Consecrated!

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July 19, 2009

Lesson: Leviticus 8:1-13

Key Verse: Leviticus 8:12

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Introduction

Moses, according to the commandment of God, “poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him to sanctify him” (Lev. 8:12). The “anointing oil” was “designed to intimate that persons who acted as leaders in the solemn services of worship should have the unction of the Holy One both of his gifts and graces” (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown, Comm.). It is the Holy Spirit who ordains his officers in the Body of Christ, the Church. The anointing of the offices in the midst of the congregation is recognition of the fact that they are of Christ, manifesting the gifts and graces given him of Christ the King.

The Westminster Confession of Faith (30, Of Church Censures) teaches that “The Lord Jesus, as King and Head of His Church, hath therein appointed a government, in the hand of Church officers, distinct from the civil magistrate. To these officers, the keys of the kingdom of heaven are committed: by virtue whereof, they have power respectively to retain, and remit sins; to shut that kingdom against the impenitent, both by the Word and measures; and to open it unto penitent sinners, by the ministry of the gospel, and by absolution from censures, as occasion shall require.” Jesus spoke to his disciples, saying, “Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained” (John 20:21-23). The actions of those whom the Lord has chosen to be his officers in his Church are of solemn obedience to the Spirit of God, by his Word.

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Before the Congregation –Leviticus 8:1-4

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and a bullock for the sin offering, and two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread; and gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” Matthew Henry develops the following to help us understand the appointment of  Aaron and his sons as active priests: “The tabernacle was newly set up, which, without the priests, would be as a candlestick without a candle; the law concerning sacrifices was newly given, but could not be observed without priests; for, though Aaron and his sons had been nominated to the office, they could not officiate, till they were consecrated, which yet must not be done till the place of their ministration was prepared, and the ordinances were instituted, that they might apply themselves to work as soon as ever they were consecrated, and might know that they were ordained, not only to the honour and profit, but to the business of the priesthood.”

Moses obeyed the voice of the Lord and “did as the Lord commanded him; and the assembly was gathered unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” The Tabernacle was glorified by the appointment of the Aaron and his sons as priests. The Church is the Body of Christ in which the Spirit sets apart officers, i.e. under-shepherds, to serve Christ in caring for the sheep of our Lord’s pasture. The ordination process of his officers is to take place in the midst of the congregation. The congregation may vote with a loud ‘Aye’; but it is a vote of confidence of what our Lord is doing. Those who have been chosen of the Lord to serve in his Body are to be faithful in the Word and Gospel, faithful to the King and Head of the Church. Therefore, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward” (1 Tim. 5:17-18).

Discussion: How are those who are appointed by the Lord to be officers, to be received and encouraged?

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The Lord has Commanded – Leviticus 8:5-9

Moses speaks to the congregation, “This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done.” Committees are formed that man may see that things be done. Whether they be of the Lord or not is to be seen in their obedience to the Word of the Lord. It is the Triune God who alone that can take counsel, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that all things will be done right and true, to the glory of the Godhead. Obedience should be at the forefront of our response to the Word of God, both in thought and action. It is the Lord who commands what should be done in the Church he has brought into existence by the sacrifice of the Son. Frustration comes when we see that the local church is not growing or witnessing, with the tendency to find ways of our own making, rather than first asking, What is it that the Lord has commanded?

Moses brings Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. And he put upon Aaron “the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith. And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummin. And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the Lord commanded Moses.” The following commentary sums up the meaning of the vestments: “The splendour of the official vestments, together with the gorgeous tiara of the high priest, was intended doubtless, in the first instance, to produce in the minds of the people a high respect for the ministers of religion; and in the next, from the predominant use of linen, to inculcate upon unspotted righteousness in their characters and lives” (Jamieson).

Those who minister as Teaching and Ruling Elders in the Church of our Lord bear not the outward signs of righteousness, but the inward work of the Spirit whereby we bear the righteousness of Christ. Our service for the King must reveal his righteousness, and his glory, as he has revealed to us in his Scriptures. Thus we preach the Gospel of Christ, being made “strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might … Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness” (Eph. 6:10, 14).

Discussion: Why is their strength in the knowledge that it is God commands what is to be done within his Church?

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The Anointment –Leviticus 8:10-13

Moses takes “the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them. And he sprinkled thereof the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them. And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and appointed him, to sanctify him. And Moses brought Aaron’s sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the Lord commanded Moses.” Aaron was set apart by the Lord God to serve him in the Tabernacle. In the Tabernacle sacrifices would be set upon the altar for the sins of the people. The priests would nurture the people’s need that they would be right with their Creator and willing servants in their homes and work. We do not anoint the pulpits of the congregations, but we do demand that those who have been anointed by the Lord to preach the Gospel, that they be faithful in their testimony of the Scriptures, that we might see Jesus. “Aaron and his sons were washed with water to signify that they ought now to purify themselves from all sinful dispositions and inclinations, and ever after to keep themselves pure. Christ washes those from their sins in his own blood whom he makes to our God kings and priests (Rev. 1:5-6); and those that draw near to God must be washed in pure water (Heb. 10:22). Though they were ever so clean before and no filth was to be seen upon them, yet they must be washed, to signify their purification from sin, with which their souls were polluted, how clean so ever their bodies were. They were clothed with the holy garments, Aaron with his, which typified the dignity of Christ our great high priest, and his sons with theirs, which typified the decency of Christians, who are spiritual priests” (M. Henry).

Discussion: What does the anointment of Christ’s servants mean for the growth and witness of his Church?