Leviticus 9 Bible Study And Devotional: Obedience, Priesthood, Holiness, Atonement And Cleansing
Leviticus 9 describes the inauguration of the Tabernacle services, where Aaron and his sons begin their priestly duties. This chapter is significant because it marks the first time that Aaron acts as high priest and offers sacrifices on behalf of the people. The chapter emphasizes the importance of following God's commands exactly, the role of the priesthood, and God's response to proper worship.
Detailed Breakdown
1. Verses 1-2: Preparation for the Ceremony
- "On the eighth day, Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel."
- Moses instructs Aaron to take a young calf for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and present them before the Lord.
- The eighth day here is significant as it concludes the seven days of consecration for the priests described in Leviticus 8.
2. Verses 3-4: Offerings for the People
- Moses also instructs the Israelites to bring a male goat for a sin offering, a calf and a lamb (both a year old and without blemish) for a burnt offering, an ox and a ram for peace offerings, and a grain offering mixed with oil.
- These offerings are meant to make atonement for the people and to signify their dedication to God.
3. Verses 5-7: Presentation and Offering of Sacrifices
- The people bring what Moses commanded to the front of the Tent of Meeting, and the whole congregation draws near and stands before the Lord.
- Moses tells Aaron to approach the altar, offer his sin offering and burnt offering, and make atonement for himself and the people.
- Aaron is to offer the people's offering and make atonement for them as the Lord commanded.
4. Verses 8-14: Aaron’s Offerings
- Aaron offers the calf of the sin offering for himself, his sons present the blood to him, and he dips his finger in the blood and puts it on the horns of the altar, pouring out the rest at the base of the altar.
- He burns the fat, kidneys, and lobe of the liver of the sin offering on the altar, as commanded by the Lord to Moses, but burns the flesh and skin outside the camp.
- Aaron then slaughters the burnt offering, and his sons hand him the blood, which he sprinkles around the altar. They hand him the pieces of the burnt offering, along with the head, and he burns them on the altar.
5. Verses 15-21: Offerings for the People
- Aaron offers the people’s offering, starting with the goat for the sin offering, which he slaughters and offers as a sin offering like the first one.
- He then offers the burnt offering according to the prescribed manner.
- He offers the grain offering, taking a handful and burning it on the altar in addition to the burnt offering.
- Finally, Aaron slaughters the ox and the ram as the peace offerings for the people, and his sons present the blood to him, which he sprinkles around the altar. They present the fat of the ox and the ram, along with the fat tail, the covering of the entrails, the kidneys, and the lobe of the liver.
- Aaron places the fat on the breasts and burns the fat on the altar. He waves the breasts and the right thigh as a wave offering before the Lord, as Moses commanded.
6. Verses 22-24: The Lord’s Response
- Aaron lifts his hands toward the people and blesses them, and after making the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, he steps down.
- Moses and Aaron then enter the Tent of Meeting, and when they come out, they bless the people, and the glory of the Lord appears to all the people.
- Fire comes out from the presence of the Lord and consumes the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. When the people see this, they shout for joy and fall facedown.
Key Themes and Lessons
1. Obedience to God’s Commands:
The meticulous instructions for the offerings underscore the importance of adhering strictly to God’s commands. Deviating from these commands could result in dire consequences, as later seen with Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10.
2. Role of the Priesthood:
Aaron and his sons are central figures in mediating between God and the Israelites. Their role is vital in performing the sacrifices and making atonement for the people.
3. God’s Holiness and Presence:
The appearance of God's glory and the fire consuming the offerings signify God's approval and presence among His people. It reassures the Israelites that God accepts their worship when it is performed according to His instructions.
4. Atonement and Cleansing:
The sacrifices are a means for atonement, emphasizing the need for cleansing from sin to maintain a right relationship with God. Each type of offering (sin, burnt, grain, and peace) has its specific purpose in the worship and sanctification process.
Conclusion
Leviticus 9 highlights the inaugural priestly service and God's approval through the manifestation of His glory. It sets a precedent for the importance of obedience, the sanctity of the priestly office, and the need for atonement through prescribed sacrifices. This chapter reinforces the sacredness of the rituals and the seriousness with which they must be approached.