Leviticus 9:8 - Meaning and Application

These were the first offerings ever made by the Levite priests under the new law of sacrifices, so the writer gives the details carefully. The goal was to show that they followed God’s instructions exactly.

Aaron killed the offering with his own hands, even though he was the high priest. In doing this, he took on the work of the lower priests. Even a great man must not think any service too small if it honors God. Moses had shown Aaron how to do this work properly, and Aaron then showed his sons, so they could do the same. This is one of the best ways to teach, since parents should train their children by their own example. So, as Moses had done before him, Aaron offered parts of the different sacrifices that had been appointed, and their different rules helped prepare them for every good work.

He also offered these sacrifices along with the regular morning burnt offering, which was to be brought each day first (Leviticus 9:17). Our regular prayers and worship in the morning and evening, whether alone or with our families, must not be left out for any reason, even when special duties arise. No matter what else we add, these steady duties must not be reduced.

It is not fully clear whether Aaron burned the sacrificial parts on the altar immediately with ordinary fire, as had been done before, or whether he placed them there ready for the fire from heaven that the people were expecting (Leviticus 9:24). Another view is that Aaron used ordinary fire for his own offerings, and after that was done, he laid the people’s sacrifices on the altar, where the Lord’s fire consumed them. The main point seems to be that Aaron did his part, and then God’s own fire came and quickly finished the work.

When Aaron had done everything required of him in the sacrifices, he lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them (Leviticus 9:22). This was part of the priest’s work, and it pointed to Christ, who came into the world to bless us. When Jesus left his disciples at his ascension, he lifted up his hands and blessed them, and through them, his whole church, since they were its leaders and representatives. Aaron lifted up his hands to show that the blessing comes from heaven, from God’s throne. Aaron could only ask for a blessing, but it is God’s right to give it. Aaron blessed the people and came down; Christ blessed and then went up.