Leviticus 9:22-24

THE BLESSING AND FIRE FROM HEAVEN 9:22-24
TEXT 9:22-24

22

And Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them; and he came down from offering the sin-offering, and the burnt-offering, and the peace-offerings.

23

And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of Jehovah appeared unto all the people.

24

And there came forth fire from before Jehovah, and consumed upon the altar the burnt-offering and the fat: and when all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 9:22-24

176.

From where did Aaron come down after he had made the offerings? Why lift up his hands in blessing the people?

177.

Why did Moses and Aaron go into the tent of meeting?

178.

Explain what is meant by or the reaction to the glory of the Lord as it appeared to the congregation.

179.

Does Leviticus 9:24 suggest that God Himself started the fire on the altar of burnt offering? Discuss.

PARAPHRASE 9:22-24

Then, with hands spread out towards the people, Aaron blessed them and came down from the altar. Moses and Aaron went into the Tabernacle, and when they came out again they blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord appeared to the whole assembly. Then fire came from the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and fat on the altar; and when the people saw it, they all shouted and fell flat upon the ground before the Lord.

COMMENT 9:22-24

Leviticus 9:22-24 Some commentators believe all the sacrificesboth for Aaron and the people were made in the morning and that Aaron went into the tabernacle's holy place with Moses in the late morning and stayed there until the evening sacrifice. It would seem to the present writer that the time involved in each of the sacrifices would consume most of the day. Be that as it may, before Aaron went into the tabernacle he with uplifted hands blessed the people. This was probably done from the elevated earthen ramp that led up to the altar. It was probably the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:24-26. Deuteronomy 10:8; Deuteronomy 21:5 expresses the thought that God separated Levi from the rest of the tribes for the express purpose of blessing the people. This would be accomplished through teaching as well as through sacrifices.

According to tradition the arms were raised above the head and extended toward the peoplethe hands were joined by clasping the thumbs and the two forefingers, separating the other fingers to form a triple division, thus to represent the triune God.
Upon walking down the ramp of the altar Aaron and Moses walked together in the presence of the large assembly and entered the door of the tabernacle. We are sure their first act was to burn incense upon the golden altar, for this was the completion act of the sacrifices. (Cf Exodus 20:7 ff.) Perhaps while in the holy place Moses gave Aaron the specific instructions for the burning of the incense, the trimming of the lamps, the order of the bread on the golden table. The Lord had promised to manifest His glory to the peopledid Moses and Aaron pray about this? If they did it wasn-'t that God would keep His promise, but that both they and the people would be ready to receive it. The glory that appeared to the people was probably in the form of a more luminous appearance of the cloudy pillar. Ginsburg says, This glorious appearance which, in a lesser degree, always filled the tabernacle, was now visible in greater effulgence to all the people who witnessed the installation. (Cf. Exodus 16:10; Exodus 40:34; 1 Kings 8:10-12) The purpose of this manifestation is more important than the event. God is saying by this brightness that He has accepted the priesthood and all their service to Him and for the people.

The climax of the whole day and ceremonies was the fire from God which consumed the sacrifices already smoldering upon the fire of the altar. God several times attested His acceptance as with the sacrifices of: Gideon, Judges 6:20-21; Elijah, 1 Kings 18:28; Solomon, 2 Chronicles 7:1-2.

We see no sacred perpetual fire connected with this incident. The fire was there before God sent the supernatural flameit was there after this occurrence.
The response of the people is an encouragement; they shouted and fell on their faces. This must have been an expression of awe and gratitude. Cf. 2 Chronicles 27:3.

FACT QUESTIONS 9:22-24

231.

When were the sacrifices of the eighth day made?

232.

What did Aaron say when he blessed the people?

233.

In what direction and in what posture did Aaron lift up his hands? Discuss.

234.

What did Moses and Aaron do in the tabernacle?

235.

What was the glory that appeared to them?

236.

Why did God send fire from heaven?