LEVITICUS 8 - THE CONSECRATION OF THE PRIEST: THE ANOINTING OF THE COVENANT MINISTRY
- Pr Enos Mwakalindile
- Jul 17
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Drawing Close to God: Visit the Leviticus, Look to Christ
❓ Have you ever felt the weight of God's call—but found yourself unsure how to respond with a worshipful heart, with a consecrated body?
🪔 INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT: The Journey From the Altar to the Ministry
After a series of instructions on offerings (Leviticus 1–7), we now enter the first chapter of implementation. Leviticus 8 is like a national worship festival—the inauguration of sacred service by those called to be the bridge between God and His people. Moses, God’s servant, is not only the national leader, but he oversees this action with strict observance as the Lord has instructed him.
Priests are living symbols of God’s dwelling among his people, representing his presence, his reconciliation, and his call to holiness.
This context teaches us that true worship requires both internal and external preparation—and each step of the liturgy of consecration is an example of the mystery of Christ's grace.
📖 Read Leviticus 8:1–36 carefully.
Note the sequence: the call of God, the priestly garments, the anointing, the cleansing offerings, and the commandment of seven days of separation. This is the story of the creation of a new priest.
📚 IN-DEPTH STUDY ON LEVITICUS 8
📍 The Commanded Call: Consecration to the Word of the Lord (vv. 1–5)
The chapter begins with the voice of God instructing Moses how to consecrate Aaron and his sons. This act is done in front of the entire congregation, for priestly service is not private—it is a communal service.
The words “as the Lord commanded” are repeated seven times—symbolizing Moses’ completeness and obedience to God’s Word. In Hebrew culture, the repetition of seven times is a symbol of perfect holiness.
“No man appoints himself to be a high priest, but he is called by God.” — Hebrews 5:4
Consecration begins not with the will of man, but with the call of God.
📍 The Robe of Glory: A New Priestly Identity (vv. 6–13)
Aaron was dressed in royal attire: a blue robe, a breastplate filled with the names of the children of Israel, and a turban inscribed "Holy to the Lord."
This garment was not just a beauty to the eyes; it was a mystery of duty. The priest wore the entire nation upon his heart and shoulders—praying for them, leading them, connecting them to God.
The priest’s garments were a revelation of a new identity clothed in God’s grace.
For new covenant believers, we are clothed with Christ himself (Galatians 3:27), and we are called to be a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).
📍 Anointing Oil: The Spirit of Ministry (vv. 10–12)
Moses anoints the tabernacle, all the utensils of worship, and Aaron's head with oil. This oil is a symbol of consecration to God's presence. In scripture, oil represents the Holy Spirit.
Christ, whose name means “Anointed One,” was filled with the Holy Spirit without measure (John 3:34). We too, through Him, are anointed with the Spirit (2 Cor. 1:21–22). This shows that ministry is not in our own strength, but in the power of the Spirit.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach…” — Luke 4:18
📍 Consecration Offerings: Liturgy of Grace (vv. 14–30)
The priests were given three offerings: a sin offering, a burnt offering, and a consecration offering (milu'im).
The sin offering removed guilt.
The burnt offering represented complete dedication to God.
The sacrifice of the saints ensured that they now belonged entirely to God.
The blood of the final sacrifice was applied to the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the big toe of the right foot — a symbol of:
Listening with humility
Acting in holiness
Walking with integrity
“Christ also offered his own blood, not that of an animal, to sanctify us for eternal service.” — Hebrews 9:11–14
📍 Holy Quarantine: Seven Days of Isolation (vv. 31–36)
Aaron and his sons were commanded to dwell in the Tent of Meeting for seven days, eating the sacrifices and the bread. This was a time of spiritual union with God before officially entering into the public worship service.
The seven days are like a repetition of the act of creation—symbolizing that true service begins with a new creation of the heart. True service is built on a foundation of self-purification, not just techniques or practices.
👀 Look at Christ: The Eternally Consecrated High Priest
In Aaron we see a shadow, but in Christ we have fullness:
He was clothed with the glory of the Father (John 17:5)
He was abundantly anointed with the Spirit (John 3:34)
He gave his blood for our salvation (Hebrews 9:12)
And now He has made us priests of His God (Revelation 1:6), serving not with the blood of animals, but with a life filled with the Spirit.
📖 SUMMARY OF STUDY
Leviticus 8 is a new direction for worship. It is the inauguration of a sacred ministry based on the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the blood of atonement. For Aaron, it was the beginning of the sacrificial covenant; for Christ, it is the fulfillment of that covenant through the cross.
“By an oath from God, Christ was made a High Priest forever.” — Hebrews 5:5–10
🔥 CONSECRATION OF THE PRIEST: LIFE APPLICATION
Ministry is not just a job; it is a new identity. We are all called to be priests of our own spirits and of the world. But we need new garments, new oil, and a life dedicated to God.
Are you willing to be set apart for that service?
🛤️ Spiritual Exercise: Seven Days of Purification
Day 1: Reflect on your personal calling and remember what the Lord has given you.
Day 2: Pray for the ability to hear God's voice like a bleeding ear.
Day 3: Ask yourself what actions of your hand need to be consecrated.
Day 4: Examine your ways—are your feet walking in His paths?
Day 5: Write a prayer of renewal to God.
Day 6: Think about how Christ became a Priest for you.
Day 7: Thank God for the grace to make you his.
👥 For Study Groups
What kind of preparation does today's service require?
What do we learn from Aaron's garments and offerings?
How can we revive the anointing and holiness of ministry today?
🙌 THE BLESSING OF CONSECRATION
May the Lord clothe you not with silken garments, but with righteousness. May He anoint you not with olive oil, but with the Spirit. May He anoint you with the blood of His Son, that you may be called His forever.
And let the fire of the altar continue to burn within you—for seven days, until eternal life.
Amen.
📣 In what areas have you been impacted?
Share with us a passage of scripture or an idea that touched you. Share with us your testimony of anointed ministry.
➡️ Next Lesson: “Sin Offering – Leviticus 9”
Is there a way to return after the fall? We look at the sin offering and the way of mercy.
📚 Further Studies
L. Michael Morales , Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord? (IVP Academic, 2015)
It sheds light on the priests as a symbol of God's presence and the mystery of worship in Leviticus.
Tim Mackie , BibleProject: Sacrifice and Atonement Series , Video 3.
It explains in detail the mysteries of priestly garments and anointing in the context of the covenant.
Hebrews 5:4–10; 9:11–14 , Holy Bible .
New Testament scriptures identify Christ as the eternal High Priest and the essence of the true sacrifice.
1 Peter 2:9; Galatians 3:27; Revelation 1:6 , Holy Bible .
Verses that reveal that believers in Christ are clothed with a royal priesthood.
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