Leviticus 8
IT WILL be found that the book of Leviticus is about worship, and subjects taken up in relation to it. In chapters 1-6:7, we have the ground of worship; in chapters 6:8-7:38, rules regarding worship; in chapter 8, the consecration of the worshipers; in chapter 9, worship itself; in chapter 10, the state necessary for worship; and in chapter 11, the sanctified walk becoming to a worshiper.
We remember how this wonderful book began. It says, “And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto Him out of the tabernacle of the congregation...” It is precious to notice the sacrifice with which God begins. He does not begin with that which meets our need (the sin offering) but that which meets His need — the highest type of all, the burnt offering. And what is this but God speaking from His own heart? Once the glory of God is secured, Love works down to our necessities, and leaves no stone unturned to secure the eternal blessing of all who are the objects of that love. God’s great purpose in all this is to secure worshipers, “for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.” John 4:2323But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (John 4:23).
The sense of His love, and the good pleasure of having us before Him in Christ, is the spring of worship. It is the Father’s will that His beloved Son, who has so perfectly revealed Him as the fountain of that love, should be honored, and that He should lead the hearts of His children into the Father’s love. Worship is the homage of love, and this will be our occupation forever when we are at home in the Father’s house.
We now come to the consecration of Aaron and his sons. The word “consecration” means to “fill the hands,” and so here we have a lovely picture of the priestly family, their hands filled with Christ, which they offer to the Lord in worship.
It is very instructive to see the place that Moses has in this. Nothing could have been carried on without him. He received the pattern and communicated it. He set up the house. He brings forward the priest and his sons and introduces them, so to speak, to the place where the glory dwelt. He offers the offerings, fills the hands of the priests, and places them in the position where they were to carry on the whole order of the house of Gad. All this was the work of the mediator, and distinguished from the priest’s work. Nothing could be established without the work of the mediator. Hebrews (chapter 3) speaks of Moses’ faithfulness in his position, and also the importance and meaning of Aaron’s office, keeping the two distinct throughout.
Nevertheless both these offices meet in Christ. He is “the mediator of a better covenant,... established on better promises,” even as He also is the great High Priest of His people. And all His glories He carries into His office on their behalf. What a Saviour, and what a place and portion is ours! We are called to consider Him, “the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.” (Heb. 3:11Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1)).
ML-10/10/1971