John Calvin Commentary Leviticus 7:6

"Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in a holy place: it is most holy." — Leviticus 7:6 (ASV)

In these passages, Moses confirms what we have previously seen regarding the rights of the priests and also adds an exception to which he had not yet referred. Generally, therefore, he claims for the priests whatever remained of the holier sacrifices and distinguishes them by this privilege from the other Levites. From this, we gather how free from all self-seeking Moses was, when by God’s command he deprived his own sons not only of the dignity conferred on his nephews but also of their financial advantages.

He states that none but the sons of Aaron should enjoy the sacred offerings, because they are divinely anointed to approach the altar. However, since some rivalry might have arisen among them, he adds a special law that certain kinds of offerings should only be taken by the priest who had offered them.

For although they all should have discharged their duties without self-interest and not have been attracted by financial gain, yet, so that all might perform their roles more cheerfully, God appoints a reward for their labor and diligence. On this account, He prescribes that the remainder of the minha in the peace offerings, the right shoulder of the victim, and the flesh that remained from the trespass offerings should be the recompense for the priest who had performed the service of atonement and sprinkling the blood.

It is undeniable that many were attracted by the desire for gain, who would otherwise have neglected their duties. However, this was a proof of God’s fatherly indulgence, in that He considered their weakness so that their payment might be an incentive to their diligence.

Meanwhile, God did not desire to hire their services as if they were slaves, causing them to be mercenaries at heart. Instead, when He rebukes them through His Prophet because none of them would kindle fire on His altar for nothing (Malachi 1:10), He emphasizes their ingratitude. This ingratitude stemmed not only from their unwillingness to serve freely but also from the fact that, upon receiving payment, they defrauded Him who had appointed them as His ministers.