The Law · Chapter 9 of 27

Leviticus 9

On the eighth day, the newly ordained priesthood begins its work. Aaron offers a sin offering and burnt offering for himself, then the people's offerings, following every instruction. He blesses the people, and with Moses enters and comes out of the tent. Then the glory of the LORD appears to all, and fire comes out from before God to consume the offering, and the people shout and fall on their faces.

What happens in Leviticus 9

The seven days of ordination complete, the eighth day arrives and Aaron takes up his ministry. Moses tells him that if he does exactly as commanded, today the LORD will appear unto you. Aaron approaches the altar and offers a calf as a sin offering and a ram as a burnt offering for himself, then presents the people's offerings: a goat for sin, a calf and lamb for a burnt offering, an ox and ram for peace offerings, and a grain offering.

He handles the blood and fat as prescribed. Then Aaron lifts his hands and blesses the people. He and Moses enter the tent, come out, and bless the people together, and the glory of the LORD appears to everyone. Fire bursts out from the LORD and consumes the offering on the altar. Seeing it, all the people shout for joy and fall facedown.

Leviticus 9 in context

This is the climax of the whole opening section: the sacrificial system and priesthood are inaugurated, and God visibly accepts them. The eighth day, following the seven of consecration, marks a new beginning. Everything Exodus and Leviticus have built toward, a way for a holy God to dwell among His people, is confirmed when His glory appears and His fire falls.

Worship done God's way ends in His manifest presence.

Main themes of Leviticus 9

Leviticus 9 (KJV)

1And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel; 2And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the LORD. 3And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering; 4Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day the LORD will appear unto you. 5And they brought that which Moses commanded before the tabernacle of the congregation: and all the congregation drew near and stood before the LORD. 6And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you. 7And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded. 8Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself. 9And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar: 10But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses. 11And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp. 12And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron’s sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar. 13And they presented the burnt offering unto him, with the pieces thereof, and the head: and he burnt them upon the altar. 14And he did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt them upon the burnt offering on the altar. 15And he brought the people’s offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first. 16And he brought the burnt offering, and offered it according to the manner. 17And he brought the meat offering, and took an handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning. 18He slew also the bullock and the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron’s sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar round about, 19And the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth the inwards, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver: 20And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar: 21And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded. 22And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. 23And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. 24And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

Verses to carry from Leviticus 9

“And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you.”Leviticus 9:6

“And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.”Leviticus 9:22

“And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.”Leviticus 9:24

Reflection

Everything in these chapters was preparing for one moment: the glory of God appearing to His people. The lesson is that God's presence is the point of it all. Worship is not an end in itself but the door He opens to Himself. When we come His way, we too may find that the goal of all our seeking is simply Him.

A prayer from Leviticus 9