Leviticus 8:6-36

THE CONSECRATION 8:6-36
TEXT 8:6-36

6

And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.

7

And he put upon them the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the skilfully woven band of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith.

8

And he placed the breastplate upon him: and in the breastplate he put the Urim and the Thummim.

9

And he set the mitre upon his head; and upon the mitre, in front, did he set the golden plate, the holy crown; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

10

And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.

11

And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its vessels, and the laver and its base, to sanctify them.

12

And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.

13

And Moses brought Aaron's sons, and clothed them with coats, and girded them with girdles, and bound head-tires upon them; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

14

And be brought the bullock of the sin-offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock of the sin-offering.

15

And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar, and sanctified it, to make atonement for it.

16

And he took all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul of the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat; and Moses burned it upon the altar.

17

But the bullock, and its skin, and its flesh, and its dung, he burnt with fire without the camp; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

18

And he presented the ram of the burnt-offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.

19

And he killed it; and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.

20

And he cut the ram into its pieces; and Moses burnt the head, and the pieces, and the fat.

21

And he washed the inwards and the legs with water; and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar: it was a burnt- offering for a sweet savor; it was an offering made by fire unto Jehovah; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

22

And he presented the other ram, the ram of consecration: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram.

23

And he slew it; and Moses took of the blood thereof, and put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.

24

And he brought Aaron's sons; and Moses put of the blood upon the tip of their right ear, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot: and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.

25

And he took the fat, and the fat tail, and all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul of the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and the right thigh:

26

and out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before Jehovah, he took one unleavened cake, and one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and placed them on the fat, and upon the right thigh:

27

and he put the whole upon the hands of Aaron, and upon the hands of his sons, and waved them for a wave-offering before Jehovah.

28

And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt-offering: they were a consecration for a sweet savor: it was an offering made by fire unto Jehovah.

29

And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave-offering before Jehovah: it was Moses-' portion of the ram of consecration; as Jehovah commanded Moses.

30

And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons-' garments with him, and sanctified Aaron, his garments, and his sons, and his sons-' garments with him.

31

And Moses said unto Aaron and to his sons, Boil the flesh at the door of the tent of meeting: and there eat it and the bread that is in the basket of consecration, as I commanded, saying, Aaron and his sons shall eat it.

32

And that which remaineth of the flesh and of the bread shall ye burn with fire.

33

And ye shall not go out from the door of the tent of meeting seven days, until the days of your consecration be fulfilled: for he shall consecrate you seven days.

34

As hath been done this day, so Jehovah hath commanded to do, to make atonement for you.

35

And at the door of the tent of meeting shall ye abide day and night seven days, and keep the charge of Jehovah, that ye die not: for so I am commanded.

36

And Aaron and his sons did all the things which Jehovah commanded by Moses.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 8:6-36

153.

When Moses washed Aaron and his sons how much water did he use? i.e., how was it done?

154.

Describe in a sentence each of the following: (1) the coat; (2) girdle; (3) robe; (4) ephod; (5) band of the ephod; (6) breastplate; (7) Urim and Thummin; (8) turban; (9) golden plate or holy crown.

155.

Why anoint inanimate objects such as the items of the tabernacle?

156.

What is meant by the foot of the laver? What was its purpose?.

157.

Upon what part of Aaron did Moses pour the anointing oil?

158.

List the items of clothes worn by Aaron's sons.

159.

Are we to understand from Leviticus 8:15 that Moses had to make atonement for the altar? Explain.

160.

How is it that none of the meat from the sin offering was eaten by the priests?

161.

For whom was the sin offering made? For whom was the burnt offering given? Aren-'t they in reverse order? Discuss.

162.

Why did Moses place the blood upon the ear, the hand and the foot of Aaron and his sons?

163.

What happened to the right thigh of the animal? To the unleavened bread? To the breast of the ram?

164.

How were the garments of Aaron and his sons consecrated? 165. What was eaten during the seven days of the ordination? How prepared?

166.

Aaron and his sons were restricted as to movement. Why?

PARAPHRASE 8:6-36

Then he took Aaron and his sons and washed them with water, and he clothed Aaron with the special coat, sash, robe, and the ephod-jacket with its beautifully woven belt. Then he put on him the chestpiece and deposited the Urim and the Thummim inside its pouch; and placed on Aaron's head the turban with the sacred golden plate at its frontthe holy crownas the Lord had commanded Moses. Then Moses took the anointing oil and sprinkled it upon the Tabernacle itself and on each item in it, sanctifying them. When he came to the altar he sprinkled it seven times, and also sprinkled the utensils of the altar and the washbasin and its pedestal, to sanctify them. Then he poured the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, thus setting him apart for his work. Next Moses placed the robes on Aaron's sons, with the belts and caps, as the Lord had commanded him. Then he took the young bull for the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon its head as Moses killed it. He smeared some of the blood with his finger upon the four horns of the altar, and upon the altar itself, to sanctify it, and poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar; thus he sanctified the altar, making atonement for it. He took all the fat covering the entrails, the fatty mass above the liver, and the two kidneys and their fat, and burned them all on the altar. The carcass of the young bull, with its hide and dung, was burned outside the camp, as the Lord had commanded Moses. Then he presented to the Lord the ram for the burnt offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon its head, and Moses killed it and sprinkled the blood back and forth upon the altar. Next he quartered the ram and burned the pieces, the head and the fat. He then washed the insides and the legs with water, and burned them upon the altar, so that the entire ram was consumed before the Lord; it was a burnt offering that pleased the Lord very much, for Jehovah's directions to Moses were followed in every detail. Then Moses presented the other ram, the ram of consecration; Aaron and his sons laid their hand upon its head. Moses killed it and took some of its blood and smeared it upon the lobes of Aaron's right ear and the thumb of his right hand and upon the big toe of his right foot. Next he smeared some of the blood upon Aaron's sonsupon the lobes of their right ears, upon their right thumbs, and upon the big toes of their right feet. The rest of the blood he sprinkled back and forth upon the altar. Then he took the fat, the tail, the fat upon the inner organs, the gall bladder, the two kidneys with their fat, and the right shoulder, and placed on top of these one unleavened wafer, one wafer spread with olive oil, and a slice of bread, all taken from the basket which had been placed there before the Lord. All this was placed in the hands of Aaron and his sons to present to the Lord by a gesture of waving them before the altar. Moses then took it all back from them and burned it upon the altar, along with the burnt offering to the Lord; and Jehovah was pleased by the offering. Now Moses took the breast and presented it to the Lord by waving it before the altar; this was Moses-' portion of the ram of consecration, just as the Lord had instructed him. Next he took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood that had been sprinkled upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron and upon his clothes and upon his sons and upon their clothes, thus consecrating to the Lord's use Aaron and his sons and their clothes. Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons, Boil the meat at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and eat it along with the bread that is in the basket of consecration, just as I instructed you to do. Anything left of the meat and bread must be burned. Next he told them not to leave the Tabernacle entrance for seven days, after which time their consecration would be completedfor it takes seven days. Then Moses stated again that all he had done that day had been commanded by the Lord in order to make atonement for them. And again he warned Aaron and his sons to stay at the entrance of the Tabernacle day and night for seven days. If you leave, he told them, you will diethis is what the Lord has said. So Aaron and his sons did all that the Lord had commanded Moses.

THE GARMENTS OF THE HIGH PRIEST

8:6-9

1.

Holy Crown

2.

Mitre

3.

Breastplate

4.

Ephod

5.

Coat

6.

Robe

7.

Band (girdle)

8. A board of the Tabernacle - tenons

9. Floor planshowing its boards

10. The innermost (linen) curtain of the Tabernacle. Note that it was formed of two groups of five curtains decorated with cherubim, and joined by loops and taches (or clasps).

COMMENT 8:6-36

Leviticus 8:6 The washing of Aaron and his sons is very important. It only happened one time. Whereas their feet and hands later were washed many times, they were bathed but once at the entrance into their office and work. The water used was from the laver. Whether they could be immersed in such a container is open to question since the size or capacity of the foot of the laver is not known; neither is the size of the laver itself described. We do know we are buried with Christ in baptism (Romans 6:4) as we enter our office and work of priests (1 Peter 2:5), and that such a washing is called the bath (or laver) of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). We need often to return to the source of cleansing, the precious blood, and repent, confess and pray over our sins that He might forgive us and keep us clean. 1 John 1:7-9. Cf. Acts 8:22 ff.

Leviticus 8:7 Following the purification there must be the endowments. These come almost simultaneously. The six garments of the high priest are here under consideration. We ask the reader to once again refer to the picture and description found in this text. We shall add a few additional observations here:

(1) Ephod: This seems to be the one garment which distinguished a priest. Cf. 1 Samuel 2:28; 1 Samuel 14:3; 1 Samuel 21:9; 1 Samuel 22:18; 1 Samuel 23:6; 1 Samuel 30:7. David's request for the ephod is tantamount to saying bring to me the priest. Both David and Samuel put on the ephod to perform the tasks of a priest. They could have not so acted without the ephod.

(2) A coat of fine linen: There was a sash and trousers to accompany the coatall of these to be worn under the ephod. Tradition has it that this coat was without seam like our Lord's (John 19:23).

(3) A turban, a mitre, or a bonnet were worn by both the high priest and the lesser priests for ornament and beauty. Upon the headdress of the high priest was a golden plate upon which was inscribed holiness unto the Lord.
(4) The ephod for the high priest had a sash, girdle, or band. This was skillfully woven with the colors of blue, scarlet and purple.
(5) Under the ephod and over the coat was the robe of the ephod. It reached down to the feet; it was set alternately with silver bells and pomegranates.
(6) Finally the breastplate.

Leviticus 8:8 In this folded piece of cloth was a pocket, and in the pocket was the Urim and the Thummim. Sewn onto the outside of the breastplate were twelve stones: one stone for each tribe and the names inscribed upon each separate stone. Such stones have been described in Exodus chapter 28. We fondly hope that all our readers will have a copy of Wilbur Field's splendid text on Exodus. For the benefit of those who do not, we shall describe briefly the breastplate and its meaning. We ought to mention the fact that in order to hold the breastplate upon Aaron's chest, two stones were sewn on the ephod upon his shoulders. The names of all twelve tribes were engraved on each of those stones. The breastplate was held here by cords or chains. Thus the twelve tribes of Israel were upon the heart and shoulders of the great high priest. The application of these thoughts to our great high priest are too obvious to need much more than a mention of them. Andrew Bonar has a most unusual comparison to make just here: (15a)

It is curious to notice a connection between New Jerusalem glories and the breastplate, and yet more to observe that both point back to Eden. It may thus be shewn. The first precious stone mentioned in the Bible is the onyx-stone (Genesis 2:12); and it was this stone that formed the stones of memorial on the shoulders of the high priest's ephod (Exodus 28:9), on which the names of the twelve tribes were engraven. Then, further, and more directly as to the breastplate, there is mention in Ezekiel (who is the prophet that describes the cherubim, and most frequently refers to Eden) of the following precious stones having been in Eden:The sardius, topaz, and diamond, the beryl, and the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle (chap. Exodus 28:13). It would almost appear as if the breastplate of the high priest pointed back to Eden, promising to God's Israel readmission into its glories; while New Jerusalem speaks of the same, presenting to the redeemed all, and more than all, the glory of Paradise, into which they are introduced by the Lamb, the true High Priest, who bears their names on His heart. Add to this, that in Revelation 4:3, He who sits on the throne was to look upon as the jasper and the sardine stonethe first and last in order of the breastplate stones. So to speak, here is the breastplate tinge in the beams that radiate from the Father who sent His Son.

We do wish to comment upon the meaning of the two strange objects called the Urim and the Thummim. The first word means lights used in the same way as the sun and moon are called lights. Cf. Psalms 136:7. The second term means perfections. Whatever they were they had to do with the communication of God to Aaron through them. Bonar believes the Urim and Thummim are another form of the ten commandments or more of the commandments of God. Perhaps there is an allusion to them in Psalms 19:1-14 where the law of the Lord is said to be perfect and the commandments of the Lord to be an enlightener of the eyes. It has been suggested by one who is a ready scribe in the law of God, that the stones of the breastplate were arranged in the manner in which the tents were pitched around the ark thus:

The Urim and Thummim would be in the midst, corresponding to the place of the ark; and the stones on each of the four sides. If so, do we not see Israel encamped in safety with the Law in the midst? Or in other words, with the Revealed God in the midst. Theredeemed abide secure because His revealed will is their rule. (Cf. 1 Samuel 14:41-42; 1 Samuel 28:6)

The mode of consulting the Lord by the Urim is uncertain. It may have been simply this: the priest put on the breastplate with all it contained, when he drew near the Lord's presence. And this was an appropriate action for the Urim was a sign or testimony of the Lord being in the midst of Israel, ready to be consulted in time of need. (1 Samuel 28:6; Nehemiah 7:65) (Bonar)

Leviticus 8:9 The headdress of the high priest is called a mitre in contrast to the headgear of the common priest which was called a bonnet. Upon this turban or mitre was fastened a golden crown or golden plate; we cannot be sure of the size or design of the plate, i.e. if it were rectangle or a half-circle. Engraved upon it were the words holiness to the Lordhence it is called the holy crown.

The thought seems to be that all the high priest accomplishes is to exalt and uphold the holiness of God. As we look up into the face of the sinless Son of God we read again and again what God requires is holiness. In our High Priest we can be both holy and righteous.

Leviticus 8:10-11 Aaron and his sons are arrayed and anointed; they are now left by Moses to stand within the court of the tabernacle. Moses is to take the anointing oil and apply it to the various items of furniture in the tabernacle. These same pieces have been previously sprinkled with blood, they are now anointed or set-apart for their service. It is very instructive to notice the careful consistency of the scriptures: no one is ready for service until he is first cleansed and then anointed. It is just as true of inanimate objects such as the table of showbread or the golden candlestick.

The altar of burnt offering is of special significance because it is from this altar all sacrifices and services begin. Seven times must the anointing oil be applied to it. The flesh hooks, the basins, the pans and all other items used to serve the altar received the anointing oil.

The base or foot of the laver along with the top or basin of this receptacle were anointed. If the molten sea was patterned after the laver then the laver could have held considerable water. Even the portable lavers in Solomon's temple held 240 gallons of water. (1 Kings 7:38-39) The lower portion of the tabernacle laver was for cleansing necessary for both priest and sacrifice and this would require a large quantity of water. The ritual thus performed sanctified or set-apart these physical items for a holy purpose.

Leviticus 8:12 This verse reminds us of Psalms 133:1-2 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard; that came down upon the skirt (or collar) of his garment. Unity comes from God not manfrom the Spirit of God not the spirits of men. The oil was a composite of several substances. So are the many to contribute to each other in a fragrance better than any one apart from the other. Perhaps the point is with the abundance of oil as compared with the abundance of joy shared in unity. The oil was poured, not sprinkled. We are also reminded of our Lord who was anointed with the Holy Spirit at His baptism and received Him without measure (Acts 10:35; John 3:34).

Leviticus 8:13 The sons of Aaron had distinctive dress. It consisted of linen drawers, with a close fitting cassock, also linen, white, but with diamond or chessboard pattern on it (Exodus 29:8-9). Upon their heads they were to wear caps or bonnets in the form of a cup-shaped flower, also of fine linen. In all their acts of ministration they were to be barefooted. The subsequent sons of Aaron were to make up the priesthood as separate from the Levites.

Leviticus 8:14 A sin offering must be made for the priests before worship can be conducted on behalf of others. Both Aaron and all four of his sons laid their hands upon the head of the young bull. This is the only act performed by them; all other action was taken by Moses. The sins of the priests must first be admitted and transferred to the sin bearer. If more preachers today were as repentant about their sins as they expect the people to be about theirs, we would all be able to worship in spirit and in truth.

Leviticus 8:15-17 The altar must be purified before it can be used. It has already been set-apart or sanctified, but for this particular ceremony or service it must be purified with blood. Much of the altar was touched with the bloodthe horns and base. Bonar has an interesting observation here: But why -purify-' the altar? In order to bring to view another truth. The sin laid on the altar would have polluted it had not this blood been previously laid on it to preclude this danger. So the Son of Man was prepared by the depth and intensity of His purityby the abundant indwelling of the Holy Spiritfor bearing the sin laid upon Him without being thereby polluted at all. He was so set apart and purified beforehand, in the body prepared for Him, that the sins of a world lying upon His person communicated no stain whatsoever to Him. We indeed have an altar.

Leviticus 8:18-21 The ceremony for the burnt offering is the same here as given in Leviticus 4:9-11. Cf. Leviticus 1:3-9. All we have said earlier as to the significance of the burnt offering is related here to Aaron and his sons. The priest was indeed himself compassed about with infirmity; offerings then must not only be made for the worshippers, but for himself.

Leviticus 8:22 It would seem that to a very large extent all that preceded was but preliminary to the offering of the ram of consecration. It has been well observed that this is the priest's trespass offering. What thoughts were in the mind of the priest as he laid his hand upon the head of this ram? He must identify himself with the animalhe is sayingI am being offered, he is taking my place. But more than this, he sees himself givensacrificed in the service of the priesthood.

Leviticus 8:23-24 In a most dramatic manner the whole person is dedicated to the service of God and man. Blood upon the right ear symbolizing the dedication of what we hear. There are two aspects of this dedication: (1) We can choose what we hear. Not all we hear can be chosen, but when we can choose we prefer to listen to that which pleases the One to whom these ears are dedicated; (2) We can respond to what we have heard as if we were acting in the place of God for indeed we are! The order of anointing is meaningful: the hand and foot move in response to what is heard.

Once again our great high priest is our example in this dedicationA body hast thou prepared for me (Hebrews 10:5) well describes His commitment. We are reminded that our bodies are not ours, but His (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Leviticus 8:25-27 These verses are a review summary of the parts of the sacrifice offered. They also present in a most meaningful manner the dedication of the priests to God. Notice the various portions as they are placed in the hands of the priests: (1) The fat of the flesh and the fat of the tail; (2) the fat that belonged to the Lord, i.e. the fat from the inward parts including the fat upon the liver and the kidneys; (3) the right thigh of the animal; (4) three pieces of the unleavened breadone piece from each of the three orders of preparation. All of these were placed in the hands of Aaron and his sons. When their hands are thus full they are to wave this before God as an expression that all of it is devoted or given to Him. We are sure that in this ceremony the priest is saying My body, soul and spirit are given to Thee in service to men, but we believe there is something also symbolic in the portions chosen: (1) the fat of the flesh or tailthe external energy of the everyday activities; (2) the fat sacred to GodI am responsible for giving it to Himmy deepest desires belong to Him; (3) my strength comes from Him and belongs to Him; (4) all I have is a gift of thanksgiving to Him. The priests really had their hands full in the task given to them by God. We are those priests today! (1 Peter 2:5)

Leviticus 8:28-29 We must remember the altar of burnt offering was always alivethe altar fire never went out. One sacrifice had not been consumed until another was laid upon the burning embers. Upon such a fire was the ordination offering cast by Moses. The whole burnt offering was in a manner, the primary sacrifice; it expressed atonement, full atonement. Therefore, the putting on it of those pieces which represented the giving up of feelings and desires, and the meat offering, which represented the person's whole substance, was a deceleration that all we offer to God must be on the foundation of atonement. By Him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually. (Hebrews 13:15) (Ibid.)

The last action of the consecration of the priests was the holding up and waving before God by Moses of the breast of the consecration ram. It seems a most poignant conclusion to all the proceedings. Does this say as the heart of the sacrificial animal is held up and offered to Jehovah so we give our hearts to Him? Or is this saying all we have given is represented in the heart of the animal we now offer to Thee?

Leviticus 8:30 It would seem in this verse we have a repetition of what has already been done. Has not the blood and oil already been sprinkled upon Aaron and his sons and even upon their garments? (Cf. Leviticus 8:12; Leviticus 8:24) Indeed it has but not upon them as priests. They were only men, the sons of Levi. They are now priests unto God and as such they receive a double portion of God's blessings. Someone has well observed that blood separates and oil uniteswhen they are mixed God's man is set-apart and committed to Him; twice over have Aaron and his sons been given to Him.

Isn-'t it curious to read of garments being set apart? We have allusions to this in the New Testament: hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh (NIS) or but hate the very clothing that is contaminated with sensuality. (NEB) Cf. Revelation 3:4; Revelation 16:15. Garments are analogous to our outward appearance and actions. May our actions and attitudes compliment our purposes as well chosen clothes compliment the person of the one who wears them.

Leviticus 8:31 The ram of the consecration will be eaten by the priests and in this sense does indeed become their trespass offering. This is an indication of the peace and atonement made by the previous sacrifices. The fire for the cooking no doubt came from the brazen altar. Boiled meat and unleavened bread at the door of the tabernacle. This was done in the sight of all the congregation to assure them that these men were acceptable to God and were now their servants.

Leviticus 8:32 There must be nothing left to corrupt, and nothing left neglected. Either it must be wholly eaten or wholly burned. This would suggest the fact that there are no half-way measures in the service of God.

Leviticus 8:33-34 We have suggested earlier that the presence of the priests within the tabernacle, i.e. the outer court (or was it the holy place?) suggests that peace has been accomplished and to all intents they enjoy the benefits of the peace offering. What would these men do during these seven days? Perhaps these ceremonies took longer than they seem to by merely reading about them. Were they repeated for the benefit of some who could not be present to see them the first time? Perhaps meditation then was much more fully developed than it is today.

Leviticus 8:35 This should be no weariness to those who rejoice in the presence of God. But God is serious about this prohibitiondo it or die! It is interesting to note Moses disclaiming authority for this command. He says for so I am commanded.

Are present-day priests to be continually in any form of service to God? We read Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks (Romans 12:12) (1 Thessalonians 5:17). It is an imperative with us alsowe do this or we die spiritually.

Leviticus 8:36 When the Lord ceased to speak it was time for men to act. Aaron and his sons did as the Lord commanded. From what we later learn of two of Aaron's sons their hearts must have not been in their actions.

Bonar has a fine application of the meaning of the word consecration as it relates to the New Testament. He says:
Looking back on this chapter, the subject of the consecration of the priests leads us to an interesting investigation. The consecration was the time when a priest was fully brought into the duties of his office, and all the privileges of his office. Though of Aaron's line, still he was not fully a priest till he was consecrated. This is to be kept in mind; for, with a reference partly to this idea and partly to the Hebrew term for it mille-' yadh, filling the hand, the Septuagint were led to adopt the Greek word perfect to express consecration.

If we keep this in remembrance, we are prepared to understand several passages of the New Testament that otherwise are difficult and obscure. In the Epistle to the Hebrews, Christ is spoken of (chapter Leviticus 2:10) as made perfect by sufferings; and more specially (chapter Leviticus 5:9), being made perfect is connected with His priesthood; and in chapter Leviticus 7:28, this is the term used to describe His consecration. There is no difficulty left, when we see it is office, not character, that is spoken of. Now, in a figurative way, but with a reference to this idea, Hebrews 10:14 represents Jesus as perfecting those that are set apart by His blood; i.e. He puts them, by His one offering, into the possession of all the privileges of fully pardoned and justified ones. The spirits of just men made perfect (Hebrews 12:23) bears the same reference; they are entered into possession of, or fully installed in, what was intended for them. Like Aaron's sons, looking forward to privileges inasmuch as they were priests-' sons, but not entered on possession till the day of perfectionso had it been with these just men. James (James 2:22) says, By His works was faith made perfect. Faith was carried out to its proper purpose; it entered on its proper work; it was inaugurated visibly by His works. It is thus, too, in 1 John 2:5, Whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. The love of God, which he feels, is carried out to its proper extent, or is fully made use of for the purpose intended, when it leads a man to walk holily. It has its consecration-dayit has fully entered on its office.

This is still better seen in 1 John 4:17, Herein is our love made perfect. It is God's love to us that is the themethe love that is with us. He calls it (as if the name Immanuel were running in his mind) the love with us, i.e., God's display of love to us (Leviticus 8:16) in His Son, which is now our property. He says this love of God to us is made perfecthas got its consecration-dayhas fully entered on its office. Herein (viz., as Leviticus 8:10, in the sending of His Son) has God's love to us reached its perfection. The ocean has been filled with love; it is an ocean which we may call ours; angels cannot call it theirs. And so complete is this display of God's love to us, that at the day of judgment we shall have no fear; and even at present, in spite of indwelling sin, we by union to Him are as really righteous as our Suretyas He is, so are we! Hence it is that they altogether mistake the gospel who cherish fears and doubts, as if they were part of its results. This love has no element of fear in it; nay, He that feareth is not made perfect in love Leviticus 8:18. He who still fears, and has suspicious doubts remaining, has not entered upon his consecration-dayhas not fully entered upon the enjoyment of the privileges to which this love entitles him: for this perfect love casts out all fear. Such a man is not installed in full possession of the love.

FACT QUESTIONS 8:6-36

200.

Why is the washing of Aaron and his sons so important? How does it relate to us?

201.

Name and describe the six items in the dress of the high priest. What application is there in this for us?

202.

Discuss the meaning and use of the Urim and Thummim.

203.

Why anoint the furniture in the tabernacle since it was already sprinkled with blood?

204.

How is the laver related to the molten sea? How related to us?

205.

How is the anointing of Aaron compared to the unity of brethren?

206.

List the items in the dress of Aaron's sons.

207.

Why the sin offering before the burnt offering?

208.

Why was it necessary to purify the altar?

209.

What is distinctive about this burnt offering as compared with all others?

210.

What constituted the priest's trespass offering? Discuss.

211.

Please carefully analyze the use of blood on the person of Aaron and his sons. Relate it to us as priests unto God.

212.

The priests really had their hands full. Describe the items in their hands and what they mean.

213.

In what sense can we say the whole burnt offering was in a manner the primary sacrifice?

214.

What was the last act in the consecration of the priestsof what significance?

215.

Show how Leviticus 8:30 is not repetitious.

216.

Why sanctify the garments of the priests?

217.

Why burn up all left from the meal? What lesson is taught to the congregation by the meal of the priests?

218.

Why the insistence that the priests stay within the precincts of the tabernacle? What lesson for us?