Meaning of Leviticus 9:7

This verse from Leviticus 9:7 highlights a pivotal moment in the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests, marking the inauguration of the Levitical sacrificial system. Moses, acting as God's intermediary, instructs Aaron to approach the altar and perform the prescribed offerings. The emphasis is on both personal atonement for Aaron (as a representative of the priesthood) and for the entire Israelite community. This act is not merely ceremonial but a divinely ordained process for reconciliation, demonstrating the holiness of God and the need for mediation between the sacred and the sinful. The specific mention of "sin offering" and "burnt offering" underscores the dual nature of sacrifice: the sin offering deals with transgression and impurity, while the burnt offering signifies complete devotion and consecration to God. The command to "make atonement" is central, signifying the covering or expiation of sin, a concept that resonates throughout the Old and New Testaments.

Context and Background

Leviticus 9 occurs immediately after the extensive instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and the ordination of the Levitical priesthood in chapters 1-8. The preceding chapters meticulously detail the various offerings and the consecration rituals for Aaron and his sons. Leviticus 8 culminates in the seven-day consecration period, during which Aaron and his sons performed sacrifices and were purified. Leviticus 9 marks the first official priestly service after this period of preparation. Moses, having been directly commissioned by God on Mount Sinai, is the authority figure guiding Aaron, who is now designated as the High Priest. The people of Israel are gathered, observing this momentous occasion, as the divine presence is about to manifest in a tangible way.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Mandate and Obedience: The verse clearly emphasizes that these actions are performed "as the Lord has commanded." This underscores the principle that worship and atonement are not human inventions but are instituted by God and require strict adherence to His instructions.
• Atonement for Sin: The primary purpose of the sin offering and the subsequent atonement is to address the sinfulness of both the priests and the people. Sin creates a barrier between humanity and a holy God, and atonement is the divine provision for bridging that gap.
• Priesthood as Mediator: Aaron, as the High Priest, is acting as a mediator. He offers sacrifices first for himself and then for the people, highlighting the responsibility and the inherent need for the mediator themselves to be in right standing with God.
• Holiness and Purity: The sacrificial system, as illustrated here, is intrinsically linked to the concept of holiness. God's holiness demands purity, and the sacrifices are designed to impart a measure of that purity to the worshipper.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse foreshadows the ultimate atonement provided by Jesus Christ. Aaron's role as High Priest and his offerings point to Christ's perfect and final sacrifice. The sin offering illustrates the need for a propitiatory sacrifice to cover sin, which Christ accomplished on the cross. The burnt offering signifies Christ's complete surrender and devotion to the Father's will. For believers today, this passage highlights the foundational truth that reconciliation with God is only possible through a divinely appointed mediator and a sacrificial offering that addresses sin. It reminds us of our own sinfulness and the ongoing need for God's grace and forgiveness, which are fully realized in Christ.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Leviticus 9 is a crucial link in the unfolding narrative of God's redemptive plan. It establishes the framework for worship and atonement within the Old Covenant, demonstrating God's desire for fellowship with His people despite their sin. This sacrificial system, while temporary and imperfect, serves as a tangible representation of the spiritual realities that would be fully realized in the New Covenant. The concept of atonement established here finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament, particularly in the Epistle to the Hebrews, which extensively explains Christ's superior priesthood and sacrifice.

Analogies

One analogy for this verse is a bridge builder. Just as a skilled engineer designs and constructs a bridge to span a dangerous chasm, allowing safe passage, God designed the sacrificial system, with Aaron as the first designated builder, to bridge the chasm of sin separating humanity from Him. The offerings are the materials, and the command is the blueprint. Another analogy is a medical procedure. Just as a surgeon performs a necessary operation to remove disease and restore health, the sin offering and burnt offering were divinely prescribed "procedures" to cleanse and restore the people's relationship with God, removing the "disease" of sin.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 29:10-14: This passage details the specific instructions for the sin offering and burnt offering that Aaron was to present during his ordination, providing the direct precursor to the actions described in Leviticus 9:7.
• Hebrews 7:26-27: This New Testament passage contrasts the Levitical priesthood with Christ's priesthood, stating, "For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily for his own sins, and then for those of the people, because he did this once for all when he offered up himself." This highlights how Aaron's offerings were a foreshadowing of Christ's singular, perfect sacrifice.
• Romans 5:8-11: This verse speaks of reconciliation with God through Christ's death: "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life." This echoes the concept of atonement initiated in Leviticus.