Bible Commentaries

Leviticus 8:2. The garments. See Exodus 28. where these are described. In after times the ten tribes substituted a teraphim for the ephod.

Leviticus 8:6. Moses washed them with water. Moses acts in this instance in the double capacity of priest and king. He consecrates Aaron and his four sons to the Lord, by a continual purification for seven days. He first washes them with water, then sprinkles them with the blood of the sin-offering, and afterwards anoints them with the holy oil. This action is celebrated in Psalms 99:6, where Moses and Aaron are said to be among the Lord’s priests.

Leviticus 8:31. Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle. The Septuagint reads, Boil the flesh in the court of the tabernacle. This appears the true reading, as Aaron and his sons could not go out of the court for seven days. The caldron probably stood near the door.

REFLECTIONS.

The Lord having provided a gradation of burnt-offerings for sin, and peace-offerings for plenty, next sanctified the men he had chosen for the service of the sanctuary; and in this priesthood we see the mediatorial glory of the Son of God. His humanity was without spot or blemish; his church and people he washes, and makes them whiter than snow; and being called to the marriage supper of the Lamb, he betroths them in righteousness. See him crowned with glory and honour. See his ephod, or girdle of strength and beauty. See him arrayed in fine linen, clean and white. See his breastplate, with the Urim and Thummim of judgment, joined with the brightness of his countenance, filling all heaven with ineffable glory, and transporting its blessed inhabitants with unutterable delight. May I fall, with all my sins and unworthiness, at the feet of this merciful and faithful Highpriest.

Christian ministers especially may learn instruction from the priesthood of Aaron. They must be divinely called of God to their work, and washed from every spot of sin. The head, the hand, the foot must be touched with the atoning blood, which takes away our sins. The ear, that they may listen to the law; their right hand, that they may maintain it; their right foot, that they may walk according to it. If they are maimed in conduct and character, all the people will look at their defects, instead of admiring the beauty of the Lord.

They must be arrayed in fine linen, must make their garments white in the blood of the Lamb. The breastplate of righteousness, the Urim of wisdom must characterize their functions. They must also be anointed with oil, as well as washed in the regeneration, and sprinkled with blood. This anointing is no other than the Holy Ghost enlightening their minds, sanctifying their affections, and crowning their private studies and public labours with the unction and odour of God. No man can act for God without this unction. When this is enjoyed, the word reaches the hearts of his hearers; the anointing descends to the skirts of his garments, till the whole assembly is perfumed with cassia and myrrh. But the gospel freezes on the lips of an unregenerate man.

The consecration was to be in the presence of the whole congregation; the elders, heads of houses, and others. The priests were to be their ministers; and the consent and prayers of the people were a great addition of glory to the work. The ordaining of men in secret, without the approbation and good wishes of the people, has never been found a safe way for the church.

Their consecration was preseded by seven days of retirement and recollection. And it really requires some time for a young man to reflect, whether sincerely believing in God and the world to come, as promised by Christ, he can devote his whole life to the glory and service of the sanctuary.

The whole of these particulars the priests were to observe, lest they should be struck dead; as was presently the case with Nadab and Abihu. Christ has died for sinners; and all sin worketh death; consequently no men are in more danger of losing their souls, than those who do the work of the Lord deceitfully. And all believers being called in some sort to be a nation of kings and priests unto God, what manner of persons should they be in all holy conversation and godliness!