Lev. 8: Moses Smears Blood on the Priests

In chapter 8, Moses essentially plays dress-up with Aaron, taking him through the entire robing and garmentifying process, and anointing him, as the LORD commanded Moses.

It is a fulfillment of what was commanded in Exodus 29.

Moses gathered up Aaron, his sons, the bull, two rams, the bread and the anointing oil and brought the who assembly together. So that the people could see who was going to offer their sacrifices.

Moses ritually washed Aaron and his sons, and clothed him in the priestly garments (Ex 39).

Then he anoints Aaron and clothes his sons (Ex 40).

A sin offering is made (Lev 4).

A burnt offering is made (Lev 1).

An ordination offering is made (Ex 29).

Starting in verse 28, it is Moses who makes the first offering in place of the priests. He wasn't dressed or anointed the way a priest should be, but consecration by God himself was probably all the ceremony he needed. It is Moses who slaughters the animals, sprinkled the blood, makes the offerings, and anoints the priests. He does all this, but I find it interesting that he doesn't eat of the sacrifice. That was for Aaron and his sons.

This ordination lasts seven days. In this week, Aaron and his sons are not to leave the Tent of Meeting, or else they would die. In this case Aaron and his sons did everything the LORD commanded through Moses.

It appears that the torch is beginning to pass.