John Calvin Commentary Exodus 40:12

"And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tent of meeting, and shalt wash them with water." — Exodus 40:12 (ASV)

And you shall bring Aaron and his sons. I have already explained all that might seem useful regarding the garments and the method of anointing. Let my readers simply remember that the priest,³⁹⁸ who had been previously appointed, is now finally inaugurated, so that he may begin to perform the duties of his office.

At the same time, let them also keep in mind that this oil was consecrated by God. Therefore, it appears how foolishly the Popish bishops, as it were, ape Moses when, in imitation of him, they sprinkle their priests and altars and other rubbish with foul-smelling oil, since it is abundantly clear that this ceremony of anointing, which belonged to the ancient shadows of the Law, ceased at the coming of Christ.

What Augustine³⁹⁹ reminds us of is also worthy of observation: Moses, who was commissioned to anoint the others, was never himself consecrated by any visible symbol, so that we may understand that outward signs are not to be valued according to the dignity of the minister, but only by God’s ordinance. Furthermore, invisible grace has benefited some without visible sacraments, while visible sanctification, though it may be imparted, cannot be beneficial without the invisible.

³⁹⁸ “Aaron, ayant este cree auparavant Sacrificateur.” — Fr.

³⁹⁹ Quaest. in Leviticus 84. Edit. Bened. tom. 3, p. 524.. Edit. Bened. tom. 3, p. 524.