“And he shall put off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry forth the ashes without the camp unto a clean place.”
This verse is part of a larger passage that describes the instructions for the burnt offering in the book of Leviticus. In this particular verse, the focus is on the role of the priest who is responsible for tending to the burnt offering.
Context: In the Old Testament, the book of Leviticus outlines various laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites, particularly concerning religious practices and the priesthood. Leviticus provides detailed instructions for the offerings, sacrifices, and rituals that the priests were to carry out in the tabernacle.
Meaning and Significance:
- Changing of garments: The verse begins by mentioning that the priest is to put off his garments and put on other garments. The priests were required to wear special garments when performing their priestly duties. This act of changing garments before carrying out the task symbolizes a transition from the ordinary to the sacred, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity and sanctity in their service to God.
- Carrying forth the ashes: After the burnt offering was consumed by fire on the altar, the ashes remained. The priest was responsible for removing the ashes from the altar and carrying them outside the camp to a clean place. This act ensured that the tabernacle, the dwelling place of God’s presence among His people, remained clean and holy. It also served as a reminder of the impermanence of earthly things and the need for continual cleansing.
Spiritual Lessons:
- Separation from sin: The act of changing garments before performing the priestly duty highlights the principle of separation from sin. It reminds us that when we approach God, we are called to be holy and set apart from the defilement of sin. It underscores the importance of personal consecration and the need to remove anything that hinders our relationship with God.
- Removal of impurities: The disposal of the ashes outside the camp symbolizes the removal of impurities. Ashes were considered unclean, and by taking them to a clean place, the priest demonstrated the need to keep the worship environment pure. In our spiritual lives, we are called to continually cleanse ourselves from sin, repenting and seeking forgiveness, so that we can approach God with a clean heart.
- Christ’s work as our High Priest: In the New Testament, Jesus is depicted as our High Priest who offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He fulfilled the requirements of the Old Testament sacrificial system, bringing about the forgiveness and cleansing that the burnt offerings foreshadowed. As believers, we can trust in Jesus’ finished work on the cross, knowing that He has removed our sin and granted us access to God’s presence.
Application: The verse reminds us of the importance of holiness and purity in our worship and service to God. We are called to live a life separated from sin and to continually seek cleansing through Jesus Christ. Just as the priest changed his garments, we are to “put off” our old selves, with its sinful ways, and “put on” the new self, created in righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Moreover, it encourages us to actively remove anything that defiles our spiritual walk and to maintain a clean and pure environment for our relationship with God. It also serves as a reminder of Christ’s role as our High Priest, who has provided the ultimate sacrifice and made a way for us to draw near to God.
In conclusion, Leviticus 6:11 teaches us about the importance of purity, holiness, and the removal of sin in our approach to God. It points us to Christ’s redemptive work and calls us to live a life set apart for Him.
