Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

LEVITICUS- CHAPTER NINE

Verses 1-4:

The seven-day period of consecration for Aaron and his sons was ended. The time had come for their ministry to begin.

Aaron’s first offering was a Sin Offering and a Burnt Offering for himself; Then the Sin Offering, Burnt Offering, Peace Offering, and Meat Offering for the congregation of Israel.

Aaron’s Sin Offering for himself was a young bull calf. He did not offer it after the regulations in chapter 4, but in the same manner Moses had done in the service of consecration, chapter 8. The Burnt offering was of a ram, in the manner of Moses the preceding week. After he had offered his own sacrifices, he was then in a position to offer sacrifices for the people, see Heb 5:3; 7:27, 28.

Verses 5-7:

Aaron and the congregation carried out Moses’ instructions. They assembled before the tabernacle to hear what God had decreed.

"Atonement," kaphar, "to cover." Aaron must first make the required sacrifices, as a covering for his own sins. He then was in a position to make the sacrifice as a covering for the sins of the people. This is not the same "atonement" as described in chapter 16, the "Yom Kippur" or "Great Day of Atonement."

The Old Testament priesthood is in some respects a type of the priesthood of Christ. However, Jesus was not a priest after the Aaronic order, but after the "order of Melchizedek". He differed from the Aaronic order, in five ways:

1. Jesus was not of a tribal lineage of priests, but of the tribe of Judah. He did not inherit the priestly office.

2. His priestly appointment was ratified by an oath, while that of Aaron was not.

3. He had no need to offer sacrifices for His own sins, while the Aaronic priests did.

4. His offering need never be repeated, while the offerings of the Aaronic order must be made daily.

5. His priestly office does not end; He lives eternally to minister to the needs of His people.

Verses 8-14:

Aaron offered the Sin Offering and the Burnt Offering for himself. He did not at this time offer the Meat Offering. The provision that the Meat Offering must always accompany the Burnt Offering did not come until later, Nu 15:1-4.

Aaron’s sons assisted him in this sacrifice, although he was the officiating priest.

Verses 15-24:

Following the sacrifices for himself, Aaron then offered the Sin Offering, Burnt Offering, and Meat Offering for the people, after the prescribed manner of ordinances regulating these offerings.

When he had offered these sacrifices, Aaron lifted up his hand in his first priestly benediction upon the people.

The various offerings were completed. Aaron was confirmed in his office as high priest. Moses and Aaron then entered the tabernacle, Moses for his last time and Aaron for his first time, as priest.

God manifested His approval of all that had been done, by sending down fire from Heaven to consume the Burnt Offering and the fat upon the altar. This manifestation of Divine acceptance filled the people with awe. They had been standing to observe the ceremonies. When they saw the sign of God’s approval, they prostrated themselves before the Lord in deep and enthusiastic reverence.

This symbolizes the awe and reverence God’s people today should feel in His presence.