Leviticus 9

Leviticus 9:1-7

Aaron and his sons immediately enter upon the execution of their office. 1. Moses (no doubt by a direction from God) appoints a meeting between God and his priests, and the representatives of his people, offering them that he would appear to them, ver. 1-7. 2. They meet according to the appointment. (1.) Aaron offers a sin-offering and a burnt-offering for himself, ver. 8-14. and then the offerings for the people, whom he helped in the name of the Lord, ver. 15-22. (2.) God signifies his acceptance. 1. Of their persons, by flaming them his glory, ver. 23. 2. Of their sacrifices, by consuming them with fire from heaven, ver. 24.

a Ibid. 1. AND ‘it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel: 2. And he said unto Aaron, ‘Take thee a young calf for a sin-offering, and ‘a ram for a burnt-offering, without blemish, and offer them before the LORD. 3. And unto the children of Israel thou shalt

speak, saying, ‘Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin-offering, and a calf, and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt-offering. 4. Also a bullock and a ram, for peace-offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat-offering mingled with oil: for ’to day the LORD will appear unto you. 5. ¶ And they brought that which Moses commanded before the tabernacle of the congregation: and all the congregation drew near and stood before the LORD. 6. And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you. 7. And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and ‘offer thy sin-offering, and thy burnt-offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded.

They who are ordained for the service of the ministry, must know no idleness. We, to the Summerting Shepherds! Aaron and his sons must immediately, on their consecration, enter on the service.

1. They must begin the work of sacrificing. As their own sin would be their first concern, a calf of atonement is ordered, and a ram for a burnt-offering. To save ourselves, will melt enable us to save those who hear us: the people also are enjoined to bring their offering to Aaron, that he may offer it up, as an atonement for them. Note. It is among the deepest concerns of a faithful minister, to bring the people committed to his care into a state of reconciliation with God.

2. God promises to manifest an especial display of his glory to them, as a token of his good pleasure towards them. Note. (1.) When we go forth to the work of the ministry, under a divine call, God will sensibly own our labours to our unspeakable comfort. (2.) When God’s people allomish in his worship, they shall see his glory. He will manifest himself to them, as he doth not to the world.

3. ¶ Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and flew the calf of the sin-offering, which was for himself. 9. And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipt his finger in the blood, and ‘put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar. 10. And the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin-offering he burnt upon the altar; ‘as the LORD commanded Moses. 11. And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp. 12. And he flew the burnt-offering, and Aaron’s sons presented unto him the blood which he sprinkled round about upon the altar. 13. And they presented the burnt-offering unto him, with the pieces thereof, and the head, and he burnt them upon the altar. 14. And he did wash the inwards, and the legs, and burnt them upon the burnt-offering on the altar. 15. ¶ And he brought the people’s offering, and took the goat which was the sin-offering for the people, and flew it, and offered it for sin, as the first. 16. And he brought the burnt-offering, and offered it according to the manner. 17. And he brought the meat-offering, and ’took a handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar,’ beside the burnt-facrifice of the morning. 18. He flew also the bullock and the ram, for a sacrifice of peace-offerings, which was for the people; and Aaron’s sons presented unto him the blood (which he sprinkled upon the altar round about.) 19. And the fat of the bullock, and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth the inwards, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver. 20. And they put the fat upon the breath, and he burnt the fat upon the altar. 21. And the breath and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave-offering, before the LORD; as Moses commanded. 22. And Aaron lift up his hand towards the people, and ‘blessed them: and came down from offering of the sin-offering, and the burnt-offering, and peace-offerings.

Leviticus 9:8-22

Aaron here begins his ministrations, and offers the several different kinds of sacrifice, according to the commandment of the Lord. Note. In all our ministrations, we must make his word our rule.—The daily burnt sacrifice was offered, besides these extraordinary ones. Our stated seasons of worship must never be neglected, because of any extraordinary services or business. When the whole was finished, he, as high-priest on God’s behalf, gave his benediction to the people. Where

23. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. 24. And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt-off, forging, and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

Leviticus 9:23

24. Moses goes with Aaron into the tabernacle, whether to pray for the promised manifestation of the divine glory, or to instruct him in the service. At their return, they join in their benedictions upon the people who waited at the door of the tabernacle, and God sealed the blessing. 1. By a visible display of his glory from the holy place. We are not told the memory, but probably in some august appearance, like the fiery pillar which filled the sanctuary the day it was set up. Note, It is good not to be weary of waiting upon God; a glimpse of his glory, if but at parting, will amply repay our attendance. 2. There came a fire out from before the Lord, (from the appearance of his glory it should form) and consumed the sacrifice; most probably the evening sacrifice now ready to be offered, with the fat of the peace-offerings that were to be burnt upon it. A gracious token of God’s acceptance of their offerings, and of his constant benediction on those who brought the sacrifices to that altar, the fire of which now kindled by him, was never permitted to go out. Note, (1.) The fire of God’s spirit in our heart, must kindle up unquenchable love, and consume our vile affections. (2.) Unless he gives the holy fire of grace, none of our services can please him. (3.) If it be kindled, we must support it with the daily fuel of the word, meditation and prayer. 3. The people, with holy joy and reverential awe, shout and fall prostrate before the Lord. Note, (1.) It is matter of great triumph to experience God’s sensible presence with our souls. (2.) The more we taste of God’s love, the more humble it will make us.