Leviticus 7 & 8 gives more instructions about offerings and sacrifices. It also provides the narrative of the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests.
After the ordination ceremony these commands and reminders are given to Aaron and his sons by the LORD through Moses, (Lev. 8:34&35) "Everything we have done today was commanded by the LORD in order to purify you, making you right with him. Now stay at the entrance of the Tabernacle day and night for seven days, and do everything the LORD requires. If you fail to do this, you will die, for this is what the LORD commanded."
The process of purification was detailed, complex, and precise. It had to be followed exactly or there were sudden and drastic consequences. (We can see these consquences with the account of Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron in Leviticus 10). God's laws and ceremonies were deadly serious.
Really all these laws and ceremonies show us our utter ad complete need for a savior to accomplish purification and salvation for us. Humanity had no hope of ever being saved by keeping the law. It is only by faith in the all sufficient work of Jesus on the cross, that we can be made pure and made right with God. And even in OT times, it was faith in this same God and this same coming savior that saved... It was never by works or human effort.
Ephesians 2:13 says, But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
The ceremonies of cleansing were never enough to totally wash away and cleanse the blots and darkness of the sins of the priests of the old covenant. The ceremonies of cleansing had to be re-enacted and continued.
But the work of reconciliation, cleansing, and salvation by Jesus are once for all. It is all sufficient and complete. It is all we will ever need to make us right with God and to set us free from sin forever...
1 Peter 1:18-21 says,
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. (1 Peter 1:18-21 NIV84)
For that, I am eternally grateful! Praise God for his glorious gift!
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