6TH Day Tzav (Lev 8:22-29)

22 Then he presented the other ram, the ram of ordination, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram.

Rashi

The ram of ordination—This means the same as “the completion ram”; this term is used to describe the ram because by means of it they set the priest fully and completely in their priestly office (cf. Sifra, Tzav, Mechilta d’Miluim 1 20).

And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. JOH 17:19

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 1CO 1:30

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2CO 5:21

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. EPH 5:25, 27

5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. REV 1:5-6

23 And he killed it, and Moses took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot.

13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. ROM 6:13, 19

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ROM 12:1

John Gill

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God—The apostle having finished the doctrinal part of this epistle, proceeds to that which is more practical; and enforces the several duties of religion, upon the principles he had before laid down, a method generally observed by him in all his epistles. The illative particle “therefore,” shows that the following exhortations are so many conclusions, consequences, and inferences, deduced from what had been said in the latter part of the preceding chapter; that since all things are of God, and by him and to him, then the saints ought to present their bodies to him, and to know, approve, and do his will; and since they have nothing but what they have received from him, they ought not to think too highly of, or glory in their attainments. The introduction to these exhortations, is in a very kind and affectionate manner; the saints are addressed as “brothers,” and very appropriately; since this expresses the relation they stood in to the apostle, for whom he had an hearty love and concern; and therefore what he pressed them to was out of a sincere regard to their good, as well as to the glory of God; also their relation to each other, and which several of the duties he urges had a connection with; likewise their relation to God, being of his family, having one and the same Father, and so under obligation to regard his will, honour and reverence him: moreover, these things are moved, not in an imperious way, in an authoritative manner, but by way of entreaty, “I appeal to you”; as an ambassador of Christ, and as though in his stead: nor are they enforced by terrors, threats, and menaces, but “by the mercies of God”; that is, the abundant mercy of God, displayed in their election, regeneration, and calling; than which, nothing can have a greater influence on a believer, to engage him to holiness of life and conversation; and shows, that the doctrines of grace are no licentious ones, nor do they render useless precepts, exhortations, entreaties, cautions, and advice.

To present your bodies—Not barely that part of them commonly so called, for this is not to be understood of a mere presentation of the body in public worship: for though this ought to be, yet not without the heart engaged therein, otherwise bodily exercise will be of no avail; nor of a bare abstinence from grosser sins done in the body, and against it, and which defile and dishonour it; much less of a maceration, and keeping under the body, by watchings, fasting, &c. and still less of an offering of the body at death in a way of martyrdom, though this ought to be cheerfully complied with when called for: but by their bodies are meant, themselves, their whole souls and bodies, all the powers and faculties of their souls, and members of their bodies; and the presenting of them, designs a devoting of them, with all readiness and willingness, to the service of God for his honour and glory, without putting any confidence in, or placing any dependence upon them; which would be sacrificing to their own net, and burning incense to their drag; it includes the whole of their service, conversation, and religion, internal and external. So the Jews say,

“Worthy is the portion of the righteous, who offer every day this offering before the Lord; and what is it? ‘Their bodies and their souls,’ which they offer before him.”

The allusion is to the rite of sacrificing, to the bringing of the slain beast, and laying it on the altar, and there presenting and offering it to the Lord. Under the gospel dispensation all believers are priests; and the sacrifices they bring are not the bodies of slain beasts, but their own bodies, their whole selves.

A living sacrifice—In opposition to the bodies of slain beasts offered under the legal dispensation, and to the dead works of such as are destitute of faith in Christ, and to the lifeless performances of the saints themselves at certain times; and designs such a presentation of themselves in the performance of religious duties, as springs from a principle of life under the quickening influences of the Spirit of God, with faith and fervency; though without any view to obtain life hereby, for that is only by the offering up of the body of Christ once for all.

Holy—In allusion to the sacrifices under the law, which were separated from common use, and devoted to God, and were not to have the least spot and blemish in them; and regards men sanctified by the Spirit of God, and whose actions flow from a principle of holiness, and are performed under the influence of the Holy Spirit; and such sacrifices are both living and holy.

Acceptable to God—Through the mediation of his Son, by whom, as the persons, the souls and bodies of his people, so their spiritual sacrifices, whether of prayer or praise, are only acceptable to him.

Which is your spiritual worship—It is agreeably to reason, and especially as sanctified, that men who have their beings from God, and are upheld in them by him, and are followed with the bounties of Providence; and especially who are made new creatures, and are blessed by him with all spiritual blessings in Christ, that they should give up themselves to him, and cheerfully serve him in their day and generation; such service is also agreeably to the Scriptures of truth, the standard of filth and practice, and contain and enforce nothing but what is highly reasonable to be complied with; it is such service as lies not in the slaying of irrational creatures, but in the presenting of men endued with rational powers unto God; and is of a spiritual nature, performed by spiritual men, under the influence of the Spirit of God: and is suitable to the nature and perfections of God, and stands opposed to the corporeal and carnal service of the Jews.

25 Then he took the fat and the fat tail and all the fat that was on the entrails and the long lobe of the liver and the two kidneys with their fat and the right thigh,

Menachot 62a:2

The Gemara asks: Where is it stated that the loaves must be placed on the top? Rav Pappa says: This is stated explicitly with regard to the ram offered at the inauguration of the priests, as the verse states: “Then he took the fat and the tail and all the fat that was on the inward, and the lobe of the liver and the two kidneys with their fat and the right thigh, and out of the basket of unleavened cakes that was before the Lord he took one unleavened bread and one loaf of bread with oil and one wafer and placed them on the pieces of fat and on the right thigh. And he put it all in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons and waved them as a wave offering before the Lord” (Lev 8:25–27).

26 and out of the basket of unleavened bread that was before the Lord he took one unleavened loaf and one loaf of bread with oil and one wafer and placed them on the pieces of fat and on the right thigh.

Menachot 78a:7

The mishna teaches that the loaves that accompanied the ram of the inauguration of the tabernacle consisted of the three types of unleavened bread brought with a thanks offering: Loaves, wafers, and loaves poached in water and made with oil. The Gemara asks: From where are these matters derived? Rav Ḥisda said that Rav Ḥama bar Gurya said: It is derived from that which the verse states: “And out of the basket of unleavened bread that was before the Lord he took one unleavened cake and one cake of bread with oil and one wafer” (Lev 8:26). Granted, “cakes” are cakes, and “wafer” is a wafer. But what is “bread with oil” referring to? Is this not referring to unleavened bread poached in water and made with oil?

Rashi

And one loaf of bread with oil—This was a scalded cake, and it is called “oiled bread” because he used a large quantity of oil for it, equal to that used for the loaves and wafers together. So is it explained in Treatise Menachot 78a (also Menachot 89a).

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. JOH 1:14

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. ACT 5:12

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 1TI 2:5

27 And he put all these in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons and waved them as a wave offering before the Lord.

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. HEB 9:14

29 And Moses took the breast and waved it for a wave offering before the Lord. It was Moses’ portion of the ram of ordination, as the Lord commanded Moses.

Zevachim 101b:14

Rav says: Moses, our teacher, was a high priest and would receive a share of offerings consecrated to heaven, as it is stated: “And Moses took the breast and waved it for a wave offering before the Lord. It was Moses’ portion of the ram of inauguration, as the Lord commanded Moses” (Lev 8:29).

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1CO 10:31

whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1PE 4:11