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THE TRIPTYCH OF
LEVITICUS! 1
In 1977 four families went about the task of starting
a church near the northwest corner of Price and Guadalupe. They constructed
a worship center, put up a building that housed the pastor's office as well as
space for a nursery, and erected a few buildings where Sunday School classes
could be held for all ages.2
During the construction period someone must have
realized that they would need a pastor. So while the construction was taking
place the four families searched for a pastor. Eventually they found Dr.
Nathan Goff and hired him to be the first pastor of Bethany Community Church. The
church opened its doors on October 30th of that same year to a packed sanctuary
of about 500 people.
It wasn't too long into 1978 when the church faced
its first real crisis. I can't tell you what the first crisis happened
to be because I don't know what it was and it really doesn't matter. But
what I do know is that the church survived its first traumatic experience. And
worship, for most, continued without missing a beat.
Though you and I are part of Bethany's history,
we tend not to think of its history. Instead we focus on our role at the
church whether it be as a regular attender, an usher, a teacher, or as someone
serving on a committee. As such we are more concerned with how things work
around Bethany as opposed to its history.
Just so, it is easy to read Leviticus and assume
that it is all about the many regulations governing the life of Israel. That
is, we tend to think of it as a law book, not as a history book. But it
is just the opposite. It is first and foremost a history book as opposed
to a law book. The history provides a setting for all that takes place
in Leviticus. It shows us how God established a system of worship within
the nation of Israel.
Granted, the first seven chapters read more like
a maintenance manuel than a history book. But when we get to chapters 8,
9, and 10 we see history in the making. For in these three chapters we
have a long narrative describing the ordination of Aaron and his sons to the
priesthood. It is here that we are reminded that Leviticus isn't a law book, it's a history of God's people.
In chapter 8 we discover that Moses acts as the
interim priest. The first seven chapters spelled out in detail the role
of the worshiper in the various sacrifices as well as the role of the priest. But
as of chapter 8 a senior pastor had not been hired. That is, there was
no high priest. In fact, there were no priest at all. So Moses played
the role of priest and did as he was commanded. In obeying, he instituted
the priesthood.
As an aside, it in interesting to note what God
had in mind when he made a covenant with the Levites in regards to some of them
serving as priest. We see this as a flashback in Malachi 2:5 - 7 where
the original job description for priest is preserved. We read:
"The purpose of my covenant with the Levites
was to bring life and peace, and this is what I gave them. This called for reverence
from them, and they greatly revered me and stood in awe of my name. 6 They
passed on to the people all the truth they received from me. They did not lie
or cheat; they walked with me, living good and righteous lives, and they turned
many from lives of sin. 7 The priests' lips should guard knowledge, and
people should go to them for instruction, for the priests are the messengers
of the LORD Almighty. But you . . ."
In light of what God expected of the priest take
a look at the first three verses of chapter 8 in Leviticus and be prepared to
be shocked. We read:
The LORD said to Moses, 2 "Now
bring Aaron and his sons, along with their special clothing, the anointing oil,
the bull for the sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread
3 to the entrance of the Tabernacle. Then call the entire community of Israel
to meet you there."
Moses was commanded to bring Aaron and sons forward! Aaron!! He's
the guy who readily participated in the making of the golden calf not all that
long ago. He not only participated, he was one of the most active participants
even to the point of taking the lead in calling Israel to worship the false gods
of Egypt. Furthermore, when confronted by Moses he tried to rationalize
his way out of the mess by pointing his finger at everyone else.
I mean for Moses to call forth Aaron to serve
as high priest is akin to us calling someone as our senior pastor who had committed
a felony within his previous church. Most would question our sanity. Does
such a person really revere God and stand in awe of his wonderful name? Nevertheless,
God's grace and forgiveness is such that even a sinner like Aaron may be appointed
to the highest religious office in the land.
In addition to calling forth Aaron and his four
sons, Moses was commanded to call the entire community of Israel to the Tabernacle. In
reality, as you can imagine, the leaders of the various tribes had front row
seats while most gathered on the outer edges trying to catch a glimpse of what
was happening.
Nevertheless, it was important that the congregation
witness the service so that they would know that Aaron and his sons were called
to be priest by God. This is the point of all ordination services; for
in the service it is acknowledged that it is God who calls people and consecrates
them to ministry. Both the one entering the ministry and the congregation
must sense this from the beginning, otherwise the working relationship will sour
rather quickly.
The actual ceremony was carried out in six distinct
steps.
Step # 1 started when Moses brought Aaron and his sons near and washed them. The verb used in v. 6 is the ordinary word "to wash" but the act of washing with water probably signified a desire to approach the calling with a clean heart.
Next, step # 2, Moses clothed Aaron and sons with the priestly robes. The official clothing drew attention to the office as opposed to the individual personality. They emphasized the job rather than the man doing the job. Furthermore, it meets with common sense, as well as practice, that the more prestigious the office the more splendid the uniform. So in putting on the dazzling clothes of the priesthood Aaron and sons took upon the honor and glory of the office.
In step # 3 Aaron and his sons, as well as the tabernacle, were anointed with oil. (See vv. 10 - 13) Throughout the Old Testament both people and things were anointed with oil so as to consecrate them for service. That is, through the anointing of oil they were set apart for a special role in the scheme of things. Saul was anointed as was David when they were chosen to be the king of Israel. With the anointing, in regards to people, came the Spirit enabling them for leadership.
In step # 4 atonement was made on behalf on Aaron and his sons. What is interesting to note here, in vv. 14, 18, & 22, is that Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the animal being slaughtered. They were ordinary worshipers standing before Moses - the acting priest. Initially, a bull was sacrificed for the purification (sin) offering. Because if worship was to flow thorough Aaron and his sons they had to be decontaminated from the effects of sin. Second, a ram was offered as the burnt offering followed by the third offering which was a peace offering - in chapter 8 it is referred to as the ordination offering.
So that leads us to step # 5 which is the actual ordination of the priests. Moses took some of the blood from this offering and put it on the lobe of Aaron's right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. (See v. 23) The application of blood to these body parts covered what they heard, what they handled, and where they went; it meant that in all they did they were set apart by sacrificial blood.
Likewise, the garments
were sprinkled with a mixture of oil and blood to set them apart for holy
service. In short,
Aaron and his sons were ordained to have a holy lifestyle. There was
no separation between sacred and secular for, in a very real sense, they were
never off duty.
The last few verses of chapter 8 explain that
Aaron and his sons were to remain at the tabernacle for seven days repeating
the sacrifices so their ordination would be complete. According to Exodus
29:35 a bull was to be offered on each of the following six days as a purification
offering. This reminds us that defilement may happen in an instant, the
moment a bad decision is carried out, but sanctification and removal of uncleanness
is generally a slower process.
The purification offering
may have also been accompanied by the daily burnt offerings as specified
in Exodus 29:38. At
any rate, the
installation of step
#6 took a full seven days. The would-be priests
underwent this week-long rite of passage to move from one life to the
entirely new life of the priesthood. The seven day period of installation
undoubtedly impressed upon them, especially in light of Moses' words in v.
35, the importance of entering and following the ministry as obedient servants.
In chapter 9, which is day 8,Moses coaches Aaron
as he begins his first day on the job. In vv. 1 - 4 we read:
After the ordination ceremony, on the eighth day,
Moses called together Aaron and his sons and the leaders of Israel. 2 He
said to Aaron, "Take a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a whole
burnt offering, both with no physical defects, and present them to the LORD. 3
Then tell the Israelites to take a male goat for a sin offering for themselves
and a year-old calf and a year-old lamb for a whole burnt offering, each with
no physical defects. 4 Also tell them to take a bull and a ram for a
peace offering and flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering. Tell them
to present all these offerings to the LORD because the LORD will appear to
them today."
First, Aaron offered sacrifices for himself. It
is interesting to note that Aaron's purification offering for himself was a
calf as if to atone for the sin of the golden calf; and his burnt offering
was a ram which brings to mind the sacrificial ram that took the place of Isaac
in Genesis 22.
Then on behalf of the whole nation Aaron sacrificed
purification, burnt, grain, and peace offerings under the watchful eye of Moses. The
purification offering was done first to show the priority of cleansing the holy
place. Then the burnt offering made atonement for the nation so that they
were accepted by God with pleasure. The grain offering expressed their
dedication to the Lord. And the peace offering allowed them to celebrate
peace with God. The hope of doing as they were commanded was so that the
glory of God would appear. (See vv. 4 & 6)
Then, in v. 22, Aaron lifted his hands and blessed the congregation. Saying:
'May the LORD bless you
and protect you.
May the LORD smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the LORD show you his favor
and give you his peace.'3
Finally, Moses and Aaron completed the work of
intercession by going into the holy place. When they came out they blessed the congregation. Then what had been hoped for all day long happened in
the sight of everyone. In v. 24 we read:
Fire blazed forth from the LORD's presence and consumed the burnt offering
and the fat on the altar.
The glory that appeared was a manifestation of
the presence of the Lord who now dwelled in the sanctuary. Blessed assurance
was given by a gracious God.
Moses obeyed, Aaron obeyed, and everyone shouted
for joy. But two of the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu decided to be innovative. They
offered unauthorized fire. They made light of the Lord's commands and
were instantly consumed by fire.
As in Acts 5, for this is the Old Testament equivalent
of that chapter in the early life of the church, the divine judgment was immediate
and final. It had to be, for this violation came at the very beginning
of corporate worship. Without this response true worship would have deteriorated
rapidly.
In its aftermath, Aaron and his remaining two
sons were told not to mourn otherwise others may get the wrong idea about God's
nature. They were also commanded not to to drink wine or other fermented drink.4 For as priest they needed to remain clear-headed so they
could distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the
unclean.
Finally, in vv. 16 - 20, we see Aaron becoming
his own man; having the courage to make a decision on his own without first
checking things out with Moses. When Moses found out, he questioned Aaron but
walked away satisfied that Aaron made the right decision.
If chapter ten shows us anything, and it does,
it shows us that the Tabernacle and the priesthood survived its first real crisis!
1 trip•tych
(trip' tik) 1. A
hinged writing tablet consisting of three leaves, used in ancient Rome. 2. A
work consisting of three painted or carved panels that are hinged together
[<Gk. triptukhos, threefold.]
2 The four families were Jon & Harriet Askew, Elmer & Ellen
Bradley, Mike & Jewel Nothum, and Bob & Marge Stiles.
3 See Numbers 6:22 - 26.
4 This requirement that they sustain from drinking
anything that would cloud their judgment suggest to me that Nadab and Abihu
were drunk when they offered unauthorized fire.
LEVITICUS - GOD'S GUIDEBOOK
TO WORSHIP 3/26/06 1
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