RPG Adults
THE TWOFOLD PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1
Hebrews 5:1-10
Exodus 27:21
“… it shall be a statute for ever …”
THE TWOFOLD PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST
The office of the high priest was a type of Christ. The Jews were familiar with the priesthood of Aaron. It is compared also with the priesthood of Melchizedek. This comparison is made of the two orders of priests and each has a parallel to the priesthood of Christ. There is a lesson here for believers: Christ is the ultimate High Priest.
The picture of the Aaronic priesthood as the text says is that every high priest is taken from among men. The priesthood after the order of Aaron was instituted during the time of Exodus. The Lord commanded Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons to be priests. He declared that the priest’s office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute (Exod 29:9). The sons of Aaron and their descendants who were consecrated priests were required to be without any physical blemish. Like the lamb that was offered for sacrifice, that requirement was symbolic of the perfect holiness of Christ.
The whole tribe of Levi was set apart for the service of the Lord. All priests were taken from them and when the inheritance of the land was given to the tribes of Israel they were scattered among them. They did not have any individual heritage as the others (Deut 10:8-9; Num 3:5-9). The origin and duties of the Aaronic priesthood are thus clear from the Mosaic Law. The high priest had to come from that particular family and they were to offer gifts and sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. Christ could reasonably bear with the ignorant, showing compassion on them who are out of the way.
THOUGHT: Priests were ordained of men to serve in the things of God.
PRAYER: Father, may my hope always be our Great High Priest Jesus Christ.