February 18th

Leviticus 7:1-8:36

We joined the Israelites in witnessing the ceremony of ordination for Aaron and his sons, who were chosen to be the priests of Israel. The purpose of the ordination was to consecrate (make sacred) and dedicate them, to set them apart to do the work of the Tabernacle. From this point on, they and their descendants would tend to its details and oversee the sacrificial system.

Did you notice how elaborate the ceremony was? First, Moses washed them with water and, then, dressed them in their holy attire, which included the tunic, sashes, robe, ephod (vest), chest piece (with the lots, Urim and Thummim), and turban. Second, Moses anointed the priests with oil. Third, he slaughtered a bull after Aaron and his sons put their hands on it; he did the same with two rams. One of the rams he sacrificed; the other ram was used to ordain the priests. Moses took some of its blood and put it on their right ears, right thumbs, and big toes on their right foot.

Next, Moses offered unleavened bread for the priests. Then, he sprinkled oil on the priests clothing, to make them holy. Finally, the priests were required to stay in the Tabernacle courtyard for seven days. They could not leave at any time, and they had to do everything that the Lord required.

Why did these men have to endure such a de- tailed ceremony in order to serve in this capacity? Simple, they were sinful, yet they would be representing the people before the Lord, mediating for them to remove their sins. As mediators, their sins could not be a deterrent or else the sacrifices meant nothing. For the Lord to honor the sin sacrifices, the priests themselves had to be honorable; thus, in order to be honorable, the Lord required this elaborate ordination. Imagine the pressure these men felt, knowing that they would be held accountable for such a heavy responsibility.

These priests were a type of Christ, He who would be the final Mediator between us and the Lord. He was our Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14). However, the difference between Christ and the Old Testament priests is significant. The most important difference perhaps is that the priests that were described in Leviticus were flawed men, sinners who constantly had to sacrifice for their own failures.

Christ, on the other hand, was sinless and needed no such ordination to make Him holy for service. Because of His perfection, His mediation is perfect; and, because His mediation is perfect, you and I, whom He represents to God the Father, can have confidence to approach and stand before Him!

Daily Reflection

Imagine that you were the one ordained that day to represent the people before a holy God. Consider all of your sins and shortcomings. It doesn’t take long to realize that your mediation would be an utter failure.

So then, thank the Lord today for sending Christ, the Perfect Priest, to reconcile you to a holy God. You did nothing to receive such grace, and yet Christ has done everything necessary to make you right with God.

“The former priests existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:23-25).

BiAY.org | Day 49 — 316 Days to Go