Earliest Priesthood

Aaron and his sons were consecrated and the priestly ministry began.

In Leviticus 8 – 10, Moses consecrated Aaron and his sons according to God’s commands. Every procedure must be followed strictly lest one would die. Aaron’s two sons died due to the offer of profane fire.

Aaron, his sons and his generations were appointed by God and they were the earliest priests. Aaron, his sons, the tabernacle and all that was in it, the altar and all its utensils were anointed. The consecration had to do with men and their garments. Aaron and his sons must not go outside but stayed at the door of the tabernacle of meeting day and night for seven days, and kept the charge of the LORD, so that they might not die.

Unique laws for priests:

1)      Their specific garments and ways of dressing

2)      The consecration

3)      Atonements for the priest (themselves) and the altar

4)      Atonements for the people

5)      Priestly ministry, for example, to handle offerings and bless people.

6)      Their due to be eaten in a holy place

All these laws have exclusive procedures and forbidden acts that must be observed strictly. The guilty priests would receive punishment according to their own deed.

Punishment to the culpable priests:

Aaron’s two sons, Nadab and Abihu, offered profane fire, which was not God’s command. Fire went out from the LORD devoured them.

The privilege of priests:

Being assigned to serve God for generations is a great honor. Aaron, his sons, his generations could enjoy the due (made holy) and eat them in holy place.

Conduct prescribed for priests:

1)      Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink when they go into the tabernacle of meeting lest they die.

2)      Distinguish between holy and unholy.

3)      Distinguish between unclean and clean.

4)      Teach the children of Israel all the statutes given by the LORD.

5)      Eat their due correctly.

Priests have great responsibility and must behave properly. They serve under God to help all people (including themselves) worship HIM faithfully. They must know exactly how to keep the place holy, how to purify the altar, how to handle various kinds of offerings, what must be burnt and where, what should be eaten and where. They themselves are sinners and need atonements as well, no exemption from disobeying God.

Nowadays, we go to the church to meet priests and receive their service. They still need to observe a lot of specific laws and attend to every detail with precision, to keep the self, the place, all the utensils holy, not according to their own will but God’s.

Priests are appointed servants of God to help us worship HIM. They must have a good reputation for keeping God’s rules sternly. We ought to heed their exhortation and keep walking in God’s way accordingly.

Let’s pray to God:

Our glorious Father, thanks for appointing priests to help us know You and consolidate our faith. Bless the priests to do their duties devotedly and support them at the difficult moments. Amen.