Levítico 8

Levítico 8

Trapp - Ministers are to be ordained in the public assembly, {Acts 14:22} that the people may show their approbation, profess their purpose of obedience, and pray for God’s Spirit to be poured upon them. Congregation (05712) ('edah) is found 149x in the OT and most often describes an assembly and here translated in Lxx with synagoge (BDAG = "gathering place", later described the Jewish synagogue, which did not exist at this time). This ceremony was not to be performed in secret like many cults who perform secret "initiation rites." Gaebelein has an interesting comment on all the congregation - The voice of Jehovah spoke again, commanding that Aaron and his sons should now be taken and be consecrated. The ceremony took place “at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” The entire congregation of Israel was gathered together to witness the event. This statement has been severely attacked by the critics, who reject this report as untrustworthy inasmuch as a congregation of several millions could hardly have gathered at the door of the tabernacle. For this reason the critics have branded the account as legendary. “But, surely, if the words are to be taken in the ultra-literal sense required in order to make out this difficulty, the impossibility must have been equally evident to the supposed fabricator of the fiction; and it is yet more absurd to suppose that he should ever have intended his words to be pressed to such a rigid literality” (S H Kellogg - Leviticus 8:1-36 The Consecration of Aaron). But the words do not necessarily mean that every individual was present at the door of the tabernacle and all remained there for the entire seven days of ceremonial observance. Perhaps only the representatives of the tribes were called to witness all that was done; these appointed leaders represented the whole assembly of Israel. All was carried out according to the divine command. Not less than twelve times is reference made to this fact in the eighth chapter. It was all according to divine appointment. Aaron was called of God to this office, and in this he was a type of Christ in His office-work as priest. “And no man takes this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high priest, but He that said unto Him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee” (Hebrews 5:4-5-note). As Aaron and his work was appointed by God, so the work of our Lord in connection with sin. Aaron did “all the things which the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses,” and Christ completely did the will of Him that sent Him (Lk 22:42). That blessed will is foreshadowed in the priestly office and the priestly work. (Leviticus 8 Commentary) Tent of meeting - see discussion in Lev 1:3. Leviticus 8:4 So Moses did just as the LORD commanded him. When the congregation was assembled at the doorway of the tent of meeting, Moses adorns the priests: Lev 8:9,13,17,29,35 Ex 39:1,5,7,21,26,29,31,32,42,43 Dt 12:32 Mt 28:20 1Co 11:23 1Cor 15:3 Leviticus 8 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries So Moses did just as the LORD commanded him (same phrase occurs 16x in this section on the Priesthood - Lev 8-10 = Lev 8:4, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 29, 34, 36; 9:6, 7, 10, 21; 10:7, 13, 15) - Complete obedience by the servant of Jehovah (Dt 34:5). "So Moses did" sounds so simple, so easy, but there were more than a million Israelites to be assembled, so this was not a simple task. It would have been easy for Moses to reply "There are too many to assemble." Moses' faithfulness (Heb 3:1-6-note) to carry out Jehovah's commands to the letter is a testimony to all of God's leaders and stands in stark contrast to the debacle of Nadab and Abihu who carried out something "which He had not commanded them." (Lev 10:1) Harrison - It is important to notice the position of Moses in relation to God’s activities here. Although he functioned as a servant, Moses was still in charge of the household of God (Num. 12:7; Heb. 3:2), and thus he parallels the obedience and fidelity of Christ, who also became a servant (Phil 2:7) in order to mediate the new covenant. (Ibid) The LORD commanded - God was serious about following these commands to the letter, Moses recording "Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it." (Dt 12:32) Commanded (20x in Lev 8-10) - Lev 8:4, 8:5, Lev 8:9, Lev 8:13, Lev 8:17, Lev 8:21, Lev 8:29, Lev 8:31, Lev 8:34, Lev 8:35, Lev 8:36, Lev 9:5, Lev 9:6, Lev 9:7, Lev 9:10, Lev 9:21, Lev 10:1, Lev 10:13, Lev 10:15, Lev 10:18