ETB Leviticus 9:15-10:3

Session 11: 2/9/2025 Separation p.100

A brief note on something mentioned last week about the ark being covered when being moved. Numbers 4 describes the covering of the ark and all the holy items before the tribe of Kohathites come to carry them to the next location where the pillar of cloud settles. I do not find, however, any mention of it being covered when transported later once the people are in the Promised Land from Joshua to to the exile in Kings.

Today begins our 3 weeks of lessons in the book of Leviticus.

The book of Leviticus is famous for being a major hurdle to those reading through the Bible. Its emphasis on sacrifices, offerings, holiness, and purification seems foreign to many Christ followers. Many of the laws feel obsolete for a faith rooted in grace. But the central Christian doctrine of atonement—being reconciled to God through a substitute—is rooted in Leviticus. So, it’s important to understand the book and what it says about sin. [LifeWay Adults (2025). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Winter 2024-’25]

Ask: What big events require the most preparation? How does the importance of the event affect how much preparation is necessary? (p. 100)

Although I do not watch sports, I know there is a “big game” being played tonight. How long ago was the place of the Super Bowl being played determined? When did preparations for this game begin?

On God’s calendar, what is the next “big event” to happen in the life of His people, both hereditary and adopted? How long have we had time to prepare for it? How are preparations going?

In the passages we look at over the next 3 weeks, God is preparing the people to worship Him at the tabernacle within the camp for the next 40+ years. Much like the events already discussed, there are a lot of “pieces of the puzzle” that need to be accounted for, and only God at this point knows the schedule and process. Through Moses writing it down and performing is with Aaron, the content of Leviticus forms.

Transition: Just as God had special instructions for building the tabernacle, He also had directions for the work that would take place there. This included the sacrifices people would offer and the priests who would offer them. As we will see in this session, those who did not honor God’s directions faced the consequences.

Understand the Context

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Background > Leviticus, Book Of

The Book of Exodus... leaves the reader in suspense. The tabernacle has been built, but no one knows how to worship God in it. Though Aaron and his family are alive, we are left wondering whether they will still be allowed to lead the worship of God after the idolatry of the golden calf. God has been so gracious as to take up residence among Israel, but how are they to respond? The Book of Leviticus answers these questions.

In Leviticus 1:1, God spoke to Moses from the tabernacle. Over the next several chapters, He provided directions for proper worship, including the people’s sacrifices (Lev. 1:1–7:38) and the priests’ responsibilities (8:1–9:24).

Leviticus teaches a twofold lesson for Israel and us: (1) how God’s people could avoid defiling God’s land, the sanctuary, and themselves, and (2) what to do when defilement took place. The verb kipper, “to make atonement/to purify,” occurs about fifty times in Leviticus, roughly half of all its references in the whole Old Testament. The general purpose of the book was to show Israel how to become a holy nation that could enjoy God’s presence and blessings while also displaying the light of His glory to the nations. [ETB:ALG Win’25]

Our passage text for today begins toward the end of chapter 9 and Aaron starts to present the offerings on behalf of the people.

Explore the Text

Leviticus 9:15–21 ESV

15 Then he presented the people’s offering and took the goat of the sin offering that was for the people and killed it and offered it as a sin offering, like the first one. 16 And he presented the burnt offering and offered it according to the rule. 17 And he presented the grain offering, took a handful of it, and burned it on the altar, besides the burnt offering of the morning. 18 Then he killed the ox and the ram, the sacrifice of peace offerings for the people. And Aaron’s sons handed him the blood, and he threw it against the sides of the altar. 19 But the fat pieces of the ox and of the ram, the fat tail and that which covers the entrails and the kidneys and the long lobe of the liver— 20 they put the fat pieces on the breasts, and he burned the fat pieces on the altar, 21 but the breasts and the right thigh Aaron waved for a wave offering before the Lord, as Moses commanded.

He presented the people’s offering … like the first one.

Before presenting the offering for the people, Aaron and the priests had to make offerings for themselves. Unsanctified people could not make propitiation for others until their own sins had been atone for first. The beginning of chapter 9 describes in detail Aaron making sacrifices for him and his sons first.

Lexham Survey of Theology Jesus’ Intercession

The idea of mediation is essential to the Old Testament. The priesthood of Israel is incomprehensible without it. The mediator is the representative or advocate of the people, and God communicates with the people indirectly through—rather than directly to—the representative. This indirect relationship creates the possibility of mercy rather than judgment for sin. To be a priestly mediator is dangerous, first because the priest had to offer sacrifice for his own sins and was in danger of ministering unworthily (

In order to bring the people into the presence of God, a certain sequence of sacrifices needed to be made. Chapter 9 describes this sequence in its required order. First, it was necessary for sin to be cleansed to make communion with God possible (the sin/purification offering). Then, sacrifices done as acts of devotion were offered (the burnt offering and grain offering). Finally, God’s people could celebrate peace with God and commune with God in fellowship (the fellowship/peace offering). [ETB:ALG Win’25]

Chapters 1 through 6 describe in detail the various offerings to be presented to the Lord in addition to when and how they are to be presented. Here is the sequence in those chapters and a brief description of each.

The burnt offering (1:1–17) - Atonement - pleasing aroma.

This is the most common type of offering and probably the one Paul was alluding to in his letters.

2 Corinthians 2:15 “15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,”

Ephesians 5:2 “2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

The grain offering (2:1–16) - Purification - Partly burnt, partly eaten, only bloodless offering.

The peace offering (3:1–17) - Fellowship - Partly burnt, partly eaten with others, Thank Offering similar but included a grain offering.

The sin offering (4:1–5:13) - Forgiveness - varied according to the sinner - unwittingly committed.

The guilt offering (5:14–6:7) - Forgiveness for the knowingly committed specific sin.

Now glance back through the passage we just read.

What is the order of the offerings as they are presented for the people?

Sin offering (Lev 9:15)

Burnt offering (Lev 9:16)

Grain offering (Lev 9:17)

Peace offering (Lev 9:18)

As we read through the rest of the Old Testament, the order of the last offerings varies but the sin offering is always first and usually followed by the burnt offering.

Why is it important to be in this order?

As believers in Christ, we are no longer under the burden of presenting these tabernacle or temple sacrifices, but the principles presented here for coming before the Lord in an “acceptable manner” still hold true. Today with veil having been torn in two at Christ’s death we can come approach God without the priests. We do this through the blood of Christ judicially, but practically we do it through prayer.

I was reminded of the acrostic “ACTS” used for prayer. If you are not familiar with it, the letters stand for “Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.” I have heard variations on this through the years with some word changes and additions, but they all started with A-for adoration. After beginning to study this process commissioned by God, I begin to wonder if maybe it the acrostic needs to be “CATS” instead. Then after one of my morning devotional readings I was sure of it.

Everyday Prayer with the Puritans Begin by Confessing Sins (Psalm 32:1–5)

In the prayers of the Puritans, the first main part is usually the confession of sins. The Puritans took sin very seriously—as does the Bible itself. Attention to our condition and relationship with God is a major—and primary—dimension of our prayers.

John Udall wrote that “it is necessary for God’s people to begin their prayers to God with a free confession of their sins (

All these sacrifices, offerings, and rules of presenting them in Leviticus are about removing sin to be able to approach and worship God. Jesus did the justifying for us and the Holy Spirit does the sanctifying, but we still have to participate through confession, praise, and other acts of worship and repentance.

Jesus did not ever have to offer up a sin offering, but he did participate in other “festivals” and prescribed Jewish ordinances. If you are following along with the church’s calendar in the Historical Reading plan, this week as you read the last parts of Leviticus think about which parts would Jesus done voluntarily as an “offering” to the Lord. Then ask God to show you how you can honor Him today following Christ’s obedient example.

Verse 21 shows us a transition being made as Aaron is now the one active before the Lord in making intercession for the people. Although he is acting the way that “Moses commanded,” it is really the Lord’s instructions that he is following. Soon the Lord will be telling Aaron directly His expectations and commands as the High Priest for the people. Moses will still be the leader of the people, but Aaron will be the spiritual head.

Aaron completes the offerings and transfers God’s blessings to the in the next few verses.

Leviticus 9:22–24 ESV

22 Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. 23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and 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 pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

What is the significance of Aaron blessing the people? 

Likely, a gesture of blessing the people, though raising hands also is commonly associated with prayer (Pss. 28:2; 141:2; Lam. 2:19; 3:41; 1 Tim. 2:8). During Hezekiah’s Passover, the priests and Levites were said to have “blessed the people,” which is interpreted in 2 Chronicles 30:27 as a prayer. So Aaron probably was praying for God to bless the people (see Num. 6:22-27). [ETB:ALG Win’25]

Moses and Aaron

Since even Moses had been unable to enter the holy place after the cloud of God’s glory had filled the building (Ex. 40:35), this would have been an enormous turn of events. It may have been that until they came out of the tent the people held their breath. We are not told how long the brothers were in the tent, only that they came out and again blessed the people. [ETB:ALG Win’25]

Immediately after the brothers blessed the people, the service toward God was complete and the Lord responded.

The glory of the Lord appeared … and fire came out

What did the presence of God’s glory indicate? 

God’s glory had been seen on Sinai and had been seen filling the tabernacle. Here, God made Himself known at the nation’s initiation of the priesthood and the sacrificial system. In doing so, He was affirming both. He approved both of the offerings that were presented and the men—especially Aaron—who were offering them. [ETB:ALG Win’25]

What was the significance of fire? How did the people respond?

God’s glory appeared in fire as it had at Sinai (Ex. 19:18). His glory was likewise shown at Mount Carmel when Elijah prayed that God would make Himself known by sending fire from heaven, an act that also would prove that Elijah was His servant (1 Kings 18:37). [ETB:ALG Win’25]

I am glad that the people responded because it proves that this encounter was not isolated to the tabernacle but that it was for “all the people.”

The Message of Leviticus: Free to Be Holy c. Prayer Is Offered (9:23)

It is hard to believe that the privileged right of immediate access to the presence of God that all believers now enjoy through Christ was once confined solely to Moses and Aaron. It is a mark of the glory of the new covenant, in contrast to the old, that all who have faith may approach God’s throne of grace with confidence and there receive mercy and find grace to help in times of need.

As many have noted in the past, reading through books like Leviticus can be challenge because of the repetitive nature. We want to “skip” parts because the seemingly mindless routine of them. Sometimes we can feel the same way about other ways we worship as well.

Ask: In what ways are you most likely to go through routines instead of worshiping sincerely? What can you do to avoid those spiritual traps? (p. 105)

For me, I think I am going to start trying harder to “prepare myself” for any planned encounter with the Lord. Confessing sin up front, then asking for His guidance in the personal Bible study or church service. Then expectantly looking for His answer will probably prevent me from treating the time as routine, because God’s blessings are fresh and new every morning, His grace is endless, and He wants to commune with His people.

The Message of Leviticus: Free to Be Holy a. Sacrifices Are Offered (9:7–21)

The order of the sacrifices was carefully planned, not haphazard. It attests the only order that is truly acceptable in our approach to God. Sin is confessed first; consecration is renewed next; gifts are offered only after that, and then, finally, fellowship is enjoyed as a result. The sacrifices, we should note, were never ends in themselves. The objective of Israel’s worship was not that they should engage in religious theatre but that they should encounter God himself.

The ceremony with the people is now over and God has accepted the sacrifices of Aaron, his sons, and those for His people. Aaron and his sons had gone through a week of ceremonies to cleanse and prepare themselves for the presentations at the end of chapter 9, that’s what makes the beginning of chapter 10 such a shocking change.

Leviticus 10:1–3 ESV

1 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’ ” And Aaron held his peace.

I am not sure how much time transpired between the end of Chapter 9 and the beginning of Chapter 10. If I had to guess, it would probably be at least a few hours into the next day but less than a week. I know for me the experience of a “high moment” usually takes some time to wear off or for my memory to fade a bit before I trip up and fall into the “lows.”

Unauthorized fire

We are not told in Scripture what this “unauthorized fire” was or what motivated the two brothers to do what they did. If you can think of a reason, it is probably because you have acted erroneously toward God in this manner yourself and the Scripture has now done its job to reveal your sinfulness. Anything more about the text is pure speculation.

Courson’s Application Commentary, Old Testament Volume 1 (Genesis–Job) Leviticus 10:3

Although the foundational sin of Nadab and Abihu was that of offering strange fire, evidently a second problem was that they were ministering in such a way as to draw attention to themselves, for it was in response to their sin that God said, “I alone will be glorified.”

Is God saying He doesn’t want any competition because He’s insecure? No, it’s because He knows if people depend on a person, a church, a ministry, they’re sure to be disappointed ultimately. God is the only One without flaw. That’s why He won’t share His glory with any man or ministry.

Last paragraph on p. 106

Two lessons come from this story. First, this is a reminder that the enemy always tries to corrupt what God has intended to be good, acceptable, and holy. Second, we run a risk of being sloppy with that which God has hallowed. That is our tendency. We become comfortable and no longer treat as holy that which God has deemed sacred. [Lifeway Adults (2024). (p. Page 106). Explore the Bible: Adult Personal Study Guide - CSB - Winter 2025. Lifeway Press. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]

Ask: What is the connection between holiness and obedience? (p. 107)

For us today and the Israelites in the camp, these two things are two sides of the same coin. I think many today, and I am guilty at times myself, try to separate the two. We “do” to be obedience but not with a holy worshipful attitude. This is mentality may have been what led to the brother’s death. Confessing our sin, accepting Christ’s atoning sacrifice a new, praising the Lord, and then acting in obedience may help us keep both of these in the proper places in our heart and minds.

Aaron held his peace.

Scripture records Moses speaking first after the sons were killed. I think he may have known Aaron would want to object. But Aaron’s silence speaks very loudly to the reverence he had for God’s calling on his life.

The Message of Leviticus: Free to Be Holy c. How It Ended (10:2–7)

By the standards of our culture the refusal to let Aaron express his grief seems unbearably harsh. But it witnesses not to an unfeeling God but rather to an appreciation of right priorities. Aaron had to put the service of God first, even before the concerns of family, and as the representative of Israel he needed to remain focused on his responsibilities. Put like this, these commands to Aaron are no different from the response Jesus gave to the man who wanted to bury his father before embarking on the path of discipleship. Jesus told him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ There is an urgency about the work of God that gives it priority over all else and that insists that his servants should not divert their energies to attend to lesser matters.

Apply the Text

The Message of Leviticus: Free to Be Holy 4. The Unfolding of God’s Ways

We do not need to have stood with the entire assembly of Israel long ago on the eighth day in the wilderness to see the glory of God. We need only turn our eyes to Jesus and survey his wondrous cross to see a glory that outshines anything that Israel observed. And his glory will shine with increasing intensity until the hope we hold on to is fully realized on the day of ‘the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people of his very own’.40 When that great day dawns, our voices will swell the choirs of heaven and cry, ‘Glory!’

Until that day dawns, we make him the centre of our worship, joyfully trusting in the presence of a Saviour who will never desert us and respectfully bowing in obedient submission to his word.

Pray: Lord God, we ask You to make Your will and desires known to each person here today. God protect each of us from any hint of “unauthorized” actions in Your name. Thank You for sending Your Son to remove the barrier of sin between us and You. Help us to regularly respond to Your forgiveness through worship and to revere Your holiness and unmatched authority.