Leviticus 8:1-6 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,… Hitherto this book consists of precepts and directions concerning the sacrifices and services of the tabernacle; but here a new section commences, in which the directions are described as carried into effect. This section appropriately commences with the history of the consecration of Aaron and his sons, with whom principally was to rest the carrying out of the laws. The verses before us describe - I. THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE CEREMONY. 1. These were directed by the Lord. (1) He had formerly given very particular directions from the summit of Mount Sinai (Exodus 28, 29). In pursuance of these instructions, the holy garments were made and other preparations completed. Note: The leadings of providence should be closely followed. (2) Now the time has come for carrying the directions of Deity into fuller accomplishment. The tabernacle has been finished and occupied by the presence of God; the laws have been published; and the next thing in order is the consecration of the priests to serve the tabernacle. The Lord is a God of order. In his service "all things" should be done "decently and in order." 2. His directions were given by the hand of Moses. (1) Moses was instructed to "take Aaron and his sons," etc. (verses 2, 3). These instructions he punctually obeyed (verse 4). In this fidelity Moses was a type of Christ, with these differences: (a) Moses was faithful "as a servant," Christ "as a Son." (b) The house of Moses was ceremonial and typical, that of Christ spiritual and living (see Hebrews 3:1-6). (2) Moses, who was instructed to consecrate Aaron and his sons, had himself no human consecration. He was an extraordinary servant of God. We do not read of the apostles of Christ receiving any baptism of water or ordination by imposition of hands. God can send by whom he pleases and when he pleases, without any human sanction (see Galatians 1:15-19). 3. The congregation was assembled to witness the ceremony. (1) This was a wise arrangement, to inspire them with proper respect for the servants of God. They were prone enough to say, "Ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi." Ministers were publicly ordained in the primitive Church. (2) The address of Moses to the congregation was brief and to the point: "This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done" (verse 5). The command, which was given from Sinai, the congregation were acquainted with. The time to carry it out was now given from the sanctuary (Leviticus 1:1). We should look to God for guidance in reference to times and seasons, as well as to the services to be rendered for him. II. THE BAPTISM OF AARON AND HIS SONS. 1. This was the initiatory rite of the consecration. (1) It was the first act (verse 6). And as Moses washed Aaron at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, so was Jesus washed by John at his entrance upon his public ministry (see Matthew 3:16; Matthew 4:1, 17). Like Moses, John also was a Levite. (2) The sons of Aaron were baptized with him. To them also it was the rite of initiation. So are the sons of Jesus initiated into his discipleship by baptism (see Matthew 28:18-20, margin; Acts 2:41; Acts 10:48). The initiatory office of baptism is also expressed in the phrase "born of water" (John 3:5). 2. It set forth the necessity of purity in the servants of God. (1) Water, being one of the great purifiers in the kingdom of nature, is used in Scripture as an emblem of the Holy Spirit, the Great Purifier in the kingdom of grace (Isaiah 44:3; John 7:38, 39). Hence a dispute about "baptism" is called a "question about purifying" (John 3:25, 26). (2) The requisition of baptism declared the necessity of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. This is the source of the spiritual birth in which commences the spiritual life which is the life of heaven. 3. As to the form of this baptism. (1) The record here is simply that "Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water" (verse 6). But by reference to Exodus 30, we learn that this washing was done at the laver. In allusion to the ceremonial baptisms of the Law, the baptism of the Spirit under the gospel is described as the "laver of regeneration" (Titus 3:5, 6). (2) From the same reference in Exodus we learn, further, that the washing of Aaron and his sons extended to their "hands and feet." There is no proof that they were bodily plunged in the laver. We are reminded how Jesus washed his disciples' feet (see John 13:8-10). The Jews have a tradition that a tap was turned on, from which, by the flowing of the water over their hands and feet, the washing was accomplished (see Brown's 'Antiquities,' volume 1, page 148). In baptism, the element should be active and the subject passive, for the thing signified, the Holy Ghost, certainly is not passive (see Acts 2:16-18, 33; Acts 10:44-48). - J.A.M. Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, |
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