Some of the priests included Aaron, Samuel, Eli and Abiathar. They were important in the religious life of the people of Israel.

The priests mediated between the people of Israel and God. Eli mediated between God and Hannah during an annual festival at Shiloh.

The priests offered sacrifices on behalf of the people. Samuel led the people of Israel into offering sacrifices to God while they had gathered at Mizpah before defeating the Philistines and \ during the anointing of King David.

The priests had a duty of maintaining the holiness of God and that of people. They had to examine the lepers to see whether or not they were pure after cleansing

It was the responsibility of the priest to take care of the Lord's sanctuary such as altars and the temple. Eli was in charge of the Lord's sanctuary at Shiloh.

The priests were the custodians of the Ark of the Covenant. It was their role to see that the box was kept safe and carry it in case of movement.

They helped to maintain justice in Israel especially during worship. They were required to display fairness when handling sacrifices.

The priests carried out the anointing of political leaders particularly the kings. Samuel anointed kings like Saul and David (1 Samuel 10:1 and 16:13).

THE FIRST SACRIFICE AARON OFFERED AS A PRIEST

(Leviticus 9:1f1)

Aaron offered his first sacrifice a day after Moses had ordained him and as he had just completed the ordination rites.

God commanded Moses to instruct Aaron to offer sacrifice on his own behalf and on behalf of the Israelites.

Aaron offered his first sacrifice under the supervision of Moses who had ordained him a day before.

The sons of Aaron and the people of Israel were witnesses to his sacrifices as he had to present them in their presence.

Aaron's sacrifices were purposely for purification. He had to purify himself, his sons and the rest of the people of Israel.

Moses instructed Aaron to take a young bull and a ram. These animals had to be without defects to signify God's holiness.

The Israelites were required to bring a male goat for sin offering, a calf and a lamb, both of which had to be one year old without defects for burnt offering and a ram for fellowship offering.

The people of Israel were required to offer their sacrifices to the Lord with grain offering mixed with olive oil.

The priests were charged with the responsibility of carefully choosing their sons to help them with their duties. Eli appointed his two sons Hophni and Phinehas to continue serving the Lord at Shiloh.

They were responsible for purifying the people of Israel. They would require the offenders to take their offerings so that they could present them to God in order for them to regain holiness.

The priest interceded on behalf of the people of Israel. Eli helped to warn his two sons realize that God was about to punish them.

The priests were responsible for reminding Israelites about their covenant relationship with God. The priests led the people of Israel into battle fields carrying the covenant box, which as a symbol of their protection.

The priests blessed the people of Israel on behalf of God. Eli prayed together with Hannah so that God would bless her with a child (1 Samuel 2: 17).

The priests prayed to God on behalf of the Israelites. Samuel prayed as the Philistines were about attack the Israelites.

The priests led the Israelites back to God through repentance. Samuel organized for a day for national repentance at Gilgal.

Revision Questions

1. Discuss the roles of priests in ancient Israel

2. Compare the roles of the priests in Israel with those in Uganda today

Aaron slaughtered a young bull at the altar. This was for his sin offering and for the sons.

He smeared the blood on all corners of the altars and poured out the rest at the base of the altar. This signified the purification of the altar.

Aaron gave the fatty parts of the sacrifice to God by burning them completely. The kidney and the best part of the liver were also burnt.

The meat and the skin of the sacrificial animal were later taken and burnt outside the camp. The priest ate some parts of the sacrificial meal including the breast and the right hind leg.

Aaron presented the sacrifices of the people of Israel by slaughtering their goats meant for their sin offering

Besides, Aaron presented grain offering as he took a handful of flour and burnt it on the altar. Aaron blessed the people of Israel after finishing offering sacrifices and stepped down from the altar.

Aaron and Moses went into the Tent of the Lord's presence and blessed the people again after returning.

A dazzling light of the Lord's presence appeared to all the people of Israel meaning that He was among His people.

The Lord sent fire which consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. This showed God had accepted Aaron's sacrifices.

Revision Questions

1. Comment on the first sacrifice Aaron offered as a priest

2. Examine the sacrifices that Aaron offered during his ordination