6. Discuss the priestly ordination in Leviticus 8-10. Covering the ordination, commencement of ministry and incorrect procedures.

Question 1

discuss the ordination of priests

Answer 1

• consecration, involving anointment, the offering of sacrifices -sin, burnt and peace offerings (in this order)
• they are shown how to officiate properly (implies that you can do it a wrong way)
• the blood of a ram is daubed on the tip of the priest’s right ear the thumb of the right hand and the large toe on right foot. This symbolizes, Mark said this, that they are supposed to hear the word of God (ear). Supposed to have pure hands in what they do, dealing with the animals (thumb). They are supposed to stand in the Lord. (toe)

-Moses brought near and presented Aaron and his sons to Yahweh. The same verb is used for both this act (v 6) and the presenting of sacrificial animals. Thus Aaron and his sons were completely given over to Yahweh as were the sacrificial animals. They also had to stay in the temple until God came and empowered them so that they can do what God wants them to do.

Question 2

discuss the commencement of ministry

Answer 2

• Lev 9 suggests that the priests ministry to others is useless unless his own relationships with God is above reproach. He constantly needs to be purified
• When he is purified then he can become to the congregation what he was meant to be. (not perfect, but should be above the people. Because he is standing in behalf of God)

Question 3

discuss the incorrect procedures

Answer 3

-Nadab and Abihu offered “strange fire” /unauthorized fire (zur esh) to the Lord and they paid with their lives. (the exact nature of their transgression is veiled by the cryptic description)
-they presented “unauthorized” or “illicit” This is either:
1. they offered fire on their “fire pans” that came from somewhere other than the prescribed place.
2. They tried to enter the holy of holies, which would have usurped the the high priest.
mostly thought that #1 is best choice

• their offering of illicit fire was met with divine fire from the presence of God at the tabernacle (don’t mess with God)
• they were killed immediately - not by fire, because their clothed corpses were left for burial (v 5)
• Aaron and his remaining sons are ordained clergymen and they are not to show any sign of public grief