Leviticus 9:1 - Meaning and Application

Orders are given here for another solemn service on the eighth day. The new priests were put to work as soon as their days of consecration ended, to show them that they were not ordained to be idle. Those who desire the office of a bishop, that is, a church leader, should value the work more than the honor or benefit. The priests did not even get one free day to rest, celebrate, or receive the praise of their friends. They went right back to service, because their consecration meant their hands were being filled for God’s work.

God’s spiritual priests have steady work every day. The duties of each day call for them, and anyone who wants to give a good account of their life must redeem the time, that is, use it wisely. See (Ezekiel 43:26-27). Moses first raises their hope by telling them that God will appear to them that day (Leviticus 9:4). When all the people are gathered before the Lord, he says that the glory of the Lord will appear to them (Leviticus 9:6). They already had good reason to believe that God accepted what they had done according to his command, because he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Yet God gave them a visible sign, if possible to bind them more firmly to his worship and keep them from turning to idols.

We should not expect such visible appearances now. Christians live more by faith and less by sight than they did. Still, we can be sure that God draws near to those who draw near to him, and that offerings made in faith are truly pleasing to him. Since Christian sacrifices are spiritual, the signs of God’s acceptance are also spiritual, as is fitting. To those who are properly devoted to him, he will surely show himself.

God also prepares both the priests and the people to receive this blessing. Aaron, his sons, and the elders of Israel are called to attend (Leviticus 9:1). God shows himself in the gathered meetings of his people and ministers, and anyone who wants the comfort of his presence must be there. Aaron is told to prepare his offering, a young calf for a sin offering (Leviticus 9:2). Jewish writers say the calf may have reminded him of his sin in making the golden calf, which made him forever unworthy of the priesthood in himself, and which he should always remember with sorrow.

Aaron must also instruct the people to prepare their offerings. Up to now Moses had told the people what to do. Now Aaron, as high priest over God’s house, must teach them the things that belong to God: “Speak to the children of Israel” (Leviticus 9:3). Since he was to speak from the people to God through sacrifices, whose meaning the one who appointed them understood perfectly, he must also speak from God to the people in the laws about sacrifices. In this way Moses would strengthen the people’s respect for Aaron and their obedience to him as one set over them in the Lord.

Aaron must offer his own sacrifice first, and then the people’s (Leviticus 9:7). He must go to the altar, with Moses showing him the way. There he must first make atonement for himself. The high priest, being surrounded by weakness, had to offer for his own sins as well as for the people’s (Hebrews 5:2-3). He had to do this first, because how can we expect God to accept our prayers for others if we ourselves are not reconciled to him? No service is pleasing to God until the guilt of sin is removed through our share in the great propitiation, the sacrifice that turns away God’s wrath. Those who care for other people’s souls are taught here to look after their own first. Charity must begin at home, though it must not end there. This is like Paul’s charge to Timothy, to save himself first, and then those who hear him (1 Timothy 4:16).

The high priest made atonement for himself because he was joined with sinners. But we have a high priest who was separated from sinners and needed no atonement for himself. When Messiah the Prince was cut off as a sacrifice, it was not for himself, for he knew no sin. Then he must make atonement for the people by offering their sacrifices. Now that he is made high priest, he must care deeply about the people’s greatest need, their peace with God and the removal of the sin that had separated them from him. He must make atonement exactly as the Lord commanded.

Here we see the wonderful kindness of God. He does not merely allow atonement to be made, he commands it. He does not only admit us to be reconciled to him, he requires it. So there is no room left to doubt that the atonement he commands will be accepted.