I've never witnessed in person the consecration of a bishop, but I'm sure it's a magnificent ceremony. I know a little of what it entails: the laying on of hands, the use of holy oils (unction), the presentation of the miter, etc. But, after reading up on it (and as I suspected), I learned the ritual is quite intense and detailed. Oaths are taken, prayers are said, hymns are sung, the crosier is blessed and presented, gloves (in reference to Jacob's blessing) are worn, the Gospel is recited, and so on. It's a four-part ceremony that really stresses the significance of the bishop's role. Every word that is spoken during the consecration ceremony, every gesture, every movement that is made, is all meant to signify something. And so, why, in the middle of reading Leviticus, have I stopped to comment on the consecration of Christian bishops? Because the consecration of Aaron, the high priest, in Leviticus 8, reminded me almost exactly of an episcopal consecration ceremony. Or, to put things in proper order, the episcopal consecration should remind us of the anointing of Aaron. For example:
"[Moses] put also the miter upon [Aaron's] head: and upon the miter over the forehead, he put the plate of gold consecrated with sanctification, as the Lord had commanded him." (Leviticus 8:9)
"He took also the oil of unction, with which he anointed the tabernacle, with all the furniture thereof.
... And he poured it upon Aaron's head, and he anointed and consecrated him." (Leviticus 8:10, 12)
"And after he had offered his sons, he vested them with linen tunics, and girded them with girdles, and put miters on them, as the Lord had commanded." (Leviticus 8:13)
This of course is only a snapshot of the entire elaborate ceremony found in Leviticus, but it shows the undisguised parallels between the two rituals. I'm not an authority on this matter by any means, but I'm sure this is no accident. The Levitical priests and the bishops of the New Law share very similar functions; that is, to oversee and guide the people of God, to keep them always walking with God, to protect Doctrine and Truth, and to keep all things holy. No wonder, given the importance of their role, a deeply dignified and holy ceremony was needed for their consecration to God.
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