The institution of the priesthood is fully detailed in four chapters, Exod. 28., 29.; Lev. 8., 9. In the book of Exodus the subject of the priesthood is introduced between the numerous typical displays of God to man, and of those which signified man’s approach to God. The revelation of priestly service and order, therefore, is just in its proper place, and affords another illustration of the perfection of the matchless volume of inspiration.
In the book of Leviticus the priesthood occupies an equally important place. In the first seven chapters, sacrifice is treated of in fullness of detail and wealth of spiritual significance. Sacrifice is the moral basis of priesthood. Had there been no sacrifice there could have been no priest. Not only did the one precede the other, but sacrifice formed the ground of all priestly service in the Court and Tabernacle. Intercession worship and communion were morally dependent upon and founded upon the Brazen Altar. Priestly discernment too was needed to maintain ceremonial purity in distinguishing the clean from the unclean, the holy from the unholy (chaps. 10.-15.), followed by a chapter which in its typical import is second to none in the Scriptures (16.). In chap. 16. the fundamental truth of atonement in all its parts is regarded as the sole, special, and unique work of the high priest. The order therefore is first sacrifice, then the priesthood based upon it, followed by priestly discernment so that no defilement hinder the freest intercourse with Jehovah, and lastly the making of atonement―a yearly work of immense value to Israel and of priceless worth to us viewed in its typical significance.
It may assist the reader in Tabernacle-study, to bear in mind that Aaron―Israel’s first high priest―never prefigures Christians, but Christ our “Great High Priest.” Aaron and his sons typify our happy association as priests and worshippers with Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. All Christians in this dispensation are constituted God’s “holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:55Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)), and God’s “royal priesthood” (verse 9). As the former we offer up spiritual sacrifices to God; as the latter we display to others the virtues of God. Aaron and his house typify Christ and the whole priestly family― “whose house are we.” The congregation of Israel signifies the nation then or future.