Lesson #09

Related Articles

Leviticus

September 21, 2015

Introduction

May 13, 2010

Leviticus Lesson #02

May 13, 2010

RETURN TO THE LIST OF LESSONS

LEVITICUS 8
Lesson #09
CONSECRATION OF PRIESTS

• Memory Verse: Heb 7:28

 

• We have concluded the section of Leviticus about all of the different types of animal sacrifices that pointed to Jesus Christ. The responsibility of these sacrifices belonged to the priests. Therefore the next section of Leviticus tells us about the requirements of the priesthood.
• The priests are commanded to submit to God’s authority. (Lev 8)
• The priests are to reveal God’s glory to the people. (Lev 9)
• The priests are to accept God’s discipline. (Lev 10)
• Background:

• From the time of Adam to the time of Moses, there was no organized priesthood. The husband was the priest of his own home and family.
  • God’s original intention was to make the whole nation of Israel to be God’s priests to the world. (Exo 19:6)
  • However, because the Israelites sinned by the worship of the golden calf when Moses was on the mountain with God, God changed the plan to make the tribe of Levy the priests.
• The first formal priesthood was designed by God and given to Moses in the Mosaic Law of Exodus and Leviticus.
• This organized priesthood ended after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ when the Roman’s destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD, and then scattered the Jews throughout the world.
• Only a few years ago, Israel began to train priests and make plans for a new priesthood based on these instructions in the Mosaic Law.
  • Their purpose eventually is to rebuild the temple and begin animal sacrifice again.
  • This will occur early in the future tribulation period of seven years during the reign of the Antichrist.
• The meaning of the words sanctification and consecration:
  • The word sanctification has a two part meaning:
    • =1= To be chosen and set apart for a specific purpose.
    • =2= To be set apart for special action to make holy.
  • The word consecration or ordination means = to fill the hand; to dedicate for holy service to God.
    • A part of the sacrifice and the meal offering was placed in the hands of Aaron, the high priest.
    • Before God could accept these priests as His servants, they first had to fill their hands with the offering that dealt with sin, and therefore identify themselves with the offering that brought them forgiveness.
      • Before the New Testament believer can serve God, he must first deal with his own sins and seek forgiveness before he is able to deal with the sins of others.
      • An unclean vessel is unable to serve God in the power of the Holy Spirit.
• The definition of a priest:
  • Read Heb 5:1
  • The priest represented man before God.
    • Chosen by God.
    • Ordained by men.
    • He did animal sacrifices on behalf of the people to bring the forgiveness and blessings of God to the people.
  • The priest represented God before man.
    • He was to live a holy life as a model to the congregation.
    • He was to teach the truth of the Word of God.
• The relationship of the priesthood to the Christian believer today:
  • Read 1Pet 2:9
    • This passage tells us that the believer in Jesus Christ is the priest today.
    • The believer is to be the mediator between man and God.
      • He represents man before God, interceding for the unbelievers and living a model of holiness before others.
      • He represents God before man, preaching the word of reconciliation through Jesus Christ.
  • Therefore, we can take the principles that we learn in Leviticus and apply them to the believers’ roll as New Testament priests.

• Read Lev 8:1-12 Congregational Consecration of Priests (an 8 day celebration)
  • Twenty times in these three chapters of Leviticus (8-10), God uses the word “commanded”. God gave Moses every detail of how to ordain the priests and how the priests should serve God.
    • Ordination of priests was to be a public event.
    • Ordination of priests must impress upon the priests that they were to please God and to serve the people.
    • The ordination of priests was to consist of a day of dedication and then a week of public celebration.
      • The number 8 is a Biblical number that has the meaning of = a new beginning.
      • After the eight days, the priests were ready to begin their ministry of serving God.
  • The items needed for the service of consecration:
    • Special garments.
      • Special garments for the High Priest represent the glory and beauty of Jesus Christ, our High Priest.
        • The breastplate with the Urim (means light) and Thumim (means perfections) provided guidance in the will of God.
        • Today the believer in Jesus Christ is guided by the Holy Spirit.
      • Clean white linen garments for the priests represent the righteousness of Christ that covers believers in Jesus Christ in this New Testament epoch of the church.
    • Anointing oil.
      • Pure olive oil represents the anointing by the Holy Spirit.
      • A believer/priest without the anointing of the Holy Spirit works by his own strength and direction, and not by the power of the Holy Spirit.
    • A bull for a sin offering.
    • Two rams.
      • One for a burnt offering.
      • One for consecration that we will discuss later.
    • A basket of unleavened bread.
      • Leaven is yeast that makes bread rise. Leaven represents sin or evil.
      • In order to be in service to Christ and to minister to others, the believer must first make sure he has confessed his own sins to the Lord and receive the Lord’s forgiveness.
      • In other words, he must be without sin.
  • The anointing of the tabernacle: (10)
    • During the process of animal sacrifices, the priests sprinkled animal blood all over the inside of the tabernacle. (Heb 9:21)
      • When sin has been dealt with by the blood of Jesus Christ, the way is made clear for God to do His work.
      • The work of God depends on the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
    • Therefore, we find that they also sprinkled oil all over the tabernacle for sanctification. (11)
  • Washing the priests with water and anointing with oil
    • Animal sacrifice occurred at the bronze altar just inside the gate of the tabernacle courtyard.
    • Physical washing of the priests occurred at the bronze laver which was located in the tabernacle courtyard after the bronze altar.
      • Why did the priests need washing with water when the sacrifices of sin already dealt with the sin problem?
        • Read Joh 13:10
        • Jesus tells us that the disciples were already clean through the blood of Christ, but that just walking through life in this world, we need to clean our feet from time to time.
      • Read Eph 5:26
        • Washing through the water of the Word of God cleanses us as the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin.
        • The laver in the temple or tabernacle represents the cleansing by the Word of God. This is where the priests were washed for the ordination ceremony.
    • Aaron, the High Priest was anointed with oil by pouring enough oil on his head to cover him and flow to his feet. (Psa 133:2)
      • The Holy Spirit anointed Jesus Christ, our High Priest, at his baptism in water.
      • Instead of oil, the Spirit came down in the form of a dove. (Joh 3:34)
      • Notice that Aaron had the oil poured on him before the priests had blood put on them. (Heb 1:9)
        • Aaron represented Jesus Christ as a prefigure of our Holy High Priest.
        • Jesus was without sin, even though he became sin for us on the cross.
          • The sins He took on himself were our sins.
          • However, our sins did not stain His holiness.
        • Therefore, Jesus did not need blood applied to him.

• Read Lev 8:22-24
  • The ram of consecration had a special significance for the priests.
  • The priests laid their hands on the head of the ram of consecration. (22)
    • This action represents identification and a promise of commitment to serve God faithfully.
    • This is an action of unity that brings the priests together in a common bond of service.
  • The sprinkling of the blood of the ram of consecration:
    • Blood on Aaron’s right ear = That which the priest hears must be covered by the cleansing blood of Christ.
    • Blood on Aaron’s right thumb = That which the priest does with his hands must be covered by the cleansing blood of Christ.
    • Blood on Aaron’s right big toe = Those places where the priest goes must be covered by the blood of Christ.
    • Notice that all these places of sprinkling of the blood are on the right side of the body. The right side is the place of power and authority.

• Read Lev 8:26-32 The basket of unleavened bread
  • The contents of the basket of unleavened bread:
    • One unleavened cake = represents a life where sin has been dealt with and forgiven.
    • A cake of oiled bread. = represents a holy life anointed by the Holy Spirit.
    • One wafer = represents a believer’s periodic communion with Christ through the ordinance of Holy Communion.
    • These items were held by the priests and waved before God as an indication of total commitment to serve God.
  • These items were placed on the fat of the animal and on the right shoulder.
    • The fat of the animal was the best of the animal given to God. The believer that is serving God must give his very best to God.
    • The right shoulder represents the place of governmental authority. The believer in leadership must bear the responsibility of God’s authority placed on him. He is accountable to God.
  • These items were burned on the bronze altar with the burnt offering.
    • The burnt offering represented the beauty of who Christ is before God.
    • It is through the person and work of Jesus Christ that gives the believer the sanctification and the authority to represent man to God and God to man. (Joh 17:19)
  • Notice that blood and oil was sprinkled on all the priests and all their garments.
    • This is a total consecration and dedication to serving God.
    • Effective service to God depends on maintaining forgiveness of sin through the blood of Christ and through the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
  • The priests were to eat the bread and what was left of the offering.
    • Believers are to feast on the finished work of Christ.
    • Believers in Jesus Christ are to enjoy fellowship one with another in service to God.
    • Any items that were not eaten on that day had to be burned because fellowship with God is a continual need and must be renewed every day.

HOMEWORK
LEVITIUS 9
This is a self-study. Please do not send homework answers to the teacher forcorrection.

• Application of Lev 8
  • To what degree do you maintain your holy walk with God in order to serve him more fully?
    • 0 1 2 34 5 6 7 8 9 10

Little Medium High

• Preparation for Lev 9
  • Read Lev 9:1-24
    • What did God promise them if they did these sacrifices?

 

• Memory Verse: Heb 10:12