The Priest's Preparation

Leviticus 8 is the ordination ceremony for the High Priesthood of Israel. The order is important for us to see how it applies as the Priesthood of believers.

First, Aaron and his sons are called before the congregation:
Leviticus 8:3 (ESV) And assemble all the congregation at the entrance of the tent of meeting.”

Second, they are cleansed from their outer filth

Leviticus 8:6 (ESV) And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.

Third, they are clothed in the garments made by the determination of God:

Leviticus 8:7 (ESV) And he put the coat on him and tied the sash around his waist and clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him and tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod around him, binding it to him with the band.

Fourth, they are anointed:

Leviticus 8:12 (ESV) And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him.

Fifth, they are atoned for:

Leviticus 8:14 (ESV) Then he brought the bull of the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull of the sin offering.

Sixth, they are covered in blood:

Leviticus 8:22–23 (ESV) Then he presented the other ram, the ram of ordination, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. 23 And he killed it, and Moses took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot.

Seventh, they are fed:

Leviticus 8:31 (ESV) And Moses said to Aaron and his sons, “Boil the flesh at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and there eat it and the bread that is in the basket of ordination offerings, as I commanded, saying, ‘Aaron and his sons shall eat it.’

Importantly, during the entire time of consecration, Aaron and his sons were to stay in the tent of meeting for 7 days. 

Leviticus 8:35 (ESV) At the entrance of the tent of meeting you shall remain day and night for seven days, performing what the LORD has charged, so that you do not die, for so I have been commanded.”

You can see the process in which God purifies His people for a priesthood of believers. We are called out of a normal existence and into the family of God. We are cleansed from the things of the world. They have no more hold on us. We are clothed in the garments provided by Christ. We are anointed with the Holy Spirit. We are atoned for through the sin offering. We are covered in the blood of Christ. We are then fed by the living Word of God. But it is also important for the priesthood of believers to STAY in the tent! That is, we are to abide in Christ - the true Tabernacle whereby we meet with God. 

All this happens to us through the command of God. He calls us by His Word, He announces our acceptance, deliverance and anointing. We are made new because of what He's done! You are not an average ordinary person. You have been chosen for sacred service in the purposes of God! What a privilege to be chosen and anointed for Him.

Amen.