Leviticus 8:2-30 Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams… Moses having, in obedience to the Lord's command, gathered all the congregation to the door of the Tabernacle (vers. 3, 4), "brought Aaron and his sons, and — I. WASHED them with water (ver. 6). We must bear in mind that in this ceremonial Aaron is made to be representatively what Christ is intrinsically, while Aaron's sons represent the Church, as she is in Christ. This ceremonial was "to hallow," sanctify, or set apart — Aaron and sons "to minister unto" the Lord "in the priest's office" (Exodus 29:1). Jesus, "sanctified" of Father (John 10:36; Hebrews 5:4-6), did also sanctify Himself for His people's sake (John 17:17-19). 1. Aaron's sons must be "clean," to "bear the vessels of the Lord" (Isaiah 52:11). By nature all are "as an unclean thing " (Isaiah 64:6); nor can any wash himself (Jeremiah 2:22); but God can cleanse the vilest (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), and does so in His grace and mercy. Jesus sanctifies "the Church" "with the washing of water by the Word" (Ephesians 5:26; John 15:3); and none can draw nigh to God without such "washing" (Hebrews 10:22; Titus 3:5). 2. Clothed (vers. 7-9). In the holy garments made for Aaron, "for glory and for beauty" (Exodus 28:2; see Isaiah 4:2, marg.), Christ is shadowed forth as the God-man, Priest, Saviour, King; able to meet His people's every need for time and for eternity. Moses put on — II. AARON — 1. The coat. The Lord clothes (Isaiah 61:10; Zechariah 3:4, 5). "Body," "prepared" (Hebrews 10:5); "the Word... made flesh" (John 1:14). 2. Girdle, emblem of service (John 13:4; Luke 12:37). Jesus, Servant (Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 53:11). 3. Robe; blue, heavenly, Jesus, "the Lord from heaven." There, even when on earth, returned thither; will come from thence (1 Corinthians 15:47; John 3:13; Mark 16:19; Philippians 3:20). Heavenly in nature, character, all. Where Jesus is, there is heaven. 4. Ephod. Same materials as glorious inner covering of Tabernacle. (1) Gold and blue, betokening the Divine and heavenly Man Christ Jesus. God "manifest in the flesh" (John 3:31; 1 Timothy 3:16; Luke 1:35). (2) White and scarlet. Of spotless purity, and obedient unto death (Hebrews 7:26; Philippians 2:8). (3) Purple. "King of glory"; "King eternal" (Psalm 24:7-10; 1 Timothy 1:17; Zechariah 9:9; Luke 19:34-38). 5. Curious girdle, like ephod. "Righteousness " and "faithfulness" of our "Great High Priest" (Isaiah 11:5; Hebrews 4:14). 6. Breastplate. Jesus bears His people on His heart, proof of love. He loves to end (John 13:1). "Gave Himself" for Church, and now appears "in the presence of God for" His people (Ephesians 5:25; Hebrews 9:24). 7. Urim and Thummim in breastplate, by which the mind of God was made known. Literally, "Lights and Perfections." Jehovah Jesus, in the midst of His chosen ones, is "the Light" and outshining of the Father's glory (John 8:12; Hebrews 1:3); the Manifestation of His love (1 John 4:9); the Declarer of His mind and will (John 1:18). 8. Mitre and crown (see Zechariah 3:5; Zechariah 6:11, 13). Essential holiness and purity of our High Priest and King, who bare the " iniquity of the holy things" of His people (Exodus 28:38; Isaiah 53:11). Next see — III. AARON'S SONS clothed (ver. 13) in coats, girdles, bonnets "of fine linen" (Exodus 28:40; Exodus 39:8, 9, 27, 29). 1. Coats. Putting on "the Lord... Christ" (Romans 13:14). 2. Girdles. Serving Him (Colossians 3:24; Hebrews 12:28). 3. Fine linen. Death and resurrection with quickened "seed" (1 Corinthians 15:36; John 12:24). 4. Bonnets. Mind, intellect. A "royal priesthood" purified. Every thought brought "into captivity" (Ephesians 4:23, 24; 2 Corinthians 10:5). 5. "For glory and for beauty" (Exodus 28:40); which His people to share with their risen Lord (John 17:10, 22; Romans 8:30; 2 Corinthians 3:13, 18; Psalm 90:17; Ezekiel 16:14); as they shine for Him and reflect His image; "for as He is, so are," &c. (1 John 4:17). 6. Woven. Righteousness wrought out (Romans 3:22, 25, 26; Ephesians 1:20; Psalm 132:9; Revelation 19:8); by the Head, Christ, who directs His "members" in the service of God. IV. ANOINTED. Moses having "anointed the Tabernacle, and all therein" (vers. 10-12), where Aaron was to minister, as type of Jesus, "minister" of "true Tabernacle" (Hebrews 8:2); then "poured" anointing oil on Aaron's head (Psalm 23. 5; 133:2). Here Aaron stood alone, nor were his sons clothed till after his anointing. Jesus, holy from birth, yet anointed for service (Luke 3:21, 22). "God anointed Jesus," &c. (Acts 10:38; Luke 4:18); "above" those He graciously deigns to call His "fellows" (Psalm 45:7; Hebrews 1:9). He must "have the pre-eminence" (Colossians 1:18); being "above all," and "the Head" (Ephesians 1:21, 22). Oil poured. "God giveth not the Spirit by measure," &c. (John 3:34), but in sevenfold power (Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 61:1, 2; Revelation 3:1); for service, death, resurrection (Acts 2:22; Acts 4:27; Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 3:18). But the Spirit could not be given to His people till His atoning work was accomplished and Himself "glorified" (John 7:39). Hence, till the sacrifices were offered, Aaron's sons were not anointed (ver. 30). Then, together with Aaron, because Head and "members" one (Hebrews 2:11). First, blood was put on ear, hands, feet (ver. 24), then Moses "sprinkled " it "upon the altar." After which, following the "wave-offering" (ver. 27) — typifying resurrection with Christ — "Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled" upon them and upon their garments. Oil and blood, blood and oil (Exodus 29:21); significant of justification and sanctification, which are inseparably connected (1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Peter 1:2). Sealing and sanctifying (Ephesians 1:13) are the work of the blessed Trinity. God not only cleanses and clothes, but anoints (Ezekiel 16. 9, 10; 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22). Here see in type the sanctifying power of Jesu's blood shed for us, and Holy Spirit's work within, when the Father draws to Jesus those whom He has given Him (John 6:37, 44, 45). Thus, behold Aaron and sons, washed, clothed, anointed — V. CONSECRATED, or set apart for service of God. The oneness of Christ and His people seen in Aaron and sons laying hands on head of each victim (leaning with weight, as word implies); Jesus — Antitype of offerings. His people partakers of the benefits resulting from His great work. 1. Sin-offering. Pardon and justification. 2. Burnt-offering. Acceptance and worship. 3. Ram of consecration. Consecration and devotedness, all in and through Christ. VI. FILLING THE HAND. See marginal reading of "consecrate" (Exodus 28:41; Exodus 29:9). The personal reception and appropriation of the Father's Gift of love (vers. 25-28; 2 Corinthians 9:15), even Christ. His rich preciousness (fat and inwards), His life (cakes), His death (ram slain), His strength (shoulder). "All things are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's" (1 Corinthians 3:21-23); and all given back to God as burnt-offering, "a sweet-smelling savour" (Ephesians 5:2; Romans 12:1). VII. FEEDING AND COMMUNION (vers. 31-36) are needed to maintain the life given and consecrated to God. No fitness of service without. Seven days, complete cycle of time, as appointed by God. Some would rush into service directly the heart — through the operation of the Holy Spirit — has opened to receive Jesus; but ofttimes God sees fit to give long training. Only let God feed, strengthen, and fit for the service to which He calls, and then go forth in His strength. (Lady Beaujolois ,Dent.) Parallel Verses KJV: Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread; |
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