Leviticus Chapter 9

Leviticus 9 — “Fire from Heaven: The First Sacrifice and the Glory of the LORD”

Leviticus 8 showed the consecration of the priests.
Leviticus 9 now shows their first act.

What has been prepared in secret
is now revealed in public.

This chapter teaches one central truth:

When priesthood and sacrifice are united in obedience, God reveals His glory and accepts the offering — a mystery fulfilled perfectly in Christ.

1. The Eighth Day

“On the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his sons…” (Lev 9:1)

The eighth day is the day after completion.

St Augustine writes:

“The eighth day is the day of resurrection and new creation.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Christ rises on the first day after the Sabbath —
the true eighth day.

Priesthood begins
with resurrection life.

2. A Sin Offering for the Priest

“Take a bull calf for a sin offering…” (v. 2)

Aaron must offer for himself
before he offers for others.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“He who stands for others must first be cleansed himself.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Christ alone needs no sacrifice for Himself.
He is holy and without sin.

This shows the weakness of old priesthood
and the perfection of Christ’s.

3. A Burnt Offering and a Peace Offering

(vv. 2–4)

Three sacrifices appear:

• sin offering
• burnt offering
• peace offering

St Jerome comments:

“These offerings show cleansing, dedication, and communion.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Christ cleanses by His blood.
He dedicates by His obedience.
He gives peace by His Cross.

All three meet
in one sacrifice.

4. “Today the LORD Will Appear”

(v. 4)

Obedience prepares
for revelation.

St Augustine teaches:

“God shows Himself where He is rightly worshipped.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Christ appears risen
after perfect obedience unto death.

Glory follows sacrifice.

5. The People Bring Their Offerings

(vv. 3–5)

The whole congregation participates.

St Gregory the Great writes:

“The people are saved when priest and people act together.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

The Church offers
through Christ her Priest.

The faithful do not stand apart
from the sacrifice.

6. Aaron Draws Near to the Altar

“So Aaron came near to the altar…” (v. 8)

The priest approaches God
with blood.

St Ambrose teaches:

“The priest draws near with fear, not pride.”
(On the Mysteries)

Typology:

Christ draws near to the Father
with His own blood.

Access to God
is through sacrifice.

7. The Sin Offering for the People

(vv. 15–16)

First, sin is removed.

St Augustine writes:

“No one can feast with God until guilt is taken away.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Christ removes sin
before giving peace.

Justification
precedes communion.

8. The Burnt Offering

(vv. 16)

The offering is wholly given.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“What is cleansed must be dedicated.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Christ gives Himself totally
to the Father.

Nothing is held back.

9. The Grain Offering

(v. 17)

Daily life is joined
to sacrifice.

St Jerome remarks:

“Labor is made holy when joined to the altar.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Christ sanctifies
human work and bread.

The Eucharist unites
earth and heaven.

10. The Peace Offering

(vv. 18–21)

Communion follows atonement.

St Ambrose writes:

“After sacrifice comes peace.”
(On the Mysteries)

Typology:

Christ gives peace
after His death:

“Peace be with you.”

The Cross leads
to the table.

11. Moses and Aaron Enter the Tent

“Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting…” (v. 23)

Intercession is hidden
before glory is shown.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“The prayer of the priest prepares the vision of God.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Christ enters heaven
after His sacrifice.

Then He sends blessing
to the Church.

12. The Blessing of the People

(v. 22–23)

Aaron lifts his hands
and blesses.

St Augustine writes:

“The priest blesses because he stands between God and man.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Christ lifts His hands
on the Cross
and in Ascension.

Blessing flows
from wounded hands.

13. The Glory of the LORD Appears

“And the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.” (v. 23)

God reveals Himself
to the obedient.

St Jerome comments:

“Glory follows sacrifice.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

The Resurrection
is the revelation of glory.

The Church sees
what Israel glimpsed.

14. Fire from the LORD

“Fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering…” (v. 24)

Heaven accepts the sacrifice.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“Fire from God shows approval from God.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

At Pentecost, fire descends
on the Church.

The Spirit confirms
the sacrifice of Christ.

15. The People Shout and Fall

(v. 24)

They rejoice and worship.

St Augustine writes:

“Fear and joy meet where God reveals Himself.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

The Church worships
before the risen Christ.

Awe and praise
belong together.

16. The Meaning of Leviticus 9

This chapter teaches:

• priesthood now acts
• sacrifice is accepted
• glory is revealed
• fire descends
• blessing is given

It proclaims:

God dwells with His people
through sacrifice.

17. Christ and the Fire from Heaven

Christ fulfills Leviticus 9 as:

• the sin offering
• the burnt offering
• the peace offering
• the true Priest
• the blessing of God
• the revealed glory
• the Fire from heaven

“I came to cast fire upon the earth.” (Luke 12:49)

The Cross is accepted.
The Spirit descends.

18. The Church and the Fire

In Christ, the Church becomes:

• a worshipping people
• a sacrificial people
• a Spirit-filled people
• a blessed people

St Paul writes:

“You are God’s temple, and God’s Spirit dwells in you.” (1 Cor 3:16)

Fire no longer falls on animals
but on hearts.

Spiritual Application

Offer yourself through Christ.

Expect God’s presence in worship.

Rejoice in forgiveness.

Live in thanksgiving.

Worship with fear and joy.

Pray for holy priests.

Welcome the fire of the Spirit.

Christ in Leviticus 9

Jesus is:

• the Accepted Sacrifice
• the True High Priest
• the Revealed Glory
• the Fire from Heaven
• the Blessing of God
• the Giver of Peace
• the Dwelling of God with man

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
true High Priest and accepted Sacrifice,
You offered Yourself once for all
and revealed the glory of the Father
by Your obedience and Your love.

Send upon Your Church
the fire of the Holy Spirit,
that our worship may be pure,
our sacrifice pleasing,
and our lives filled with Your presence.

Lift Your wounded hands
and bless us,
as You blessed Your disciples,
until the day when sacrifice gives way to vision
and we behold Your glory
with the Father and the Holy Spirit
for ever and ever.

Amen.