Sermon Tone Analysis

What is the Priesthood?

Priest = God’s ordained mediators between Himself and Man.

Good Explanation of difference between High Priest, Priest and Levite

specific priestly activities belonged to three orders—high priest, priest, and Levite.

Priests were male descendants of Aaron (Nm 3:10) and Levites were male members of the tribe of Levi.

The chief functions of the priesthood were in the temple.

They looked after the ceremonial vessels and performed the sacrifices.

In doing their duties they dressed in special, symbolic vestments.

They were also teachers, passing on the sacred traditions of the nation.

This included such matters as medical information (Lv 13–15).

The high priest was the spiritual head of Israel and he had special functions, for example, entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement (Lv 16).

The Levites assisted the priests and served the congregation in the temple.

They sang the psalms, kept the temple courts clean, helped to prepare certain sacrifices and offerings, and also had a teaching function.

***A quick word about

Disposal of Offerings

Changing to linen garments to remove the ashes from the alter

Changing into other closes to take the ashes outside the camp

Charge to keep the fire burning perpetually

A burnt offering was given in the morning and the evening and opened (maybe) and closed (definitely) the sacrifices for the day.

It would have to be tended all evening to not go out overnight prior to the morning offering.

The ash would then be removed before the next days sacrifice (I think).

Three Explanations for Perpetual Fire

Fire the started the first offering was fire that consumed the rest

Symbolized the uninterrupted worship of God

Represents the continued consecration of the people of God

Reminder of the constant need for atonement

Reason for change of clothes - in the sanctuary confines the priest must always be dressed appropriately, and there must be a distinction between the Holy and the common.

rehashes the offerings from the priests point of view - why?

rehashes the offerings from the priests point of view - why?

Why does seem similar to 1-5? Gordon Wenham answers...

“If, however, you were a priest, you would have been more interested in the ritual as such.

It was the worshiper's duty to bring the animal on the right occasions, it was the priest's to sacrifice it according to the proper form.

He had to know which parts of the animal had to be burned, which could be eaten and which could not.

He was also interested in which parts of the sacrifice belonged to him, which had to be shared with his colleagues, and which were to be returned to the worshipper.”

(May not be relevant)

-Gordon Wenham

Here are all the markers in those two chapters for the instructions for the priests

Exodus 29:

Lev.6:8

Summation Verse at the end of Chapter 7

Leviticus 7:11

Beginning of Chapter 8 Positions us for Ceremony of Ordaining the Priests

Leviticus 7:37

Leviticus

Ordination of Priests

Disposal of Offerings

Changing to linen garments to remove the ashes from the alter

Changing into other closes to take the ashes outside the camp

Shows the Ceremony of Consecration and Ordination

Charge to keep the fire burning perpetually

The process of formally appointing someone to ministerial office within a religious community.

A burnt offering was given in the morning and the evening and opened (maybe) and closed (definitely) the sacrifices for the day.

It would have to be tended all evening to not go out overnight prior to the morning offering.

The ash would then be removed before the next days sacrifice (I think).

A burnt offering was given in the morning and the evening and opened (maybe) and closed (definitely) the sacrifices for the day.

It would have to be tended all evening to not go out overnight prior to the morning offering.

The ash would then be removed before the next days sacrifice (I think).

Three Explanations for Perpetual Fire

Fire the started the first offering was fire that consumed the rest

Symbolized the uninterrupted worship of God

Represents the continued consecration of the people of God

Reminder of the constant need for atonement

Reason for change of clothes - in the sanctuary confines the priest must always be dressed appropriately, and there must be a distinction between the Holy and the common.

Leviticus 8

“Calvin commenting says, "Since God prefers obedience to all sacrifices, he was unwilling that anything should remain doubtful as to the external rites, which were not otherwise of great importance; that they might learn to observe.

precisely, and with most exact care, whatever the Law commanded, and that they should not obtrude anything of themselves."25

Jesus said that God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth.

And it has become commonplace to contrast spirit and form as if they were incompatible in worship.

"The letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life" is a text that out of context () can be used to justify slapdash leading of services and other Christian activities.

Spontaneity and lack of preparation is equated with spirituality.

denies this: care and attention to detail are indispensable to the conduct of divine worship.

God is more important, more distinguished, worthy of more respect than any man; therefore we should follow his injunctions to the letter, if we respect him.

A glance at the performing arts dispels the illusion that a great and spirited performance can be achieved without practice and attention to detail.

Indeed great actors and musicians spend hours studying and rehearsing the works they are to perform, so that they can recapture the spirit of the author and convey it in their performance.

Audiences expect performers to aim at perfection in the concert hall.

Worship is also a performance, a performance in honor of almighty God.

As no orchestra can give of its best without a competent conductor and meticulous rehearsal, so no congregation is likely to worship our holy God in a worthy manner without careful direction by a well-instructed minister.”

-36

Ordination = The process of formally appointing someone to ministerial office within a religious community.

Idea of all being Priests is one of the most central ideas in the Bible

Leviticus 8:

Moses washes Aaron and His Son’s with water

OT - Initial Covenant Declaration

NT - Peter using the same idea to illustrate the doctrine of priesthood of all believers

1 Peter

“Central Point of Christianity: People have access to God through the death of Jesus Christ.”

-Allen Ross

Moses dresses Aaron in High Priests clothing

Moses anoints the tabernacle, all its utensils, and Aaron personally

Moses clothes Aaron’s son’s in the priestly clothes

Moses brings the bull of the sin (purification) offering and completes the entire ceremony

Aaron and Son’s lay hands on head of bull and confess

Moses slaughters bull and puts blood on alter and poured out some at the base

Moses took the liver, fat and the kidney (the best of the bull) and offered in in smoke

Burned everything else not used outside the camp

Moses brings the ram of the of the burnt offering and completes the entire ceremony

Aaron and Son’s lay hands on the ram and confess