Praise the Lord Jesus Christ, please study this chapter and then answer all 62 questions at the end of this chapter.

Leviticus Chapter 9

Verses 1-24: This chapter relates the inauguration of the tabernacle service. Aaron first offered a “young calf for a sin offering” and “a ram for a burnt offering” for himself. He had already been washed, clothed, and anointed for service. Thus, it might seem surprising that he is so soon to offer up a sin offering. Yet this is a reminder of our need of daily cleansing from sin due to its defilement. The “young calf” was unique; for no other person at any time was such a sacrifice needed. It is possible that the connection is with his preparing a golden calf (in Exodus chapter 32). The burnt offering symbolized his need for consecration wholly to God. For the people in addition to a sin offering and a burnt offering, there were to be presented a “meat” [grain] “offering” and “a sacrifice of peace offerings”. The “grain offering” symbolized the consecration to God of the fruit of one’s labor. It indicated that all of their toil or activities should be dedicated to God. And the “peace offerings” conveyed the concept of fellowship and communion with God.

Leviticus 9:1 ” And it came to pass on the eighth day, [that] Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;”

When the seven days of consecration were ended, as Ben Gersom. The day following them, so soon was Aaron called to the execution of his office. And so, both the Targum of Jonathan and Jarchi make it to be the eighth day of the consecration. Or the day after the anointing of Aaron and his sons, and which they both say was the beginning. Or first day of Nisan, the day the tabernacle was erected by Moses. But that seems to have been set up before the consecration. Rather this was, as Aben Ezra says, the eighth day of the month Nisan or March, and was the eighth day of the consecration. Which began at the first day, on which day the tabernacle was set up (Exodus 40:2).

“That Moses, called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel”: Aaron and his sons to enter upon their office, by offering sacrifices for themselves, and for the people, and the elders to be witnesses thereof.

The number 8, throughout the Bible, means new beginnings. Just as a son was circumcised on the eighth day of life, we find that Aaron was completely consecrated for the priesthood on the 8th day. Aaron was in his days of consecration 7 days and now on the eighth day, he will take on the office of high priest. From the eighth day on, Aaron will be carrying on the office of high priest in the tabernacle. At first, Moses will still be advising Aaron of God’s will, but Aaron will be handling the offerings as high priest. The elders of Israel were called, so they would realize it was God’s will for Aaron and his sons to take care of the people’s needs toward God in the tabernacle. Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week. Grace is a new beginning in Christ. An Old Testament account which strongly speaks of new beginnings, is the account of Noah, his wife, his 3 sons, and their wives. These 8 would start over again to populate the earth. I think all of this leaves no doubt that 8 means new beginnings.

Leviticus 9:2 “And 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.”

In the presence of the people of Israel.

“Take thee a young calf for a sin offering”: One not exceeding a year old (as in Lev. 9:3). But this was not for the sin of making the golden calf only, to which the Jewish writers restrain it. But for all other sins of his, which it was necessary should be expiated before he offered sacrifices for the sins of others.

“And a ram for a burnt offering”: Being a strong and innocent creature, was a proper emblem of Christ, the Lamb of God that takes away, by his sacrifice, the sins of men.

“Without blemish”: This character belongs, as Aben Ezra observes, both to the calf and ram, which were both to be without spot. And so, proper types of Christ the Lamb without spot and blemish, free both from original and actual sin.

“And offer them before the Lord”: On the altar of burnt offering, which stood in the court of the tabernacle near where Jehovah was. To whom every sacrifice for sin was to be offered, being committed against him, and whose justice must be satisfied for it.

The biggest difference here, is that Aaron will be the one to offer the animal, not Moses. Because Aaron is not fully trained in all of this, Moses will direct the next several offerings. We notice in this the guiding hand of Moses, but the actual killing and offering is done by Aaron.

Leviticus 9:3 “And 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;”

That is, Aaron should speak to them, for being now high priest, Moses had no more to do with the sacrifices of the people. But it was incumbent on Aaron to call upon them to bring them to him such as the Lord by this law required of them.

“Saying, take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering”: This creature fitly represented Christ as made sin, and an offering for sin, instead of his people.

“And a calf, and a lamb”: Both of them, as before observed, were proper emblems of Christ in his strength and innocence. Sometimes called the fatted calf, and frequently the Lamb of God (Luke 15:23; John 1:29).

“Both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering”: Denoting the tenderness of Christ, his spotless purity, and painful sufferings.

Leviticus 9:4 “Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for today the LORD will appear unto you.”

An offering being made for the atonement of sin, and the gift of a whole burnt offering accepted by the Lord upon that. Peace offerings were to be sacrificed thereupon. One part of which belonged to the Lord, as the fat and the blood; another part to the priest, as the shoulder and the breast. And the rest to the owners to make a feast with, expressive of the peace and joy which arise from the expiation and atonement of sin. By the great sacrifice of Christ, in commemoration of which a feast is kept by the Lord’s people.

“And a meat offering mingled with oil”: With oil olive; each of these offerings are treated of in the preceding chapters, where an account is given of them, and the mystery of them explained.

“For today the Lord will appear unto you”: Or “And today”, as in (Lev. 9:6) so Noldius. For this is not observed as a reason why the sacrifices were to be offered, but as a promise of the divine appearance, as an encouragement thereunto. And may have special respect to some visible splendor and luster of the divine glory more than ordinary. And particularly to the fire that should come out from before the Lord, and consume the sacrifice (Lev. 9:24). And so, Ben Gersom interprets it. And this being on the eighth day of the consecration of the priests, may lead our thoughts to the day when our great High Priest rose from the dead, the day after the seventh. Or the Jewish Sabbath, even on the eighth day, or first day of the week, on which he made frequent appearances to his disciples (see Mark 16:9).

This coming and bringing these offerings to the door of the tabernacle by the people, is saying they have accepted Aaron as the high priest. Up until this time, you remember, they would only listen to Moses. You remember from previous lessons, that the high priest was to offer for himself first, so that God would allow him to offer for the people. The high priest’s sins must be offered for, before he would be worthy to offer for the people. Ministers must be clean in the sight of God, before they can minister the things of God to the people. In some churches in recent days, we have seen ministers with sins in their lives trying to minister to the people. God calls this the blind leading the blind. Let us read the reference Scripture and see what happens when the blind lead the blind.

Matthew 15:14 “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”

We will not get back into the meaning of each of these offerings here, as we have thoroughly covered them in a previous lesson. I believe in the statement (I will appear before you), has to do with God wanting us to seek contact with Him. The Scripture says where 2 or 3 gather in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Leviticus 9:5 “And they brought [that] which Moses commanded before the tabernacle of the congregation: and all the congregation drew near and stood before the LORD.”

That is, Aaron and his sons, and all the children of Israel, as the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it. All the above sacrifices they brought into the court of the tabernacle to be offered up.

“And all the congregation drew near, and stood before the Lord”: That is, the elders of Israel, who were called together (Lev. 9:1). The heads of the tribes who represented the people. As many as well could be admitted into the court no doubt was to be spectators of Aaron and his sons officiating first in their new office. And to see their own sacrifices offered. And they stood over against where was the symbol of the divine Presence. And the Targum of Jonathan says, they stood with a perfect heart. And no doubt but they were heartily sincere and upright in their sacrifices, as they had been in their donations toward the building the tabernacle, and providing things belonging to it. And they stood with all humility, reverence, and devotion.

In our society today, we hear people (who claim to be Christians), saying that they do not need to go to church. This is a trick of the devil. The Scriptures tell us to gather in the LORD’s name.

Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

We must all stand before the LORD on judgement day. It would be much better, if we stand before Him now, so that He will claim us as His own then. We see in the Scripture above that not just a few came, but the entire congregation.

Habakkuk 2:20 “But the LORD [is] in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.”

Leviticus 9:6 “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.”

Namely, what they had done, bring the creatures and things for sacrifice they had.

“And the glory of the Lord shall appear unto you”: Either Christ, the brightness of his Father’s glory, in a human form, as a presage of his future incarnation, as he frequently did. Or some more than ordinary refulgence of glory breaking out of the Holy of Holies. Where God had now taken up his dwelling between the cherubim. Or, as Aben Ezra explains it, the fire that should go out from him, and consume the sacrifice. Which would be a demonstration of his presence with them, and of his acceptance of the sacrifice.

We sing a chorus at our church which says (I want to see Jesus). How can we see God?

Matthew 5:8 “Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

Glory in the verse above, means splendor. This will perhaps, be the Shekinah glory of God. When we appear before the LORD, we must be pure in our heart. Even though we Christians are forgiven, we should still have a repentant heart.

Leviticus 9:7 “And 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.”

This is only observed to show, that as Aaron did not take upon him this office of himself. But was called unto it, and invested with it, by the appointment of God. So, neither did he enter upon it but through the call of God by Moses, in the sight of the congregation.

“Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering”: The young calf and ram.

“And make an atonement for thyself and for the people”: First for himself, and then for the people. For, as Aben Ezra says, a man cannot atone for another until he is pure from all sin. Which is a character only to be found in Christ, our great High Priest. And so, a proper person to atone for and take away the sins of others. Hence the priests under the law, with their sacrifices, could never take away sin really, only typically. And this shows the imperfection of the Levitical priesthood, that the priests of that order were obliged to offer first for their own sins. This our high priest, of another order, needed not to do (see Heb. 7:27).

“And offer the offering of the people, and make atonement for them”: Typical of the true and full atonement made by Christ, when he offered himself without spot to God.

“As the Lord commanded”: Aaron to do, and as he commanded Christ, his Son and our surety. The antitype of Aaron (John 10:18).

We went into great detail in the first few lessons in Leviticus about how these offerings opened the way to the Father. If you will, these sacrifices and offerings reconciled them to God. Jesus, who is our sacrifice and offering, opened the way to the Father for us. The curtain to the holy of holies tore from the top to the bottom when Jesus’ body died on the cross. This tearing of the curtain was not of man’s doing. It was opened by Jesus for all who will believe.

Matthew 27:51 “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;”

Atonement, above, means to cover or cancel. In the case of the offerings Aaron made, it covered; in the case where Jesus offered Himself, it cancelled the sin.

Leviticus 9:8 “Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which [was] for himself.”

Of burnt offering, freely and cheerfully, at the direction and introduction of Moses. Who acted in this affair in the name of the Lord.

“And slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself”: Which was to be offered first, as it was proper it should, that, atonement being made for his sins, his after burnt offering might be accepted with God. And he be fit to offer the sacrifices of the people. The calf he slew on the north side of the altar, where all the sin offerings and burnt offerings were slain (see Lev. 1:11).

We see from this that Aaron gave his offering first, so that he would be worthy of making the other offerings for the people.

Leviticus 9:9 “And 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:”

The blood of the calf of the sin offering, which they had received in a basin when it was slain.

“And he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar. The four horns of it, as Moses had done at his consecration, which was an example to him (Lev. 8:15). This was typical of the blood of Christ, to which persons may have recourse from the four quarters of the world for atonement and pardon.

“And poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar”: What remained after he had put what was proper on the horns of it.

The only thing we need to remember here, is that the horns show power or strength. The strength lies in the blood of Jesus.

Leviticus 9:10 “But 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.”

The Septuagint version is, “he offered them”.

“As the Lord commanded Moses (see Lev. 4:8).

We remember from previous lessons that the fat, blood, and inward parts all belong to God. They are burned as a sweet savor to God.

Leviticus 9:11 “And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp.”

With common fire, for the fire from the Lord came only upon the altar. Which perhaps may be the reason of this expression being used when anything was burnt without the camp, and not on the altar (see Exodus 29:14). Jarchi observes, that we do not find a sin offering burnt without the camp but this. Which is a great mistake (see Lev. 4:11).

The one important thing to remember here is that this flesh is symbolic of Jesus body which was offered outside the city wall.

Leviticus 9:12 “And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron’s sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar.”

The ram, which was for himself also. This he slew at the north side of the altar (Lev. 1:11).

“And Aaron’s sons presented unto him the blood”: Which they had received into a basin, when it was slain.

“Which he sprinkled round about upon the altar”: As he had seen Moses do before him (Lev. 8:19).

We dealt with these offerings in great detail in the first few lessons of this study. If you cannot remember the significance, go back and review those lessons. Aaron, even though he was to be high priest, had sinned and needed forgiveness, just as his sons did, and just as the congregation did. Aaron is a shadow of the great High Priest, Jesus Christ our Savior. The difference in Aaron and the person of Jesus which he shadowed, was that Jesus had no sin to be forgiven for.

Leviticus 9:13 “And they presented the burnt offering unto him, with the pieces thereof, and the head: and he burnt [them] upon the altar.”

After it was cut in pieces, as the ram of the burnt offering was by Moses (Lev. 8:20). And so it was done to this, as appears by what follows.

“With the pieces thereof, and the head, and he burnt them upon the altar”: The Septuagint version is, “he put them on the altar”.

Leviticus 9:14 “And he did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt [them] upon the burnt offering on the altar.”

As Moses also had done (Lev. 8:21).

“And burnt them upon the burnt offering on the altar”: Upon the pieces, and the head, before mentioned. Said to be burnt, or “after” the burnt offering, after they were burnt. The Septuagint version is as before.

I would just like to bring one thing to your remembrance here. The washing was because God would not accept an unclean offering. Aaron did as he had been instructed.

Leviticus 9:15 “And 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.”

To the altar, having offered his own first.

“And took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and slew it”: Where he had slain his own.

“And offered it for sin, as the first”: The first offering he offered for himself, which was of the same sort.

In this lesson, I will not get into every little detail about what each item symbolizes. We dealt with those things in a previous lesson. I will however, remind all of us about some of the important differences in each offering. The most important thing to remember here, is that the offering for the entire congregation was the same as for the priest. This again, indicates that the priest will pay a higher price for his sins, because he sinned in knowledge.

Leviticus 9:16 “And he brought the burnt offering, and offered it according to the manner.”

The calf and the lamb (Lev. 9:3).

“And offered it according to the manner”: Judgment, ordinance, and appointment of God respecting that sort of offerings (see Lev. 1:1).

The thing that stands out to me in this is, that Aaron has learned his lesson well, and he is doing the offerings in the proper order.

Leviticus 9:17 And he brought the meat offering, and took a handful thereof, and burnt [it] upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning.”

Made of fine flour, with oil and frankincense put upon it (see Lev. 2:1).

“And took a handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar” (see Lev. 2:2).

“Beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning”: The daily morning sacrifice, which was not to be omitted on account of these extraordinary sacrifices, both for the priest and for the people. Or “after the burnt sacrifice of the morning”; for no sacrifice was offered up before that: so Jarchi.

We must not forget that the meat offering had no animal flesh involved. It contained the elements to make bread. Jesus is the Bread of life. Jesus spoke of His flesh as the Bread.

John 6:51 “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

This Scripture in John makes it very clear why this offering of bread is called meat. It symbolizes the flesh of Jesus.

Leviticus 9:18 “He 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,”

That they might feast, rejoice, and be glad that atonement was made for their sins, and their gifts and sacrifices accepted of God (see Rom. 5:11).

“And Aaron’s sons presented unto him the blood”: Of the peace offerings, the bullock and the ram, which they had received into a vessel as they were killing them.

“Which he sprinkled upon the altar round about”: As he did with the blood of his own burnt offering (Lev. 9:12).

The important thing to remember is, that Jesus is our peace.

Ephesians 2:14 “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];”

Leviticus 9:19 “And 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:”

Which in all offerings was the Lord’s, and was burnt (see Lev. 3:16).

“The rump”: Or tail of the ram. Which in those countries was very large, and had a great deal of fat upon it (see notes on Exodus 29:22; Lev. 3:9).

“And that which covereth the inwards”: Called the “omentum”.

“And the kidneys, and the caul above the liver”: And the fat that was upon each of these. Ben Gersom observes, that the kidneys and liver are mentioned last, to show that they were laid uppermost in waving (after directed to), that the owners might be stirred up, or moved by these things.

Leviticus 9:20 “And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:”

Both of the bullock and of the ram, while they were waving.

“And he burnt the fat upon the altar”: After having been waved.

The fat in every offering was God’s. The rump here, was actually the fat tail of the animal. The fat and all of these inward parts were to be burned as a sweet savor to the LORD. The breast was not burned here. It was just the fat and inwards burned.

Leviticus 9:21 “And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved [for] a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.”

The breasts of the bullock and the ram, and the right shoulders of them both.

“Aaron waved for a wave offering before the Lord”: Which was given to him as his part of the peace offerings, after they had been thus waved before the Lord. Whereby an acknowledgment was made that he was Lord of all, and had a right to all they had. In token of which these parts were given to his priests towards their maintenance.

“As Moses commanded (see Exodus 29:27).

This waving of the breast and shoulder was raising it up to God in offering, that God might bless it for their consumption later. The priest would eat this breast after it was properly cooked such as boiling or baking.

Leviticus 9:22 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.

After he had offered the above sacrifices both for himself and them. The manner of the priests lifting up their hands when they blessed is thus described. In the provinces, the priests lifted up their hands to their shoulders, and in the sanctuary above their heads. Excepting the high priest, who did not lift up his hands above the plate of gold. But R. Judah says, the high priest lifted up his hands above the plate, as it is said (Lev. 9:22). The modern Jews describe it thus: they lift up their hands to their shoulders, and they lift up the right hand somewhat higher than the left. Then they stretch out their hands, and part their fingers, and frame them so as to make five airs. Between two fingers and two fingers one air, and between the forefinger and the thumb, and between the two thumbs. They spread out their hands so, that the middle (or palm) of the hand may be towards the earth, and the back part of it towards heaven. Aaron lifted his hands upwards, signifying from whence he implored the blessing, and towards the people on whom he desired it might descend. In this was a type of Christ, who, after he had offered himself a sacrifice for the sins of his people, when he was risen from the dead and about to ascend to heaven, blessed his disciples (Luke 24:50). In Christ, the saints are blessed with all spiritual blessings. By him they are procured for them, through his blood, sacrifice, and satisfaction. And he ever lives to make intercession for the application of them to them (see Eph. 1:3).

“And came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings”: From the altar with joy, as the Targum of Jonathan. Being glad he had done his service with acceptance. He is said to “come down”, there being a rise or ascent to the altar, which, as Aben Ezra observes, was three cubits high, and therefore it is with propriety said he came down. Which he did as soon as he had made an end of offering all the sacrifices.

Up until this time, all blessings of God spoken on the people had been done by Moses. Now Aaron is taking on his job as high priest. He is speaking a blessing that actually came from God, but God used him to speak it. This lifting up his hands toward heaven showed that Aaron knew where his power came from. All of the offerings had foreshadowed the sacrifice that Jesus would make for us all. This sin offering showed the placing of the sin on the one being offered. Our sins were placed on Jesus and He became our substitute (in the sin offering). In the burnt offering, we see Christ offered up to God (a sweet savor to God). I believe the statement (not my will but thine), is covered in this offering, as we said earlier in this lesson. Jesus is our peace. We could say in the peace offering, not by works, but by grace am I saved. All of these offerings are made in a short time period. It is impossible to separate them totally. They all symbolize some aspect of what God did for all believers through Jesus Christ.

Leviticus 9:23 “And 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.”

They went out of the court where the altar of burnt offering stood, and where Aaron had been offering the sacrifices. And they went into the Holy Place, where stood the altar of incense, the showbread table, and the candlestick. And it is probable Moses went in with Aaron there to show him how to offer the incense, to order the showbread on the table, and to light and trim the lamps of the candlestick. And so Jarchi observes, that he went in to teach him concerning the business of the incense. But it may be, it was also to pray for the people, as the Targum, and for the Lord’s appearance to them, as was promised and expected. And that fire might descend on the sacrifices as a token of acceptance of them, as Aben Ezra notes.

“And came out, and blessed the people”: Aaron had blessed them before, but now both Moses and Aaron blessed them. Atonement being made by the sacrifice of Christ, and law and justice thereby fully satisfied. Christ and the law agree together in the blessing of the Lord’s people. The way was hereby made for the communication of blessings to them, consistent with the law of God, and his holiness and justice (Gal. 3:10).

“And the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people”: Some visible signs of his glory, some very great splendor or luster, or breaking forth of his glory. Or Christ, the glory of the Father, appeared in a human form, as a pledge of his future incarnation, when all the above sacrifices, which were types of him, would have their accomplishment. And this being immediately upon the offering of them, may signify that the glory of God greatly appears in the sacrifice and satisfaction of Christ, and in the redemption and salvation of his people in that way (Psalm 21:4). And the glorious and gracious presence of God is enjoyed by his people, in consequence of the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ, which was signified by the mercy seat, from whence the Lord communed. And it is through Christ, his blood and sacrifice, saints have access to God, and fellowship with him (Eph. 2:18).

We sing a little chorus at our church which says (I want to see Jesus). I believe that is the desire of all true believers in Christ. I refuse to worship in any church where the presence of God is absent. We know that the presence of God was in the sanctuary in the Holy of Holies. Remember, the congregation could not go into that area. The presence of Moses and Aaron here, shows the people that God speaks through them both. This glory spoken of here I believe, is the Shekinah glory of God. In this the people would not see the face of God, but a great presence of light. This Light would be the same Light that Paul encountered on the road to Damascus when his life was totally transformed.

Acts 9:3 “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:”

We know that man cannot see the face of God and live. This is a presence of God that cannot be denied, such as a very bright light. Many times throughout the Bible, God has appeared to someone. Usually he appears in some form of fire, or smoke made by fire, or a light.

Leviticus 9:24 “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.”

Either from heaven, or from the Holy of Holies, where was the symbol of the divine Presence, and Jehovah had now taken up his residence.

“And consumed upon the altar the burnt offering, and the fat”: according to Aben Ezra, the burnt offering of Aaron, and of the people, and of the daily sacrifice. For so it is written, besides the burnt offering of the morning (Lev. 9:17). And the fat of the calf and ram of Aaron, and of the goat, ox, and ram of the people, which though they were laid upon the altar at the time of their offering. Yet it is thought by some they were not burnt till now. Yet, with respect to the persons for whom this sacrifice was offered, it denotes acceptance of it, that it was an offering by fire, and of a sweet smelling savor to God. His law and justice being satisfied, and having honor done them. Concerning this fire, and the perpetual burning of it (see notes on Lev. 6:12; 6:13).

“Which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces”: Aaron blessing them, and the appearance of the glory of God unto them, no doubt, gave them joy and pleasure, as the spiritual blessings by Christ, and the gracious presence of God do to his people (Psalm 103:1). But what filled them with joy unspeakable was the acceptance of their sacrifices, as typical of the sacrifice of Christ, and atonement by it, which made them shout. And the court to ring with it; and yet fell down on their faces with all reverence and humility, under a sense of the divine Majesty being so near unto them, in this sensible token of his presence.

There was fire already present on the altar for these offerings. Generally, the fire under the offerings would take the period of a full day to consume the offering. This was an unusual fire then. Look in the following verse what God calls Himself.

Hebrews 12:29 “For our God[is] a consuming fire.”

This fire that totally consumes this offering then is the fire of God, which came from the Holy of Holies and consumed these offerings. This very same thing happened when Solomon dedicated the great temple in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 7:1 “Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.”

This is the very same thing that happened to Moses, Aaron, and the people here. God was so pleased, that He overwhelmed them with His presence. His immediate consumption of the offering showed that He was greatly pleased with their offering. One more time that I think shows this same thing so strongly, is when Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to call fire from heaven. If they had consumed the offering with fire, they would win. If Elijah’s God consumed his offering, they were all to follow Elijah’s God. Let us see what happened.

1 Kings 18:19-39 “Now therefore send, [and] gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.” “So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.” “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” “Then said Elijah unto the people, I, [even] I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets [are] four hundred and fifty men.” “Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay [it] on wood, and put no fire [under]: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay [it] on wood, and put no fire [under]:” And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.” “And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress [it] first; for ye [are] many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire [under].” “And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed [it], and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But [there was] no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.” “And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he [is] a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, [or] peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.” “And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.” “And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the [time] of the offering of the [evening] sacrifice, that [there was] neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.” “And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD [that was] broken down.” “And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:” “And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.” “And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid [him] on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour [it] on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.” “And he said, Do [it] the second time. And they did [it] the second time. And he said, Do [it] the third time. And they did [it] the third time.” “And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.” “And it came to pass at [the time of] the offering of the [evening] sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou [art] God in Israel, and [that] I [am] thy servant, and [that] I have done all these things at thy word.” “Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou [art] the LORD God, and [that] thou hast turned their heart back again.” “Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that [was] in the trench.” “And when all the people saw [it], they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he [is] the God; the LORD, he [is] the God.”

The effect of the extreme presence of God is always the same. They fall on their face to worship Him. This manifestation is so great; it leaves no doubt that this is God. Read the rest of 1 Kings chapter 18 of to get the full story.

To sum up this lesson, Moses has followed God’s instructions. Aaron is installed as high priest. God is pleased, and the people realize this is God’s plan, and not man’s plan.

Leviticus 9: Questions