2.6. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PRIESTS (Leviticus 6:8 - 7:38)

In the previous chapters the offender had been told what he had to bring and how he was to bring it. In Leviticus 6:8 to 7:38 the offerings are dealt with from the point of view of the priests.

Instructions required that priests gather the ashes, clothed in his linen garment.

Leviticus 6:10 "And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen trousers he shall put on his body, and take up the ashes of the burnt offering which the fire has consumed on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar."

In this special work of taking up the completed sacrifice - the priest was to wear linen which represented the righteousness of Christ. Christ Himself never needed to put on ritual clothing for He possessed righteousness from all eternity, and as man from the moment of His birth. When we believers exercise our royal priesthood, we need to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ, then our good works are acceptable, and these good works will clothe us at the marriage of the Lamb.

Revelation 19:7-8 "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints."

The priest is then to put on other garments

Leviticus 6:11 "Then he shall take off his garments, put on other garments, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place."

Now the priest has on other garments, the ashes have no sign of fire, proof and symbol of the utter destruction of the burnt offering, and the acceptance of the perfect offering of Christ through consuming fire. The ashes evidenced, "It is finished", the last word from Christ on the cross. The dead body of the Son of God (the ashes) declared that all was done that could be done. The changed garments of the priest speak of those of glory and triumph effected by the Lord's resurrection.

Romans 4:25 "who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification."

His dead body raised as proof of God's acceptance of His Son's sacrifice for us, and our justification - made in Him just as though we had never sinned. The priest had to carry the ashes outside the camp to "a clean place." The body of Jesus was carried forth and laid in a clean place.

Luke 23:53 "... a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before."

Now the merit of His death and resurrection is for our cleansing and acceptance. The priests were further instructed:

Leviticus 6:12 "And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out ..."

The continual fire spoke of the ever readiness of God to receive through the sacrifice of His Son.

Hebrews 7:25 "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

It also speaks of fire of the zeal of the Lord, burning in His heart and is burning and will never go out. The baptism of the Holy Spirit fire brings the zeal of the Lord into our lives and service.

Matthew 3:11 "... He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

The offering by the priests presented Christ as the perfect satisfier and sustainer of His people.

	FLOUR: indicated that we are to feed on his perfect obedience.
	OIL: To be filled with the Holy Spirit that our Saviour received without measure.
	FRANKINCENSE: Complete dependence on the Father expressed in prayer.

Leviticus 6:16 "...it shall be eaten in a holy place; in the court of the tabernacle of meeting they shall eat it."

Eating in fellowship is God's intention for leaders and people.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Why did the priest have to wear his linen garment when he gathered up the ashes of the sacrifices (Leviticus 6:10; See Exodus 29:42-43 )?

2. In what are you to be clothed to exercise your royal priesthood?

3. What fire brings the zeal of the Lord into your life and service ( Leviticus 6:12; Matthew 3:11 )?