There are a few important details to note in the ordination of Aaron and his sons.
·
First, it is the LORD who chose Aaron to be High
Priest. Even so, our Lord was chosen by
God to be our High Priest (Psalm 110:4).
·
Second, in Ch. 8 it is Moses who is performing
the sacrifices that bring about the cleansing and consecration of Aaron and his
sons. As the Mediator, the one who is
standing between God and Israel, Moses does this work. Then in Ch. 9, having been established as priests,
it is Aaron and his sons who do the work.
Even so Christ was subject to His Father, learning obedience and being
perfected (Heb. 5:8-10) before He was qualified to make His great sacrifice for
sin. It was the Father’s plan (Ac.
2:23).
·
Third, the ordination of the priests takes place
in the full view of the congregation of Israel, the ones they will represent
(8:3). Our Lord was also consecrated in public
display on the cross.
The “order of
service” for the ordination of Aaron and his sons speaks of Christ as well as
of the believer-priests under the New Covenant.
·
8:6-9: Aaron is washed and then clothed as the
High Priest. The linen speaks of
righteousness, as is true of Christ and His Church. Of special note, Aaron wears the breastplate
with the Urim and Thummin for determining God’s will. He wears the gold plate on the turban
proclaiming “Holiness to the LORD.” And
he wears the ephod with the twelve stones with the names of the tribes, bearing
them before the LORD. A study of Rev.
1:12-16 reveals that Christ is the High Priest who applies the word over the
Churches of Rev. 2-3. Likewise the
Church is clothed in His righteousness (Rom. 13:14).
·
8:10-12: Aaron is anointed for ministry, as are
the items necessary for his ministry. So,
Christ was anointed by the Spirit (Luke 4:18-19). Believers also have received the anointing of
Christ (1 John 2:20-27).
·
With the sin offering (8:14-17), the burnt
offering (8:18-21) and the ordination offering (8:22-29) Aaron and all his sons
laid their hands on the animal. The
blood of the ordination offering was applied to the right ear, thumb and big
toe, signifying the whole life was touched by the blood before they began to
serve. The garments were also consecrated
with blood and oil (8:30) before the eating of the meal
(8:31-36). They were to remain at the
tabernacle for seven days before the consecration was complete. Many of God’s servants, including Christ, had
times of separation to God at the outset of their ministry (e.g. Christ for 40
days, Moses for 40 years, Paul for three years).
Having concluded the
consecration Aaron and his sons were now qualified to begin the special
ministry to which God had called them.
What was done here was to be the daily order of events from this point
on. Christ offered a once-for-all
sacrifice that brought to an end this continual need (Heb. 7:26-27). Here is an outline.
·
9:1-7: Moses gives Aaron the instructions.
·
9:8-14: Aaron first offered sacrifice (sin and
burnt offerings) for himself. Christ was
perfected forever and had no need for this offering (Heb. 7:28).
·
9:15-21: Aaron then offered sin, burnt, grain
and fellowship offerings for the people.
What a special time as Aaron blessed the people, entered the tabernacle,
and then the LORD descended in great glory (9:22-24). With respect to Christ, remember that our
High Priest …
o
Is our sacrifice (Isa. 53:5-6; 2Cor. 5:21; 1 Pt.
2:24f; Heb. 9:26; 10:10).
o
Blessed the people with uplifted hands before
entering the heavenly tabernacle (Lk. 24:50f).
o
Entered the Most Holy Place (Hb. 9:12).
o
Will reappear with great glory (Mt. 24:30).
o
Will reappear with fire to judge (2 Th.
1:7b-10).
o Will
reappear bringing great joy and worship (Rev. 1:5b-6; 19:1-6).
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