Leviticus 16:2-17 - Homilies By W. Clarkson

Type and antitype-the priest.

The high priest offering sacrifices for the sin of the people was a clear type of" the High Priest of our profession," who offered the one sacrifice for sin, who became the Propitiation for our sin, even for the sins of the whole world ( 1 John 2:2 ). We have—

I. FOUR FEATURES OF RESEMBLANCE .

1 . Aaron acted under Divine direction. He was appointed by God to take the post he took, and was charged to do everything he did. He might not deviate in any particular from the instructions which came from heaven. "Aaron shall" is the continually recurring strain; almost every other verse contains this formula; departure from direction was utter failure in his work and death to himself ( Leviticus 16:2 ).

2 . Aaron divested himself of his rich attire—he wore not the ephod with precious stones, nor the mitre glittering with golden crown; this splendid attire he laid by on this occasion, and he put on the simple linen coat, and was girded with a linen girdle, and wore a linen mitre ( Leviticus 16:4 ).

3 . Aaron did his priestly work alone. "There shall be no man in the tabernacle when he goeth in … until he come out" ( Leviticus 16:17 ). No other foot but his might enter within the vail; no other hand but his might sprinkle the blood on the mercy-seat.

4 . Aaron bore a heavy burden for the people. "So laborious and trying was his work that, after it was over, the people gathered round him with sympathy and congratulation that he was brought through it in safety." So Christ, the great antitype,

II. THREE POINTS OF CONTRAST .

1 . Aaron was compelled to present offerings for himself ( Leviticus 16:6 , Leviticus 16:11-14 ).

2 . Had to present an offering that was provided for him; a bullock had to be brought from the herds of Israel ( Leviticus 16:6 ), or he would have been a priest without an offering.

3 . Could offer no availing sacrifice for deliberate transgressions: presumptuous sin had already paid the penalty of death. But Christ Jesus, our Great High Priest,

" … came down to be

The offering and the priest."

He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself ( Hebrews 9:26 ).