Leviticus 8:1-13 The Consecration of the Tabernacle, Aaron and His Sons
“The account of the consecration of the priests and the priesthood (Leviticus 8-10) follows the regulations concerning offerings (Leviticus 1-7). This section of Leviticus clarifies the way all approaches to God were to be mediated under the Old Covenant. We have a change in literary genre here from legal to narrative material.” (Dr. Thomas B. Constable) “’Take Aaron and his sons with him…’
The four sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar - all four being closely associated with Aaron in his consecration to the office of high priest. In a sense, they correspond to the four Gospel witnesses - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - the great N.T. witnesses of the Christ. Notice also, that it was ‘the sons of Aaron’ alone who, in these instructions had access to that lesser priesthood which corresponds to that of every Christian. Only by virtue of being ‘sons of the high priest’ were they admitted. So it is with us, only because we are sons of God in Christ are we admitted to the royal priesthood. It is true, of course, that the Levites later succeeded to the status here reserved to Aaron and his sons, but the typology is here. ‘We can become priests only by our connection with the High Priest, Jesus Christ.’” (Coffman Commentary)
“And gather all the congregation together at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.’ (3) An epoch making moment was about to take place. It was therefore important that all should see that it was of God. On this day God would establish a priesthood that would have responsibility before God for the whole people of God over the next a thousand years and more, until they were finally replaced by Jesus Christ. Over that period they were to be His representatives on earth.” (Peter Pett) Moreover, let us remember: “Priestly service in the Old Testament is mainly performed for the benefit of the people, i.e. for others.” (G. de Koning) Thus, they had an iron in the fire... and it was right for them to be there.
“So Moses did as Yahweh commanded him. And the congregation was gathered together at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. And Moses said to the congregation, ‘This is what Yahweh commanded to be done.’ (4-5)
“Though God had crowned him king in Jeshurun, when he made his face to shine in the sight of all Israel, yet he did not institute or appoint any thing in God's worship but what God himself had commanded.” (Matthew Henry)
“Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.” (6) “We read that ‘Moses’-acting throughout, we must remember, as Mediator, representing God-‘brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.’ The meaning of this act is so evident as not to have been called in question. Washing ever signifies cleansing; the ceremonial cleansing of the body, therefore, in symbol ever represents the inward purification of the spirit.” (The Expositor's Bible Commentary) “A believer who wants to be a priest uses the water of the Word not only to be cleansed, but above all to remain clean.” (G. de Koning)
“And he put the tunic on him, girded him with the sash, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him; and he girded him with the intricately woven band of the ephod, and with it tied the ephod on him. Then he put the breastplate on him, and he put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastplate. And he put the turban on his head. Also on the turban, on its front, he put the golden plate, the holy crown, as the Lord had commanded Moses.” (7-9) “The next ceremony of the consecration was the Investiture of Aaron with his official high priestly robes, as they had been appointed of God to be made. {Exodus 28:1-43} The investiture of the sons of Aaron significantly takes place only after the anointing of the tabernacle, and of Aaron as high priest.” (The Expositor's Bible Commentary)
He had eminence. “The Jew ever turned to his high priest for information on all religious points, and guidance in all perplexing junctures, knowing that in him was hid a source of light and the means of perfection which could neither fail nor mislead. But the apostle asserts that the High Priest of the Christian profession is also thus gifted and benignant. ‘In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.’ Within His breast there is a spring of knowledge as exhaustless--a law of holiness as authoritative--a beam of light as pure. He will lead in the paths of truth and holiness all who ask counsel at His lips.” (J. J. Bonar)
“Each portion of Aaron’s dress told of some trait or feature in Jesus’ fitness to stand for us-the girdle of His zeal; the robe and ephod of His beauty and glory; the breastplate that our names are written on His heart; the Urim and Thummim of His wisdom to direct; the miter of His holiness.” (F. B. Meyers) "No man taketh the honour unto himself, but when he is called of God, even as was Aaron. So Christ also glorified not Himself to be made a high priest." (Heb 5:4)
“‘And Moses took the anointing oil and sanctified them.’ (10) Aaron as a picture of the Lord Jesus is anointed with oil even before blood has been applied to him. In the sons of Aaron as a picture of the believers who are priests, blood is first applied and then oil (Leviticus 8:30). In the spiritual application this means that the Holy Spirit can come on the Lord Jesus without the application of blood, for He is the perfect, sinless Man. We are sinners by nature. The Holy Spirit can only come on sinners after they have been cleansed of their sins by the blood of the offering of Christ.”(G. de Koning) “Then Moses anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein—that is, the ark of the covenant, the altar of incense, the candlestick, the table of shewbread, with all the utensils belonging unto them. For the ingredients of this oil, which is also called ‘oil of holy ointment’ (Exodus 30:25), see Exodus 30:23-25.” (C.J. Ellicott) “This was to be a single-use building. It was there only for the purpose of man having a place to come and meet God. And it wasn't to be used for den mothers' meetings or anything like that. It was just strictly a place where people met the Lord.” (Charles W. Smith)
Leviticus 8:18-36 - Offerings at Their Consecration
"Moses officiated at this consecration. On all subsequent occasions, it was the High Priest who did so; but as yet there was no High Priest." (Coffman Commentary) "The blood of the ram of consecration was used in a remarkable way, to symbolize deep truths: on Aaron’s ear to express Christ’s obedience unto death; on the right thumb, to express Christ’s willingness to do all that the Father required of Him; on the right toe, to express that all His ways pleased God. Our Lord was washed in His baptism, anointed with oil on the Mount of Transfiguration, and received the final baptism of consecration in blood on the Cross. The sons of Aaron were treated in like manner, to show that in all these things Christians are called to be like Christ. See Matthew 20:22-23 . This remark specially applies to those who have been called to lead the flock.
Consecration , according to the Hebrew word, means filling the hand . Too many of us suppose that the consecrated soul renounces all-nay, it receives all. The nets are full of fish; the baskets are full of the broken pieces; the soul is full of grace and glory. Let us keep the charge of the Lord till the day break, and we enter the Most Holy Place beyond the veil!" (C. J. Ellicott)
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