Page 73 - Pentateuch - Student Textbook

sanctuary area, perhaps as proof that danger came directly from God not from some magical power in
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the sacrifices themselves.

Yet again instructions are not followed. Not everything was eaten. Some was burned. “Why?” asks
Moses. “Since its blood was not taken into the Holy Place, you should have eaten the goat in the
sanctuary area, as I commanded (10:18).” The explanation of Aaron is a bit uncertain. Is he privately
mourning, since public sorrow is forbidden him? Does he simply make a mistake without any sense of
pride or rebellion? Is he afraid, having seen what happened to his sons? We do not know for sure. His
answer satisfies Moses. Aaron lived, so his reason satisfies YHWH also.

We are familiar already with God’s pattern in the life of Israel. He disciplines, or teaches, them
constantly through direct revelation and through events. As readers we are more than just impartial
observers. God’s purpose is very similar for us. “Everything that was written in the past was written to
teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provided
we might have hope (Rom. 15:4).”

Priests taught the people the difference between clean and
unclean. They offered sacrifices on behalf of the people,
standing between God and everyone else. As with the other
parts of the law, the priesthood was designed to point people to
a greater system, to a greater priest. “Day after day every priest
stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he
offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins (Heb.
10:11).” The priestly duties were repeated over and over
without permanent effect. The priests themselves were Fig. 50: Jesus the final sacrifice
replaced by another generation of priests time and again. “Now
there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office (Heb.
7:23).” So we have the spiritual lesson before us of an infinite line of priests carrying out their role day
after day after day in infinite succession. And, of course, their role included offering sacrifice for
themselves (Heb. 7:27), communicating clearly the truth of their own sin.

The priests in this way pointed to Christ. No one could come to God but through them. Yet their line was
one after another. A faithful Israelite was pushed to look for a better high priest. Surely God did not
mean for this system to go on and on and on. Just like the sacrifices, the priests were inadequate. Better
must be ahead.

9.4 Let’s Practice…

1. Why was a burnt offering brought to God?

2. After the animal for the burnt offering was slaughtered, what was done with everything but
the hide?

80 Hamilton, Handbook, p. 256.

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