Note: There are Part One, Part Two and Part Three in the below series.  

 

 

The Truth in Print Vol. 20 Issue 3, April 2014

A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,

2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)

 

Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com

 

High Priests Under the Mosaic Law (Part One)

 

 

Consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of Our Confession

 

Hebrews 7:26-28 (KJV)
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

 

   The comparison in Hebrews 7 is that of Christ with those who officiated as high priests under the Levitical system. They were mere men who themselves sinned; they were numerous and had to be replaced due to death.

 

 

Aaron the brother of Moses

 

 

      Aaron was Moses’ older brother (Ex. 7:7). When Moses argued with God about his ability to speak, (God having chosen him to lead the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt), God appointed Aaron as his spokesman (cf. Ex. 4:16). Shortly after God nearly killed Moses for putting his wife’s displeasure above God’s demands, Aaron met Moses in the wilderness and this order was set in place. He went with Moses and spoke to the elders of Israel; the people briefly believed God’s message due to the signs performed. But the foremen of the sons of Israel soon blamed both Moses and Aaron for Pharaoh’s cruelty towards them. Their quota of bricks was now to be made with the added burden of having to gather the straw — they’d been beaten, and their own request to Pharaoh to lessen this burden was denied (cf. Ex. 5).

 

    Moses’ repeated excuse of being slow to speak falls on deaf ears as Aaron along with him is given a command for Israel and for Pharaoh to bring Israel out of Egypt (Ex. 6:13).  Aaron stood with Moses and the plagues were wrought to bring forth a grand exist from the land of bondage. Thus Aaron had a great responsibility before he ever became the first high priest.

   

 

An Overt Facilitator— the Golden Calf (Ex. 32:1-7)

 

 

   In Ex. 32 Aaron sins in making the Golden Calf. This is before the

the Tabernacle is finished and he is ordained High Priest in Lev. 8. This shows his weakness. The people said to him, “Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.”  That would not have been hard to answer:

 

Ex. 24:9-11 Here Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and 70 of the elders and they saw the God of Israel. (Made what Aaron did even worse!)

 

Ex. 24:12 God commanded Moses to come up to the mount and he went up with Joshua; the elders (vs.14) were told by Moses to wait below for them to return, and Aaron and Hur were to be in charge. They obviously were with the people. Moses was up on the mount 40 days and 40 nights. Both Aaron and Hur had the right answer— God put us in charge until Moses returns. Moreover, the glory of God could be seen as a fire on top of the Mountain (17).

 

Ex. 32:2  And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.”

Ex. 32:3  And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.”

Ex. 32:4  And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.“

Ex. 32:5  And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.”

 

1) Thus Aaron himself made the calf and in Ex. 32:5 he intended to combine this with the worship of the Lord.

 

2) He is more afraid of Moses than God (Ex. 32:22).

 

 

3) His complicity made God want to kill him (Ex. 32:24; De. 9:20).

 

 

4) His repulsive answer. It just made itself!

 

        Ex. 32:24  And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.”

 

 

   ANSWERS: Answers demonstrate how members “serve” God today: Emotional, Ridiculous as here, and Straight as in verse 21 where Moses held Aaron accountable.

 

 

   The Hebrew writer aptly stated that the Law made men high priests which have infirmities. Sins abound in Aaron’s life. All of this “before” he was appointed high priest (Lev. 8)

 

   Note: Ex. 32:19 is the point he enters the camp and sees their sin, and it says “as soon as” he sees this he smashes the two tables. His burning the calf, grinding it to powder, scattering the dust in brook that they drank from and making them drink the water is put in Ex. 32:20 as what immediately follows; De. 9:16 is the same point and he smashed the two tablets at the same time — i.e. when he sees this. In De. 9:18-20 there is the mention of a 40 day and 40 night fast between this and Moses making them drink the dust of the idol in their water containers (De. 9:21). Depending on where you put that 40 day and night fast, their being “unrestrained” could have continued for some time.

 

   God wanted destroy all Israel and start over with Moses (Ex. 32:10); later Moses said “The Lord was angry enough with Aaron to destroy  him; so I also prayed for Aaron at that time” (De. 9:20). Moses understood what danger Aaron was in for in Ex. 4:14 God would have killed Moses in His anger at one point.

 

5) Aaron repented and did as instructed: God told the Tribe of Levi to take their swords and execute God’s judgment on those not willing to repent — to kill every man his brother, friend and neighbor — about 3,000 men fell that day (Ex. 32:27-29). This was a test for the Levites and it brought a blessing (cf. 29, De. 33:9).

 

 

 

Aaron as High Priest

 

1.  Aaron became high priest having been forgiven of “much” (cf. Lk. 7:43, 47).

 

2. Aaron was Moses’ brother and first high priest (Ex. 28).

 

a. Aaron’s sons were chosen with him for the priesthood: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar (Ex. 28:1).

 

b. The tribe of Levi was chosen and given to Aaron to serve him in things of the Tabernacle (Nu. 3:6-9).

 

c. Each new high priest had to come from the lineage of Aaron of the tribe of Levi; Nu. 3:10 says it was their priesthood.

 

d. Lev. 8 marks the time of his ordination (Lev. 8:12).

 

 

When He Lost Two Foolish Sons (Lev. 10:3, 6-7)

 

Lev. 10 records how God killed Nadab and Abihu for offering strange fire to the Lord. When Aaron lost these two foolish sons he kept his mouth shut and was given this instruction: 

Lev 10:6  “And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.”

   Verse 3 tells why: “Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.”

 

   There’s nothing easy about seeing your own family punished for their own sins. You don’t let it interfere with your own service to God. This account produces a certain understanding as regards the duty of not separating God from His Word with “emotions” and rationalizations. You keep wrongful emotions, rationalizations and the world’s views from mixing with His judgments! 

 

   Honor God at all times! If a child should become unfaithful parents don’t throw church discipline out the window from arrogance (I Cor. 5:2, 13). And other siblings must not become destructive devils intent on blaming the rest of the family of being uncaring, unconcerned, or out of touch when they themselves keep on justifying the ungodly being ungodly themselves in doing so! (2 Thes. 3:6,14; I Cor. 5:11).  If it is a parent or parents or grandparents who fall away then “honor your mother and father” doesn’t become an excuse to not honor God by still associating with them. If some of your family falls away from God and they die in that state they are lost. Keep your mouth shut and don’t try to finagle some way to get them into heaven and out of eternal punishment (cf. Heb. 10:26-27,31,39). A lot of damage is done by doing so! God is not sanctified in that kind of nonsense; He is not glorified in that kind of nonsense! One can do damage to the Truth while influencing others to think that they can fall away and also escape God’s eternal damnation.

 

 

With Miriam He Criticized Moses for the Wrong Reasons (Nu. 12).

  

 

   Weaknesses and sins abound here: Num 12:1  And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.” Num 12:2  And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.”

 

1)  Nu. 12:1 says “what” but Nu. 12:2 says “why” they did it! Some of the most destructive plots come from brothers and sisters out to supplant one another. They use “diversion” to draw attention away from the real point of their attack. You perceive this in some at times and think why did they say that?

 

2) Moses didn’t have a Jewish wife. His wife’s father was Jethro and Moses was told by him how to judge Israel with the appointment of judges (Ex. 18:13-27).

 

3) Miriam appears to have led this and Aaron should have stopped it. This is the “family strife” thing! They could not find fault with Moses’ leadership or the installation of the 70 elders who were to help Moses bear the burden (Nu. 11:16-17,25) —- so they chose to criticize his wife rather deal with their envy and pride. Miriam was a prophetess; Aaron had an exalted position as high priest. He let his sister drag him into this! 

 

4) Consider a smoke screen by attacking a person’s mate! Will some attack their brother’s wife out of envy?

 

5) See the anger of the Lord (Nu. 12:9-10). Take note if this is one of your ways of dealing with issues!

 

 

Aaron Is a Man Who Can Acknowledge His Sin (Nu. 12:11-12)

 

 

1) This is one of those “I let it go too far” things! How does he feel for going along with the strife, and not stopping himself and her, when he sees his sister with leprosy? 

 

2) Num 12:11  And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.” Num 12:12  Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb.”

 

 

Along With Moses He was Envied by Others (Ps. 106:16)

 

 

Psalm 106:16 (KJV) “ They envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the Lord.”

 

 

Took his stand between the dead and living -- stopped the plague that came from grumbling over the death of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Nu. 16:48).

 

1) He learned the hard way about staying on the right side of disputes!

 

 

Sinned Along With Moses at Kadesh (Nu. 20:12, 1-3, 8-11).

 

 

Numbers 20:12 (KJV) “And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”

 

Psa 106:32  They angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:”

Psa 106:33  Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.”

 

 

   Moses had a similar situation before and handled it well, and without this kind of anger (Ex. 17). These are two different places. The first time the situation occurred it is in Rephidim at the rock in Horeb (Ex. 17). Here the place is named two names: God named it “Massah” (“test”) and “Meribah” (“strife”). Moses blessing of Levi includes this, De. 33:8.

 

1) They’d just lost their sister Miriam, were provoked by the peoples’ murmuring and Moses spoke rashly: “And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also” (Nu. 20:10-11).

 

 

2) Don’t fall in with another’s angry words. Aaron let Moses get by with “WE.” There are times you must say don’t include me in that statement!

 

 

3) This was still evil though neither were “prone” to the wrong kind of anger; the penalty of not allowing him or Moses to go over into the Promised Land is God’s punishment (Nu. 20:12-13; Ps. 99:6-8).

 

 

4) You see your own weakness to sin with anger when you fail where you have succeeded in the past!

 

 

 

Death of the First High Priest

 

   Here at the end of Nu. 20 the death of the first high priest is recorded;  Aaron dies on Mt. Hor and Eleazar is consecrated high priest:  Numbers 20:22-29. Each new high priest had to come from the lineage of Aaron. The next would be Aaron’s son, Eleazar.

 

By Bob Lovelace

 

 

The Truth in Print Vol. 20 Issue 4, May 2014

A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,

2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)

 

Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com

 

High Priests Under the Mosaic Law (Part Two): Eleazar, Phinehas and Eli.

 

    Part One ended with the death of Aaron the first High Priest. Aaron dies on Mt. Hor and Eleazar is consecrated high priest (Numbers 20:22-29). Each new high priest had to come from the lineage of Aaron. The next would be Aaron’s son, Eleazar.

 

Eleazar: Became High Priest Having Seen God’s Wrath On His Own Family.  

 

   Eleazar:

1. Was consecrated to minister with his brothers as a priest (Ex. 28:1; Lev. 8).

2. Watched two of his brothers die in a fire from God because they did not follow God's instructions (Lev. 10:1-7).

3. He obeyed God and was made chief of the leaders of the Levites, and had oversight over those who performed the duties of the tabernacle (Nu. 3:32; 4:16).

4. Consecrated high priest on Mt. Hor at the time of Aaron’s death (Nu. 20:23-29).

5. With Joshua and others he helped apportioned the land of Canaan to Israel (Nu. 34:17-29).

 

 

There Can Be Vast Differences In

“Family” Members.

 

 

   If you are faithful you know the difference between yourself and your own brother or sister in your own family who is not faithful!

 

   What Moses said to Aaron when God killed his two sons: “This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace” (Lev. 10:3). God’s stern message applied also to Eleazar and Ithamar: And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled. And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses” (Lev. 10:6-7).  This was not to interfere with their service.

 

   There’s nothing easy about seeing “family” punished; there is to be the understanding that it does not interfere with your own faithfulness and service in any way. Faithful parents don’t throw church discipline out the window if the rebellion is from one of their own who is a Christian. Other siblings and members are not to become destructive plotters blaming others in the family who apply God’s rules of discipline of being unloving, not caring about family, etc. when they are the ones justifying the ungodly being ungodly themselves in doing so! Moreover, if it is a parent or parents who fall away then “honor your father and mother” doesn’t become an excuse to not honor God by still associating with them (2 Th. 3:6; I Cor. 5:11).

 

   If some of your family falls away from God and they die in that state they are lost. Keep your mouth shut and don’t try to finagle some way to get them into heaven and out of eternal punishment (Heb. 10:26-27, 31). A lot of damage to the Truth is done in doing so; others are influenced to think they too can escape Hell when they can’t. God is not glorified in that kind of nonsense. When such things as this happen you do not let emotions, rationalizations and the world’s false religious views filled with such keep you from giving God the honor due Him.

 

 

Phinehas: Jealous with God’s jealousy!

 

  

   When Phinehas turned God’s wrath and plague from Israel for harlotry with the daughters of Moab by executing Zimri and Cozbi (Nu. 25:8), God said: “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy” (Nu. 25:11).

 

  This is recorded in Ps. 106: 28-31 as “works reckoned for righteousness” which is the very thing James speaks of in James 2:24, 26!

 

   For his zeal he was promised that his priestly line would not end (Nu. 25:13).

   He was shamed along with the ten chiefs of the tribes West of Jordan concerning their false assumption about the altar “Witness” set up on frontier of Canaan by Reuben, Gad and ½ tribe Manasseh east of Jordan (Joshua 22). Here you see a great man’s weakness where there was no apology for accepting “hear say” that almost got them into war with the tribes East of Jordan. Their charge that the “whole” congregation had seen an unfaithful act in this proved the whole was wrong (Josh. 22:16). A good lesson on a majorities view being  nothing more than hear say! The stated purpose for the altar is clear — it was not an idol — it was to keep from letting someone divide them from their brethren on the West of Jordan (Josh. 22:26-27).

  

   Phinehas became high priest after the death of his father Eleazar (cf. Josh. 24:33). He ministered before the Ark in days of the Judges (Judges 20:28).

 

 

Eli: Honored His Degenerate Priestly Sons Above God.

 

 

   The first thing you read about Eli is not good. He thought Hanna was drunk when she was praying: “Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.  And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee” (I Sam. 1:13-14). Those who have worthless children are often  too quick to want to see the same in others!

 

   His sons were “worthless” men (I Sam. 2:12); they employed servants to use threats and force to satisfy their lust for the meat of the offerings taking more than was rightfully theirs — thus despising the offerings to the Lord (I Sam. 2:12-17).  Eli should have punished and removed his own sons.

 

   We are told when Eli was very old that these sons were committing fornication with the women who served at the doorway of the tabernacle (I Sam. 2:22). Phinehas had a wife, I Sam. 4:19, thus he was guilty of adultery (the penalty for adultery under the Law was death); all of this was known to all and circulated (I Sam. 2:23-24). He gave them a mild warning but they did not listen “for the Lord desired to put them to death” (I Sam. 2:25). Too late! God swore he would kill his two sons in one day and did (I Sam. 2:34, 4:11).

 

   A man of God came and accused Eli of despising God’s sacrifice and offering saying, “Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering ...and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?( I Sam. 2:29). Thus he,Eli, was benefitting himself as well from this great sin. God told him these two sons would die in one day and they did (I Sam. 2:34, 4:11). His threat that He would break his strength and that of his father’s house was later carried out by Doeg when he slew the priests at Nob, where only Abiathar escaped to David (I Sa. 22:17-20; see also I Kings 2:27).   

 

   Eli’s other sin was that he did not restrain his sons: For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not” (I Sam. 3:13).

 

   His reply to Samuel: “And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good” (I Sam. 3:18).  What is missing at the end of Eli’s life is what he should and could have done but didn’t. He sinned along with his sons and let his sons ruin their lives and others.

 

  Eli was 98 years old when Israel went to war with the Philistines at Aphek. Having lost the first battle they brought the Ark from Shiloh accompanied by Hophni and Phinehas. They fought again, Israel was defeated with a great slaughter, the Ark was captured and Hophni and Phinehas were killed (I Sam. 4:11).

 

   Eli waited at Shiloh trembling for fear of bad news (I Sam. 4:13). He knew his sons would die just as God had said.

 

   When a messenger having fled from the battle got to Eli he said: “Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.  And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years( I Sam. 4:17-18).

 

By Bob Lovelace

 

The Truth in Print Vol. 20 Issue 5, June 2014

A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,

2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)

 

Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com

 

High Priests Under the Mosaic Law (Part Three):

Others Including Caiaphas and Annas:

 

    Thus far we have had lessons on Aaron, Eleazar, Phinehas and Eli. Needless to say the point made at the beginning that these were mere men  — some of their sins have been mentioned with applications to us today (cf. Heb. 7:26-28). 

 

Ahimelech: A victim of “circumstance” for God had pronounced judgment upon Eli’s house.

 

1.  Ahimelech was the son of Ithimar who was a son of Aaron (Lev. 10:6, I Ch. 24:2-4). Ahimelech was a high priest during the reign of David. He gave the showbread and the sword of Goliath to David at Nob (cf. 1 Samuel 21:1-15; Mark 2:26).

2. Saul falsely accused Ahimelech of conspiracy (cf. I Sam. 22).

3. Wicked Doeg killed Ahimelech and the priests at Nob along with its inhabitants for Saul (I Sam.22) – thus carrying out God’s threat to Eli (I Sam. 2:31). Only Abiathar escaped to David (I Sam. 22).

   Read again God’s threat to Eli and about Eli’s honoring his sons above God (Lesson Two). Understand that this man, Ahimelech, lived ready to die for God carries out His threats. Thus, although a just man himself he was murdered by wicked Doeg.

 

Abiathar: Sedition!

 

   Abiathar was one of the sons of Ahimelech (I Sam. 22:20). When Doeg killed the priests at Nob Abiathar escaped to David with an ephod containing the Urim and Thummim that David used to consult God (I Sam. 23). This gave David the advantage over Saul. He is said to be the 10th high priest and 4th in descent from Eli. When David became King Abiathar remained priest.

   We also find Zadok of the house of Eleazar serving as priest (cf. I Kings 4:4; 2 Sam. 8:17; 2 Sam. 15).

   Later Abiathar was banished to Anathoth by Solomon for his part in siding with Adonijah’s attempt to take the throne before Solomon is anointed king; the priesthood passed from the house of Ithamar (Lev. 10:6; 1Sa_2:30-36; 1Ki_1:19; 1Ki_2:26, 1Ki_2:27); Zadok now became sole high priest. This fulfilled the prophecy of I Sam. 2:27-36 that Eli’s descendants would not continue to serve as priests.

 

Zadok: Loyalty!

 

   Zadok was the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron (Lev. 10:6; I Ch. 24:2-4). When David fled from Absalom, Zadok came to David, and the Levites, carrying the ark of the covenant (2 Sam. 15:24f). Abiathar also came to David. Both were returned to Jerusalem with the ark and served as informers along with Hushai the Archite (2 Sam. 25).  Zadok and Nathan anointed Solomon as the next king (I Kings 1:38-39).  Abiathar was the high priest and Joab the commander of David’s army. When they conspired against Solomon and followed Adonijah ( I Kings 1:7) in his quest for the throne they were replaced with Zadok and Benaiah as the commander of the army (I Kings 2:35).

 

Azariah: More afraid of God than a king!

 

   Azariah was high priest under king Uzziah (the king who sought God until he was strong). Azariah rebuked king Uzziah for arrogantly entering the temple in order to burn incense on the altar himself in the priest’s stead (2 Ch. 26:16-21). We are told that he was not alone; he was helped by 80 valiant men (priests) who opposed Uzziah — as they rebuked the corrupt king in his anger God brought leprosy upon him as he stood beside the altar of incense. They hurried the king out of there!

   Unlike Miriam in her rebellion (Nu. 12;10) Uzziah had to bear his punishment until his death, and dwelt the rest of his life in a separate house; his son conducted the government for him (also 2 Kings 15:5).

   When Hezekiah became king he reopened the temple and Azariah again served as high priest (2 Ch. 31:13).

  

 

Hilkiah: Didn’t know what it meant to have lost God’s Word!

 

    I can remember when I was a young man brother H.E. McCaskill preached a sermon titled “The Book That Was Lost.” He found the book of the Law as the Temple was being repaired during king Josiah’s reign (2 Kings 22:8-10). Hilkiah gave the Book to Shaphan the scribe who in turn read it in the presence of king Josiah. The king was terrified as he heard why God’s wrath burned against them! He heard one time and understood the matter of obedience and that their fathers had not obeyed! Hilkiah and others were sent to Huldah the prophetess to find out what this meant — they learned that Judah had reached the point of no return so far as God’s wrath — Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed. Yet, he was told God would punish Judah after his death (2 Kings 22).

 

   What priests should do:

   Mal 2:4  And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

   Mal 2:5  My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.

   Mal 2:6  The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.

   Mal 2:7  For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

 

Others

 

Seraiah ~ Slain by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 25:18-21); Father of Ezra (Ezra 7:1).

 

Eliashib ~ Helped to rebuild the walls during the days of Nehemiah’s governorship (Neh. 3:1).

 

Joshua  ~  The temple work started and stopped under Ezra. For about sixteen years the temple stood unfinished and ignored. Under Haggai about 520 B.C. the Lord stirred up Zerubbabel the governor, and Joshua the high priest, with all the remnant and the Temple work began again and was completed (Haggai 1-2).

The angel of the Lord admonished Joshua and prophesied of our High Priest, Jesus Christ (Zech. 3:6-10; Heb. 3:1).

 

Caiaphas and Annas: Delivered Up Christ to Be Crucified!

 

 

   1. Consulted with others and falsely accused Jesus of blasphemy to put Him to death (Matt. 26:3-4, 62-68; 27:1-2; Jo. 18:13; Matt. 27:11-20).

   2. Mocked Him with others while He was on the cross (Matt. 27:41-43).

   3. When some of the “watch” securing the tomb told them of the things of the Resurrection, they bribed the soldiers and told them to lie (Matt. 28:11-15).

   4. Told by Peter: “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:10-12).

Note:

Joh 18:12  Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

Joh 18:13  And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

Joh 18:14  Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

 

Note: Thayer ~ “Annas” 1) high priest of the Jews, elevated to the priesthood by Quirinius the governor of Syria c. 6 or 7 A.D., but afterwards deposed by Valerius Gratus, the procurator of Judaea, who put in his place, first Ismael, son of Phabi, and shortly after Eleazar, son of Annas. From the latter, the office passed to Simon; from Simon c. 18 A.D. to Caiaphas; but Annas even after he had been put out of office, continued to have great influence. —  “Caiaphas” 1) a high priest of the Jews appointed to that office by Valerius Gratus, governor of Judaea, after removal of Simon, son of Camith, A.D. 18, and was removed A.D. 36 by Vitellius, governor of Syria, who appointed Jonathan, son of Ananus (Annus, father-in-law of Caiaphas), his successor.

   They with others later threatened Peter and John (Acts 4:6). We are told Caiaphas killed himself about 35 A.D.

 

Characteristics of High Priests under the Mosaic Covenant

 

Heb 5:2  Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

Heb 5:3  And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

 

   In Aaron we get a view of his “whole” service, and even before he became high priest. He sinned along with Moses. Eli honored his sons above God, met a tragic end in hearing of his sons deaths and knowing before hand of the destruction of his family. Phinehas is faithful. Zadok is loyal. Caiaphas and Annas had their great parts in the betrayal of our Lord. They were men with weaknesses and often their lives were filled with sin and the severity of the punishment sin brings.

 

A Royal Priesthood, I Pet. 2:9

 

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Am I the “priest” I should be?

What does our priestly fraternity look like here in our local church? 

 

By Bob Lovelace

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