“And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron’s sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar.”
Context: The book of Leviticus is part of the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, and it focuses on the laws and regulations given to the Israelites by God through Moses. Leviticus 9 describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests and their first acts of worship in the tabernacle.
Significance of the burnt offering: The burnt offering was one of the main types of sacrifices in the Israelite sacrificial system. It involved completely burning the entire animal on the altar as an act of worship and atonement for sin. The burnt offering symbolized the total dedication and surrender of the worshipper to God.
The role of Aaron and his sons: Aaron and his sons, as newly ordained priests, were responsible for carrying out the sacrificial rituals. In Leviticus 9:12, we see Aaron personally performing the act of slaying the burnt offering, which was the first official act of priesthood for Aaron. The blood of the offering was then presented to him by his sons, who assisted him in the sacrificial process.
Sprinkling the blood on the altar: After the animal was slain and its blood collected, Aaron took the blood and sprinkled it around the altar. This act of sprinkling the blood was significant because the blood represented the life of the animal and served as a means of atonement for sin. The sprinkling of the blood signified the purification of the altar and the consecration of the worship space.
Spiritual significance: The burnt offering, including its slaughtering and blood sprinkling, foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Just as the animal’s blood was shed and its life given, Jesus shed His blood and offered His life as a perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. The burnt offering in Leviticus pointed to the need for atonement and the anticipation of the coming Messiah.
Application for believers today: As Christians, we no longer offer animal sacrifices because Jesus Christ fulfilled the sacrificial system with His once-for-all sacrifice. However, we can draw lessons from Leviticus 9:12. It reminds us of the seriousness of sin, the need for atonement, and the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice for our redemption. It also encourages us to dedicate ourselves completely to God, offering our lives as a living sacrifice in worship and service.
In conclusion, Leviticus 9:12 provides a glimpse into the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests and their involvement in the sacrificial system. It also points to the greater sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. As believers, we can learn from this passage about the seriousness of sin, the need for atonement, and the significance of surrendering our lives to God.
