done literally in this scene, it’s also symbolic, representing the soil of sin in one’s life. When we come before a holy God we must be cleansed and purified of sin. For the Aaronic priesthood, the washing with water was commanded by God along with the sacrifice of the three animals as part of this daily purification ritual. For us today, we are clothed in the imputed righteousness of Christ, washed in His blood and cleansed once for all in the eyes of God our heavenly Father. The priestly garments are a visible reminder of the glory and honor of the invisible Lord. (Exodus 28:2, 39:1) Putting them on reminds Aaron and his sons of the solemn and sacred duty that they must perform daily for the children of Israel. This is the order in which the garments are put on Aaron (v.7-9):
After Aaron and his sons are properly attired, the next task is the anointing of them as well as the tabernacle and all its furnishings. (v.10-12) (Exodus 30:26, 40:10-11) In the words of the Moody commentators, “In the ancient Near East, a visitor would be anointed as a sign of welcome into one’s house (compare Exodus 30:30-33 and Psalm 23:5). Symbolically, Aaron’s anointing (and the priestly anointing in general) signified God’s acceptance of Aaron and his welcome into “His house” and the priestly ministry.” As noted in my commentary of Exodus, the use of oil in the OT is often used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. This passage can be interpreted as God pouring out His spirit upon Aaron and his sons, giving His blessing and approval for them to serve as priests in His house. Verses 14-21: The anointing oil in and of itself is not enough to consecrate Aaron and his sons. As prescribed in the previous seven chapters, it’s now time to offer up the necessary sacrifices in order to complete the ordination. First up is the sin offering. Aaron and his sons lay their hands on the head of the bullock before Aaron kills it. (v.14-15) Moses uses the blood to properly purify the altar before removing all the fat, the kidneys and the caul of the liver. These he burns on the altar. (v.15-16) The rest of the animal is removed to the designated place outside the camp to be burned. (v.17) Next, Aaron and his sons lay their hands on the head of the first ram before Aaron slays it. (v.18) Moses purifies the altar again (v.19) before cutting up the animal (v.19-20). He then burns the ram on the altar, and it’s accepted “…for a sweet savour…unto the Lord…”. (v.20-21) There are two important details to note about these eight verses. The first is that it’s Moses, not Aaron or any of his sons, that is preforming the sacrifices. God had already explained to Moses in Exodus 28-29 everything that he was supposed to do to prepare the priests to serve in the tabernacle. Therefore, until they were fully consecrated, and only after God’s explicit instructions have been followed and obeyed, can the priests then perform sacrifices. Since the ordination ceremony will not be complete until after seven days have passed (Exodus 29:35), Moses is the only one allowed by God to serve as high priest and mediator. The second thing to note here is the last phrase of verse 21: “…as the Lord commanded Moses.” A variation of this phrase is found ten times in this chapter (v.4-5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 29, 34-36) and three times in chapter 9 (v.6-7, 10). Moses is making sure to follow every one of God’s specific instructions, demonstrating for Aaron and his sons exactly how it should be done. In just a couple chapters we’ll see what happens when God’s instructions regarding the tabernacle and the service of the priests are not obeyed. Verses 22-30: Up next is the second ram, this one of consecration. (v.22) As with the previous two sacrifices, Aaron and his sons lay hands on the animal before Aaron kills it. (v.22-23) Moses then dips his finger in the blood and places some on the Aaron’s right earlobe, the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. (v.23) Moses does this for each of Aaron’s sons as well. (v.24) (Exodus 29:20-21, Leviticus 14:14) What this symbolizes is that the priests are hearing God’s commands, doing His service, and walking accordingly in His will. After this, Moses sprinkles the blood upon and around the altar. (Hebrews 9:13-14, 18) Moses gives Aaron and his sons the ram’s fat, the caul of the liver, the kidneys and the right shoulder. (v.25) On top of all this he lays “…one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer…”. (v.26) Aaron and his sons then perform a “…wave offering before the Lord.” (v.27) Moses then burns all of this on the altar “…for a sweet savour…” to God (v.28) (Exodus 29:25) before taking the ram’s breast and performing a second wave offering to the Lord. (v.29) (Exodus 29:26-27) God had commanded that this would be Moses’ portion. The final part of this ritual is for Moses to take the anointing oil and the rest of the ram’s blood and sprinkle it upon Aaron and his sons, specifically on their robes. (v.30) Only by this are they then properly sanctified. Verses 31-36: Moses gives final instructions to Aaron and his sons. As God had commanded, they are to remain in the courtyard of the tabernacle for seven days, performing all three sacrifices each day. The text doesn’t give a reason for the seven days, but it’s probably to impress upon Aaron and his sons the importance of what they will be doing daily for the children of Israel. Also, it’s probably a precaution against uncleanness, accidental or otherwise, should they go among the people or outside the camp. The flesh of the third ram, along with the various types of bread, will be their sustenance for this week. (Exodus 29:31-32) Fresh bread will be brought to them every morning, for Moses reminds them that any food left at the end of each day is to be burned in the fire. (v.32) (Exodus 29:34) All this shall be done that they might “…keep the charge of the Lord…” and thus live. (v.35) (Numbers 1:53, 3:7, 9:19, Deuteronomy 11:1, 1Kings 2:3, Ezekiel 48:11) This chapter concludes with the statement that “…Aaron and his sons did all things which the Lord commanded…”. (v.36) Obedience brings blessing and life. Disobedience brings chastening and judgment, a bitter lesson that Aaron and his sons will learn very soon.
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