~~~~~Lesson: Leviticus: Chapters 8-10 (reading after lesson)

In the first section, I copied out all of the details of how Aaron's sons were first anointed. These details tend to get lost amid all the other details of the offerings and setting up of the tent, and the many other things we read of. The reason I put these down is because I wanted to point out that it was not the actual actions, in their specific order, that was important to God.
It was the fact that Moses, Aaron, and the others FOLLOWED his orders that was important.

Do we sometimes confuse what is important to God? (aka- is it the actual crucifix that is important or that we are showing faith? Is it the actual church building that is important or the fact that we use it as a gathering of the spiritual body of Christ?)

Aaron and his sons followed all of God's orders. And then Aaron's own two sons go and disobey those orders! God kills them.

Why do you think they disobeyed God's orders so quickly? (This is opinion, there is no wrong answer). Do you think God's punishment was too harsh? Why or why not?

Moses then counsels Aaron on why God's actions (aka- killing Aaron's two sons) was a good thing. Aaron says nothing. He doesn't agree....but he also doesn't disagree. (At least, that is how I read it).

Reading that section, do you think Aaron agrees or disagrees? (He later says something that pleases Moses, but remains silent at first.)

~Reading: Leviticus: Chapters 8-10

Chapter 8:1-13, 33-36

(1-13) The Lord said to Moses, "Take Aaron and his sons, together with the vestments, the anointing oil, the bullock for a sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of unleavened food. Then assemble the whole community at the entrance of the meeting tent." And Moses did as the Lord had commanded. When the community had assembled at the entrance of the meeting tent, Moses told them what the Lord had ordered to be done.

Bringing forward Aaron and his sons, he first washed them with water. Then he put the tunic on Aaron, girded him with the sash, clothed him with the robe, placed the ephod on him, and girded him with the embroidered belt of the ephod, fastening it around him. He then set the breastpiece on him, with the Urim and Thummim in it, and put the miter on his head, attaching the gold plate, the sacred diadem, over the front of the miter, at his forehead, as the Lord had commanded him to do.

Taking the anointing oil, Moses anointed and consecrated the Dwelling, with all that was in it. Then he sprinkled some of this oil seven times on the altar, and anointed the altar, with all its appurtenances, and the laver, with its base, thus consecrating them. He also poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head, thus consecrating him. Moses likewise brought forward Aaron's sons, clothed them with tunics, girded them with sashes, and put turbans on them, as the Lord had commanded him to do.

(33-36) "Moreover, you are not to depart from the entrance of the meeting tent for seven days, until the days of your ordination are completed; for your ordination is to last for seven days. The Lord has commanded that what has been done today be done to make atonement for you. Hence you must remain at the entrance of the meeting tent day and night for seven days, carrying out the prescriptions of the Lord, otherwise you shall die; for this is the command I have received." So Aaron and his sons did all that the Lord had commanded through Moses.


Chapter 9:1-5

(1-5)During this time Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers and, strewing incense on the fire they had put in them, they offered up before the Lord profane fire, such as he had not authorized. Fire therefore came forth from the Lord's presence and consumed them, so that they died in his presence. Moses then said to Aaron, "This is as the Lord said: 'Through those who approach me I will manifest my sacredness; In the sight of all the people I will reveal my glory.'"
But Aaron said nothing. Then Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Aaron's uncle Uzziel, with the order, "Come, remove your kinsmen from the sanctuary and carry them to a place outside the camp." So they went in and took them, in their tunics, outside the camp, as Moses had commanded.