Leviticus 9

Leviticus 9 describes the beginning of Aaron and his sons' priestly ministry after being consecrated. It is the day when they offer sacrifices for themselves and the people. The chapter emphasizes God’s acceptance of the offerings and His visible approval through the manifestation of His glory. This chapter showcases the importance of following God’s instructions carefully in worship and sacrifice, as well as His desire to dwell among His people.

Leviticus 9:1-3 (NKJV)
1 It came to pass on the eighth day that Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel.
2 And he said to Aaron, “Take for yourself a young bull as a sin offering and a ram as a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the Lord.
3 And to the children of Israel you shall speak, saying, ‘Take a kid of the goats as a sin offering, and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, as a burnt offering.'"

Aaron and his sons are ready to begin their ministry as priests. Moses gives them specific instructions regarding the offerings to be presented before the Lord. Aaron must offer a young bull as a sin offering and a ram as a burnt offering to atone for his own sins before making offerings on behalf of the people. The people are also instructed to bring a sin offering and a burnt offering. This reflects the principle that even the priests must first be cleansed of their sins before they can intercede for the people.

Leviticus 9:4 (NKJV)
4 “Also a bull and a ram as peace offerings, to sacrifice before the Lord, and a grain offering mixed with oil; for today the Lord will appear to you.”

The peace offerings and the grain offering signify the people's fellowship with God and their thanksgiving for His blessings. The promise that the Lord will appear to them shows that these sacrifices are meant to culminate in a divine revelation of God’s glory. This appearance of God underscores the importance of proper worship and obedience to His commands.

Leviticus 9:5-7 (NKJV)
5 So they brought what Moses commanded before the tabernacle of meeting. And all the congregation drew near and stood before the Lord.
6 Then Moses said, “This is the thing which the Lord commanded you to do, and the glory of the Lord will appear to you.”
7 And Moses said to Aaron, “Go to the altar, offer your sin offering and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself and for the people. Offer the offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as the Lord commanded.”

The people obediently bring the offerings as commanded by Moses, and they gather at the entrance of the tabernacle, eagerly anticipating the appearance of the Lord’s glory. Moses reminds them that God’s revelation is tied to their faithful observance of His commands. Aaron is instructed to offer the sacrifices, starting with his own sin offering, before making atonement for the people. This reiterates the need for purification, even for the high priest, before he can mediate between God and the people.

Leviticus 9:8-11 (NKJV)
8 Aaron therefore went to the altar and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.
9 Then the sons of Aaron brought the blood to him. And he dipped his finger in the blood, put it on the horns of the altar, and poured the blood at the base of the altar.
10 But the fat, the kidneys, and the fatty lobe from the liver of the sin offering he burned on the altar, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
11 The flesh and the hide he burned with fire outside the camp.

Aaron follows the detailed procedures for offering the sin sacrifice. The blood of the calf, symbolizing life, is applied to the altar to make atonement. Burning the fat and specific organs on the altar reflects the offering of the best parts to God. The flesh and hide, representing the sinful nature of the offering, are burned outside the camp, showing the removal of sin from the presence of God and the people.

Leviticus 9:12-14 (NKJV)
12 And he killed the burnt offering; and Aaron’s sons presented to him the blood, which he sprinkled all around on the altar.
13 Then they presented the burnt offering to him, with its pieces and head, and he burned them on the altar.
14 And he washed the entrails and the legs, and burned them with the burnt offering on the altar.

Aaron now offers the burnt offering, symbolizing complete dedication to God. The blood is again sprinkled around the altar, signifying purification. The whole animal is burned, demonstrating total surrender to God. Washing the entrails and legs before burning them indicates the need for internal purity in worship and offering.

Leviticus 9:15 (NKJV)
15 Then he brought the people’s offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and killed it and offered it for sin, like the first one.

After atoning for his own sins, Aaron offers the people's sin offering. The goat symbolizes the removal of the people's sins, and the offering follows the same procedure as Aaron’s sin offering. This demonstrates that both the priest and the people must be cleansed of sin in order for their relationship with God to be restored.

Leviticus 9:16-17 (NKJV)
16 And he brought the burnt offering and offered it according to the prescribed manner.
17 Then he brought the grain offering, took a handful of it, and burned it on the altar, besides the burnt sacrifice of the morning.

Aaron now offers the people’s burnt offering, symbolizing their total dedication to God. The grain offering, mixed with oil, represents thanksgiving and recognition of God’s provision. Burning it on the altar alongside the morning sacrifice emphasizes continuous and faithful worship of the Lord.

Leviticus 9:18-21 (NKJV)
18 He also killed the bull and the ram as sacrifices of peace offerings, which were for the people. And Aaron’s sons presented to him the blood, which he sprinkled all around on the altar,
19 and the fat from the bull and the ram—the fatty tail, what covers the entrails and the kidneys, and the fatty lobe attached to the liver;
20 and they put the fat on the breasts. Then he burned the fat on the altar;
21 but the breasts and the right thigh Aaron waved as a wave offering before the Lord, as Moses had commanded.

Aaron now offers the peace offerings for the people. The peace offering symbolizes fellowship and communion with God. The sprinkling of the blood around the altar signifies purification, while the burning of the fat, considered the best part, is offered to the Lord. The wave offering, where parts of the animal are ceremonially presented before the Lord, shows the dedication of the people's gifts to God and their gratitude for His blessings.

Leviticus 9:22 (NKJV)
22 Then Aaron lifted his hand toward the people, blessed them, and came down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and peace offerings.

After completing the sacrifices, Aaron blesses the people. This blessing marks the conclusion of the sacrificial rites and signifies God's acceptance of the people’s offerings. Aaron's role as high priest includes interceding for the people and pronouncing God's favor upon them.

Leviticus 9:23-24 (NKJV)
23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of meeting, and came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people,
24 and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

After Aaron blesses the people, Moses and Aaron enter the tabernacle, symbolizing their communion with God. When they emerge, they bless the people again, and God’s glory visibly appears in the form of fire consuming the offerings. This supernatural fire confirms that God has accepted the sacrifices. The people's response of shouting and falling on their faces shows their reverence, awe, and recognition of God's powerful presence among them.