Leviticus 8
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
It was early in the morning. The sun was already warm.
In the middle of the camp stood a big tent. God's tent. All the people came walking. Mothers, fathers, grandpas, children. They stood close together by the door of the tent. Everybody was quiet. Something special was going to happen.
Moses stood in front of them all. Next to him stood Aaron. Aaron was Moses' brother. And behind Aaron stood his sons.
Moses said, "God has told us what to do."
First Moses took water. He washed Aaron. Nice, clean water over his hands and his feet. Splash. Now Aaron was clean and fresh.
Then came the clothes. Beautiful clothes! A long white coat. A sash around his middle. A shiny cloth over his shoulders, with stones on it. Red and green and blue stones, sparkling in the sun. And on Aaron's head a turban, with a little plate of gold. It shone. Everybody looked.
Aaron's sons got beautiful clothes too.
What Does This Mean?
Then Moses took a jar. In the jar was oil. Sweet-smelling oil.
Moses poured the oil on Aaron's head. It ran slowly down. Drip. Drip. It smelled good, all through the camp.
Do you know why? Because now Aaron belonged to God. All the way. From his head to his toes.
Aaron was going to help the people. Every day he would go into God's tent. He would pray for the people. He was allowed to come close to God.
And God said, this is how I want it. Washed clean. Beautiful clothes. Oil on your head. Then you may come near.
The Common Thread
But there was something else too. Something sad, and something good.
Moses brought a bull. And two big rams. Aaron laid his hands on their heads. And then the animals died. On the altar there was fire, and smoke went up high into the sky.
That is not nice to hear. It makes you a little sad.
But listen. God said, this is for you. Everything you did wrong, it is gone now. Really gone.
Moses did something strange. He took a little blood. He put a drop on Aaron's ear. A drop on his thumb. A drop on his big toe. Ear, hand, foot. Now Aaron listened for God. Now Aaron worked for God. Now Aaron walked with God.
Later, much later, Jesus came. Jesus is the very best Helper. He came close to God for us. And He never has to stop.
For You
Aaron stayed by the tent. One day. Two days. Seven whole days and nights. He did not run away. He stayed with God.
You may come close to God too. You do not need beautiful clothes. You do not need oil. You may just come, exactly as you are.
God knows your name. God likes it when you come.
Talk About It
What did Aaron's beautiful clothes look like? Can you tell me?
God likes it when you come close to Him. When do you want to talk to God today?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank you that I may come to You.
Thank you that You know my name.
I want to listen to You.
Amen.
Questions about Leviticus 8
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Leviticus 8 about?
What does Leviticus 8 say?
What does Leviticus 8 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Leviticus 8?
Why is Leviticus 8 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
He sprinkled it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its vessels, and the basin and its base, to sanctify them." Not just the altar. The pots. The basin. The stand it rested on. God took the ordinary hardware of daily work and set it apart. What in your life feels too plain to be holy? He anoints that too.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
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