2. Take Aaron and his sons. Chronologically this chapter follows the last chapter of Exodus, in which the erection of the tabernacle is recorded. The seven intervening chapters contain instruction Aaron and his sons would need before they began their ministration in the sanctuary.
The first qualification for the priesthood was descent from Aaron. Genealogical registers were kept with great care (2 Chron. 31:16-19). One who could not submit legal proof of Aaronic descent was not permitted to minister in the priest’s office (Ezra 2:62; Neh. 7:64).
The second qualification was freedom from physical deformity. Any defect or injury was sufficient to prevent a son of Aaron from approaching the altar or even entering the sanctuary. Aaronic descent entitled him to support; he might eat of the priest’s portion of the sacrifices and receive a portion of the tithe (Lev. 21:17-23). The priest was, furthermore, to be free from any ceremonial uncleanness and to abstain from wine and strong drink ( 10:8-10).
The special function of the priests was to approach God on behalf of the people (Lev. 10:3; 21:17; Num. 16:5). They were to stand, as it were, between a Holy God and a sinful people. Hence, they must themselves be holy. The matter of holiness is repeatedly emphasized in the description of the work of the priests. The high priest, in whom the priesthood centered, is called the “saint of the Lord” (Ps. 106:16). On the golden plate attached to his miter were inscribed the words, “Holiness to the Lord” (Ex. 28:36), and it is expressly stated that he was to “bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts” (Ex. 28:38).
But before the high priest and his sons could begin their ministration in the sanctuary, they were to be solemnly set apart for the task. Aaron was to be anointed with the holy oil and his sons were to be sprinkled with it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, where the inauguration was to take place.