Leviticus 10:19

But Aaron replied to Moses, "Behold, this very day they presented their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD. Since these things have happened to me, if I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been acceptable in the sight of the LORD?"

Study Bible

But Aaron replied to Moses
Aaron, the brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel, is responding to Moses' inquiry. This interaction occurs after the tragic death of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, who offered unauthorized fire before the Lord. Aaron's response is significant as it reflects his role as a mediator between God and the people, and his deep understanding of the priestly duties and the gravity of the situation. This moment highlights the importance of obedience and reverence in worship, a theme that runs throughout Leviticus.

Behold, this very day they presented their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD
The sin offering and burnt offering were central to the sacrificial system established by God for Israel. The sin offering was meant to atone for unintentional sins, while the burnt offering symbolized complete dedication to God. Aaron emphasizes that these offerings were made "before the LORD," indicating their sacredness and the necessity of following divine instructions precisely. This phrase underscores the seriousness of worship and the need for purity and holiness in approaching God, as seen in other scriptures like Hebrews 9:22, which speaks of the necessity of blood for atonement.

Since these things have happened to me
Aaron refers to the death of his sons, a personal tragedy that also serves as a public lesson on the holiness required in the priesthood. This phrase reflects the human aspect of Aaron's role and the emotional weight of his responsibilities. It also points to the broader biblical theme of suffering and the testing of faith, as seen in the lives of other biblical figures like Job and Joseph. Aaron's experience can be seen as a type of Christ, who also suffered and bore the weight of sin, though without fault.

if I had eaten the sin offering today
According to Levitical law, the priests were to eat portions of certain offerings as part of the ritual process (Leviticus 6:26). Aaron's hesitation to eat the sin offering reflects his concern for maintaining ritual purity and his awareness of the spiritual state required to partake in such a sacred act. This moment foreshadows the New Testament understanding of communion, where believers are called to examine themselves before partaking in the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:28).

would it have been acceptable in the sight of the LORD?
Aaron's rhetorical question highlights his deep reverence for God's holiness and his fear of offending the Lord through improper actions. This concern for acceptability before God is a recurring theme in scripture, emphasizing the need for a pure heart and right intentions in worship (Psalm 51:17). It also points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose offering was fully acceptable to God, providing eternal redemption for humanity (Hebrews 10:10-14).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. He is central to this passage as he responds to Moses regarding the offerings.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites and a prophet, who is questioning Aaron about the handling of the sin offering.

3. Nadab and Abihu
Aaron's sons who had just died for offering unauthorized fire before the LORD, which sets the context for Aaron's response.

4. The Tabernacle
The place where the Israelites worshiped God and where the offerings were made.

5. Sin Offering and Burnt Offering
Sacrifices presented to God for atonement and dedication, respectively.

Teaching Points

Understanding God's Holiness
Aaron's response highlights the importance of approaching God with reverence and understanding His holiness.

The Weight of Leadership
Aaron's role as high priest required discernment and responsibility, especially in times of personal grief and communal worship.

Obedience and Heart Condition
The acceptability of offerings is not just about ritual compliance but also the heart condition of the worshiper.

God's Mercy in Judgment
Even in judgment, there is room for understanding and mercy, as seen in Aaron's reasoning with Moses.

Balancing Duty and Personal Grief
Aaron's situation teaches us about balancing our responsibilities to God and others, even in times of personal loss.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Aaron's response to Moses reflect his understanding of God's holiness and the seriousness of the priestly duties?

2. In what ways does the context of Nadab and Abihu's death influence Aaron's decision regarding the sin offering?

3. How can we apply the principle of obedience over sacrifice in our daily lives, as seen in Aaron's concern for the acceptability of the offering?

4. What does Aaron's situation teach us about handling personal grief while fulfilling our responsibilities to God and others?

5. How can we discern when to prioritize mercy over ritual in our spiritual practices, as suggested by Aaron's reasoning and other scriptural connections?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 9
Provides context for the offerings and the consecration of Aaron and his sons, leading up to the events of Leviticus 10.

Hebrews 5:1-4
Discusses the role of the high priest, which connects to Aaron's responsibilities and his response to Moses.

1 Samuel 15:22
Emphasizes obedience over sacrifice, which relates to Aaron's concern about the acceptability of the offering.

Matthew 12:7
Jesus speaks about mercy over sacrifice, which can be seen in Aaron's understanding of the situation.