3. MINISTRY TO GOD IN SERVICE (Leviticus 8:1 to 10:20)

The Aaronic family was set apart and dedicated to God's service before all Israel.

Leviticus 8:4 "So Moses did as the LORD commanded him. And the congregation was gathered together at the door of the tabernacle of meeting."

Important to see that this was no self setting apart - it was rather a recognition of their divine call to service. Everything done was according to the command of God - and by God's appointed minister Moses. There must be authentic recognition of our calling in God.

Hebrews 5:4 "And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was."

Aaron and his sons were called of God to their office and work. Only God-called leaders succeed.

Exodus 28:1 "Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron's sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar."

God specifically called and gave His own work description, "that he may minister to Me". All gifting and calling is to bring into his personal service - and is to be ministry unto the Lord.

Leviticus 8:6 "Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water."

To fulfill our calling we need to be consecrated by being washed with the water of the Word.

Ephesians 5:26 "that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,"

First comes "the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:5 ). No one who is not born again can be set apart to God's service. The renewing of the Spirit will of course, be more that just an initial act of the new birth. There is a continual ministry by the Holy Spirit of renewing in the believer. That constant renewal of the Spirit is essential to our ministry to God. It is by the truth - His Word - that we are sanctified.

John 17:17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."

The Word of truth sets us apart for God and His holy purposes - not by external ceremonial washing, but by the constant, faithful application of the Word of the Lord's truth to the heart. Also the washing speaks of the need of personal purity of those set apart to minister to God. Truth in the heart that is worked out in practical daily conduct.

Leviticus 8:7 "And he put the tunic on him, girded him with the sash, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him; and he girded him with the intricately woven band of the ephod, and with it tied the ephod on him."

Those set apart to serve God are invested with the character of Christ. The tunic of His human sympathy - girded with His truth and faithfulness - robed with His righteousness - the ephod of His priestly intercession - bound to Him and His people with the woven band of love that bound Jesus to the tree. Such likeness to Christ qualifies for service.

Leviticus 8:8 "Then he put the breastplate on him, and he put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastplate."

It was by the means of the Urim and Thummim that decisions were made and guidance sought. How it worked we no longer know, but we do know the reality of the guidance and counsel of our great High Priest, granted to us by the Holy Spirit. Those who minister to and for the Lord are given supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:8-10 ).

Leviticus 8:9 "And he put the turban on his head. Also on the turban, on its front, he put the golden plate, the holy crown, as the LORD had commanded Moses."

Those who consecrate themselves to His service are crowned with His glory and represent the Lord, just as He was crowned with the Father's glory, perfectly representing Him.

With the special consecrated oil, both the Tabernacle and the priests, were anointed.

Leviticus 8:10-12 "Also Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. He sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, anointed the altar and all its utensils, and the laver and its base, to consecrate them. And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him, to consecrate him."

(See Exodus 40:9-15 ).

Through this anointing the setting apart of all concerned was accomplished. The oil symbolised the Holy Spirit whose presence and power in ministry makes such service acceptable and effective. We partake of the same anointing that Christ received without measure. (John 3:34; Luke 4:18 ).

Notice that part of the blood of the consecration (peace) offering was applied to the right ear, thumb, and big toe of Aaron and his sons. (Leviticus 8:23-24 ). Someone has said "True ministers are expected to teach God's Word by hearing it, carrying it out, and walking in it devotedly." It is only by blood applied lives that this is possible.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What New Testament lesson do you learn from the setting apart of the Aaronic family to God's service ( Leviticus 8:2-4; Hebrews 5:4 )?

2. What does the washing of Aaron and his sons say to you (Leviticus 8:6; John 17:17 )?

3. Having received the washing of regeneration, do you expect a constant renewal ministry of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:6 )?

4. Do you need to be invested with Christlikeness to qualify your service (Leviticus 8:7 ), and endowment of spiritual gifts (Leviticus 8:8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 )?