Day #46

Sermon - Audio
Lev 8-10 - Audio
Lev 8-10 - Daily Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment


Chapter 8 and 9: These chapters repeat the instructions given to the Levites for ordination in Exodus 29. The number seven is a significant number used in the ordination of the priests symbolizing completion. "As the Lord commands" is repeated seven times. In verse 11 the oil is sprinkled on the altar seven times. And Aaron and his sons waited at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting seven days and seven nights. By the end, the installation of the priests is fully complete.

Chapter 8:

v.1-9 - Oil symbolized the gifts of God to the people and the responsibilities laid on their leaders through this ceremony. It is also used to consecrate holy things and holy people.

v. 14 - "laid their hands on the head of the bull" - which symbolizes the transferring of guilt from Aaron and his sons to the animal. They, too, needed forgiveness before they could minister to others.

v. 18-21 - Why rams instead of goats? A ram was a more costly animal than a goat signifying the priests' greater responsibility.

v. 22-36 - Moses performs his last sacrifice. Smearing the blood on the right extremities of the priests was associated with strength and performance. The extremities represent the whole body from head to toe thus showing total dedication and purification.

Chapter 9:

v.1ff - This chapter functions as a sequel to the Sinai event. Just as God came down to the mountain to deliver His covenant with His people, He now comes down to the altar to dwell intimately with them.

v. 8-21 - Why all these sacrifices? The offerings were for atonement, to praise and thank God, and communion. The OT regulations pointed to their own inadequacies and the need for a greater high priest. Jesus, the final high priest, knew no sin and therefore was the perfect and complete sacrifice.

Chapter 10:

v. 1 - Look how quickly "we" have taken matters back into our own hands. Aaron's sons violate the ceremony by offering unauthorized fire.

v. 1-3 - The offense lies in doing things their own way instead of how God instructed them, resulting in death. The point of the story is that God will not allow His holiness to be violated. And how often do we violate His holiness each day and not get struck down?

v. 8-11 - This is the only time throughout Leviticus that God speaks directly to Aaron. He gives three major roles for the priests. 1 - keep things holy. 2 - keep things clean. 3 - teach people God's law.

v. 16-20 - Boy, do "we" have a very short memory. Again, Aaron's sons have not followed God's commands regarding the offerings. Aaron pleads on their behalf and they are spared.