On the eighth day, the call of destiny came. Moses summoned Aaron, his sons, and the elders of Israel to the Tent of Meeting. His voice rang with command:
"Bring your offerings before the LORD. A bull calf for your sin, a ram for burnt offering—both without blemish. Tell the people: they too must bring a goat for sin, a calf and a lamb for burnt offerings, an ox and a ram for fellowship, and a grain offering mingled with oil. For today…" Moses' eyes burned with holy fire, "…the LORD will appear to you."
The people obeyed, and the sacred court before the Tent of Meeting filled with the gifts of sacrifice. A hush fell. The air seemed to vibrate with unseen power.
"This is the command of the LORD," Moses declared, "so that His glory may appear before you."
Then he turned to Aaron: "Go now, to the altar. Offer for yourself, offer for the people. Make atonement, as the LORD has commanded."
Aaron, trembling yet resolute, stepped to the altar. He slew the bull calf for his sin. His sons brought the blood, and with his finger he anointed the altar's horns. The rest he poured at its base. Upon the flames he burned the fat, kidneys, and liver covering, just as Moses had said. Outside the camp, the hide and flesh smoldered to ash.
Next came the burnt offering. Aaron slew it, his sons handing him the blood, which he sprinkled around the altar in scarlet arcs. Piece by piece, the sacrifice was arranged—the head, the body, the washed entrails, the legs—all devoured by fire until smoke coiled heavenward.
Then Aaron turned to the people's offering. He took the goat for their sin and slew it, offering it as he had the first. Then the burnt offering for the people, then the grain offering—a holy handful cast into the flames to join the morning's sacrifice.
At last came the fellowship offering: the ox and the ram. His sons brought the blood, and he dashed it upon the altar's sides. The fat, kidneys, and liver covering were laid upon the breasts, and Aaron burned the fat in fire. The breasts and right thigh he lifted high, waving them before the LORD, fulfilling Moses' command.
When all was done, Aaron raised his hands over the people and blessed them. Then he and Moses entered the Tent of Meeting. When they emerged, both lifted their voices in blessing—and suddenly, it happened.
The glory of the LORD blazed forth before the people!
From the very presence of God, fire shot forth like lightning. It consumed the burnt offering and the fat upon the altar in a roar of flame. The people cried aloud, their shout shaking the earth, and they fell on their faces, trembling and exulting before the power of the Holy One.
The LORD had appeared.