Seven days shalt thou consecrate them— The solemn services appointed above were to be repeated for seven days successively, to impress both the priests and the people with the highest ideas of the solemnity of that service to which the priests were called; and further, to signify the peculiar holiness of this consecration, the altar itself, upon which the sacrifices were offered, and which was to be every day sanctified, was to impart sanctification to every thing that touched it, separating it from a common to a sacred use, Exodus 29:37. See Matthew 23:19. Or, possibly, whatsoever toucheth the altar, may signify only such offerings and gifts, as, in consequence of this consecration, were laid upon the altar, and by it made holy. The most cursory reader can hardly help observing the regard constantly paid to the number seven in Scripture; some reasons for which are offered in our note on Genesis 2:3.
REFLECTIONS.—The consecration of Aaron and his sons succeeds the preparation of the sanctuary, where they are to minister. The manner is solemn, to intimate the greatness of the charge committed to them, and the surrender they are called upon to make of themselves to God. Moses is employed as an extraordinary minister from God for the purpose, and he begins the ceremonial,
1. With bringing them to the door of the tabernacle, as persons selected of God. 2. By a general ablution. God will be sanctified in those who come nigh him. How can an unholy minister dare approach the Holy God? 3. By robbing them. They who would minister before the Lord, must be clothed with righteousness as with a garment. 4. By anointing the high-priest with holy oil. The unction from the Holy One alone can qualify a minister for the discharge of his office. 5. By a variety of sacrifices. A sin-offering precedes: for as men, they first needed to sacrifice for their own sins, before they could make atonement for the sins of others. The burnt-offering followed, intimating the warmth of holy love in their hearts, inclining them to yield themselves up as living sacrifices to God. The peace-offering completed the consecration. (1.) The blood of it must be put upon them, and, with the holy anointing oil, be sprinkled upon them. The blood of Jesus Christ must be thus applied to our hearts; and when we would appear before God with acceptance, it must be with our robes made white in this blood of the lamb. (2.) The priest's hands must be filled with the parts devoted to God, and thus they begin their ministrations. If we minister acceptably before God, it must be given us; he must fill our hands, or we cannot feed the people; and when he does, every minister will find business in abundance. No time will be left for idling and vanity. (3.) God's part must be burnt; afterwards, the priests' portion is assigned them. They who serve the altar, have a right to live by the altar. (4.) The remainder must be eaten by Aaron and his sons in token of their joyful acceptance of the mercy bestowed on them. They who hold communion with Christ, while they commemorate his sacrifice, feed upon him with thanksgiving. (5.) Seven days were to be employed in the consecration, and sacrifices were offered every day. It requires solemn deliberation to ordain a minister of the sanctuary: and they, who are to preach remission of sins to others, have abundant need to gain some sure and certain hope that their own are pardoned. (6.) The altar too must be consecrated, to intimate the universal pollution which reigns by sin, and that without atoning blood nothing can be an acceptable service to God. Lastly, we have in this, [1.] A type of Christ, who is both Priest and Altar and Sacrifice together, consecrated of God with the oil of gladness above his fellows, clothed with spotless purity, and by his own blood perfecting the atonement: [2.] Of every faithful soul, washed in the blood of the Redeemer, and thus by grace enabled to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.