Leviticus 10:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When Moses, the lawgiver, witnessed that the goat designated for sin had been burned, which was against Divine law, he expressed his anger toward Eleazar and Ithamar, questioning, “Why do you not partake of the goat offered for sin in the holy place, as is done in the innermost sanctuary? Isn’t this what the Lord has provided for your sustenance, to atone for the sins of the people and intercede for them before the Lord?” This serves as a reminder that partaking in the offerings made by the people, while failing to live righteously and to earnestly pray for others, exposes us to God's judgment. To emphasize this understanding, the Lord spoke through the prophet: “The sins of my people are consumed” (Hosea 4:8).