As the Lord Commands

Leviticus 8

• In the Old Testament, God’s people had priests but in the New Testament God’s people are priests I Peter 2:5, 9, Revelation 1:5-6

• The failure of the nation of Israel was the failure of her spiritual leaders Lamentations 4:13

• God’s leaders were doing their own thing and God’s people loved it that way Jeremiah 5:31

• Moses was to do everything the way God wanted it done and God showed Moses the model or pattern while he was on the mount Exodus 25:40, 26:30, 27:8, Hebrews 8:5

• We need to design church and worship around what He says and wants not around our own preferences and desires

1. A very public ceremony when a man is set aside for the Lord’s ministry 8:1-4

2. These men would be ministering unto the Lord Exodus 28:1, 3-4, 41

3. They would be taken from among the regular people Exodus 28:1

4. They were set aside to God but in the presence of God’s people 8:3

5. It was to be obvious that this was God’s will 8:4

6. The same thing happens in the New Testament--God’s people witness that it is the Holy Spirit Acts 13:1-3

7. Timothy had a good testimony among the brethren Acts 16:2

8. Hands were laid on Timothy by the presbytery (pastoral, elder council) I Timothy 4:14

9. Apparently, the man was serving God here though he also served the people

1. Washing comes before serving 8:6

2. The priests were bathed just once when they began their service after this they only had to wash their hands and feet Exodus 30:17-21

3. When we get saved we are washed but in the blood of Jesus Revelation 1:5-6, I Corinthians 6:9-11

4. After salvation, we need only wash our feet or keep our sins confessed John 13:1-10

5. Time in the Word of God brings washing or cleansing

6. Cleansing our way Psalm 119:9

7. We get clean through the Word John 15:3

8. The washing of water of the Word Ephesians 5:25-27

9. As we look at Jesus we will be changed II Corinthians 3:18

1. The servant, Aaron--the high priest, must be clothed correctly 8:7-9, 13

2. All priests wore special undergarments that were to cover their nakedness--like long shorts Exodus 28:42-43

3. The high priest wore very special clothing

4. He had the Urim and the Thummim on his breastplate--it seems that they were used to find God’s direction 8:8

5. He had stones that represented every tribe on his breastplate Exodus 28:29

6. He had the words Holiness to the Lord Exodus 28:36

7. When we got saved we also had a change of clothing

8. Our own righteousness was as filthy rags Isaiah 64:6

9. We are now the righteousness of God in Him II Corinthians 5:21

10. He clothes us with new clothes Zechariah 3:4

11. Though the regular priests didn't wear the fancy clothing of the high priests they were still dressed as the Lord commanded Romans 13:14

1. The anointing; God’s place and God’s man were anointed 8:10-12

2. Anointed with a unique oil Exodus 30:22-33

3. They were not make any oil like this for any other reason Exodus 30:32

4. The oil was a symbol of the Holy Spirit

5. This oil set them apart and limited their activities 10:7, 21:12

1. Special sacrifices or offerings were made 8:14-29

2. The sin offering cleanses their sin 8:14-17

3. The burnt offering symbolizes their total dedication to the Lord 8:18-21

4. The fellowship offering symbolizes their communion with the Lord and each other

5. The ram of consecration is sacrificed 8:22-29

6. Blood is put on the right ear, thumb, and big toe 8:24

7. They are set apart to hear God's voice, do God’s work, and walk-in God’s ways

1. Seven days of sacrificing 8:30-36

2. Moses anoints Aaron, the garments, his sons, and his son’s garments 8:30

3. They eat the ram of consecration leaving done until the next day 7:15-16

4. They stay 7 days 8:35

5. If they leave they die

6. It was a serious thing to be the man of God!

1. Applications for us

2. We ought to do church like the Bible says and not by public vote

3. God has set aside special men and women for special service

4. We should take seriously the fact that God has called all of us priests

5. We should take seriously what the Bible teaches

6. We must constantly pray for God’s anointing on our church, our services, and our men of God