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Lev. 8
I think the process of consecration of the priests holds a deeper message. In looking at it, I see three main offerings. First was the sin offering, then the burnt offering, and finally the ordination offering. The priests took no part in the first two, but shared in the third. For the sin offering, they offered the inner parts to God and burned the flesh outside the camp. The burnt offering belonged entirely to God. But the ordination offering was different. First, the blood of this offering was not only applied to the altar, but also to the priests. Secondly, parts of the offering passed through the priests’ hands as a wave offering rather than going directly to the altar. And thirdly, the priests partook of a portion of the offering in the presence of the LORD.
The representation I see in all of that is the repentance, atonement, and change that takes place through Christ. The sin offering is our repentance, which leads to the destruction of our flesh and the renewal of our inner parts. It also hints at how Christ does that work because His human body was the flesh that was burned outside the camp (outside Jerusalem) while His divine nature belonged to God. The burnt offering then shows more completely how Christ became the sacrifice that atoned for our sin and how, through Him, we offer our entire selves to God.
Then comes the ordination offering. The NASB footnote shows “filling” as the literal translation for “ordination”. Or, as I read elsewhere, “filling of the hands”, which speaks to the wave portion of this particular offering. In any case, it makes me think of how, after we empty ourselves out, God then fills us with His Spirit. It is at this point that we are covered by Christ’s blood and are changed from the inside out. We then take an active part in our offering to God, not for atonement, which is already complete, but in service to Him. And, finally, we internalize Christ’s work on our behalf. We share in His sacrifice as we abide in Him.
Ps. 9
Let the nations know that they are but men.” (Ps. 9:20b). Boy, if we could just remember that, what a difference it would make! It is pride that drives us to listen to the lie that we are or can be anything more. We then either shove God aside or, worse, try to put ourselves in His place.
Prov. 23
These proverbs tell us not to set our eyes on wealth or desire the delicacies of the selfish. The things this world has to offer are deceptive – they seem like something but they aren’t. Therefore, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the LORD always.” (Pr. 23:17).