Leviticus 6-8 Seeing Today In The Past

God directed Moses to set aside and sanctify Aaron and his sons as priests.  “God’s desire was that the entire nation of Israel be a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation, but they failed Him … the leaders failed to be holy and obedient as God commanded … God wants His church today to be a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that they may declare the praise of Him who called them out of darkness into His wonderful light.  The Jewish priests were a privileged people, yet they despised their privileges and helped lead the nation into sin,” my commentary explained.  “They had to accept three solemn responsibilities:  Submitting to God’s authority, revealing God’s glory, and accepting God’s discipline.”

What happened as Aaron and his sons were set aside for God shadows what we’d later find happening to us as we are joined with Christ.  First, they were washed.  Likewise, when sinners trust Christ, they are washed from their sins once and for all.  “In the Bible, water for washing is a picture of the Word of God.  As we meditate on the Word of God and apply it to our lives, the Spirit of God uses the Word to cleanse us and make us more like Christ.”

Next, they were clothed.  “For us, each believer-priest has been clothed in the beauty and righteousness of Jesus Christ and is accepted in Him.

Next, they were anointed.  “In Scripture, oil is often a symbol of the Spirit of God who has anointed each believer.”

Sacrifices were offered, and then blood from the sacrifice was placed on Aaron’s right ear, right thumb, and right big toe, “symbolizing that they were set apart to hear God’s voice, do God’s work, and walk in God’s way,” my commentary said.

Father, this visual reminder helps us to understand much better Your process of sanctifying us and setting us apart to You.  Help us to respond as a kingdom of priests should, and to keep ourselves from being polluted by the world.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford