Priesthood in the Old Testament

Last Sunday (21st) we discussed the priests of the Old Testament and their diverse roles in the life of the Israelite community. As we mentioned, there is no one place to go to get a succinct philosophy of a priest's function. But we can say that if the Levitical Code was given to the people to ensure they could maintain a relationship with their God and he with them, then the priesthood served that purpose. Indeed their inescapable link to the sacrifices and law makes them the human representatives of the code.

We can think of them as the best example of what every child of Israel should have been. They were to know the law inside and out, be holy and obedient in all that they did, and daily live in service to others. They were to hold accountable not only the leaders of Israel but all it people. In their hands they literally held the key to holiness and atonement for the people as they offered the sacrifices and performed the rites of their office.

The simplest analogy we can use for the priesthood is that of a bridge linking God and his people. Because of this function they were set apart, chosen specifically by God to serve him and serve his people. On top of what has been already mentioned the priest was the presence of God among the people. That is why they wore incredibly ornate vestments and held themselves to higher standards of appearance.

Reading through the Old Testament we can see how the priests functioned under Moses and Joshua, the judges, the kings and even in exile. Their fundamental role never changed, but the way they carried out that role sometimes did, as they adjusted to what God and the people were doing. It is evident that when the priests held the standard of holiness and honor to God the people of Israel prospered. When they failed in their duties the people left God and suffered.

While the leadership of Israel did not fall only on their shoulders, the priesthood was called to task and judged by the prophets when they were poor shepherds for the flock. It is evident as well that being a priest did not keep one from fulfilling other roles as some were rulers (Melchizedek), prophets (Samuel & Ezekiel), social reformers (Jehoiada & Ezra) and even fighters (Phinehas). All were judges for the people making decisions with the guidance of God.

Here are just some of the passages depicting the actions and functions of the priests of the Old Testament:

• Exodus 28:30 - The High Priest held the Urim and Thummim, which were a means of seeking God's decision-making (1 Samuel 23 - David seeks God's decision through the ephod of the priest)
• Numbers 25:6-11 - Phinehas the priest kills an Israelite man for his sin and God proclaims that the priest was as jealous as he is about his honor
• Deuteronomy 20:1-2 - God wants the priests to address the armies right before war
• Joshua 14:1 - Eleazar the priest is involved in allotting the land to the people after they conquered Canaan
• 1 Samuel 2 - Eli's sons mistreat the people and abuse their rights as priests
• 1 Samuel 14:36-37 - Saul is cautioned by a priest to ask God for his wisdom in making a decision, but God refuses to answer
• 1 Samuel 21:9 - David receives Goliath's sword from a priest who had kept it behind the ephod (were priest's also curators of Israel's relics of faith?)
• 1 Kings 1:45 - Nathan the prophet, along with Zadok the priest, anoint Solomon as king
• 2 Kings 12:2 - Jehoiada the priest instructs the young king Joash throughout his reign bringing prosperity to the nation
• 2 Chronicles 15:3 - The people find them at a point without a priest to instruct on the law and, consequently without the presence of God
• 2 Chronicles 26 - Azariah the high priest, along with the other priests, stands up to King Uzziah and God afflicts him with leprosy
• Jeremiah 20 - Passhur the priest fights against Jeremiah, God's prophet, disputing his message and having him beaten
• Malachi 2:7 - The priest was supposed to be the messenger of God, bringing knowledge and instruction to the people

In just these few passages we see the power of God's chosen priests and just how vital was their role in his kingdom. Where do you look in the New Testament to find how we, as Christ's royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), continue to fulfill the purpose of the priesthood? In what ways do we take up the mantle of the priest, as our Savior did (Hebrews 7)?

This will be our discussion next Sunday (28th).

Stay Holy,

Len

Sacrifices Under the New Covenant

We merely scratched the surface last Sunday with regards to sacrifices in the New Testament. There is no way we can cover all the ground in one class, but hopefully we opened up the horizon and showed how crucial an understanding of the old sacrificial system is to understanding the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and our own daily sacrifices.

The New Testament writers and the early church grounded much of their theology and practices in their foundation of the Law of Moses. When they spoke of the sacrifice Christ made they knew exactly what sacrifice meant to them as a people. We do not have that foundation unless we know and understand what was going on in the Levitical code and how the sacrifices functioned.

The bottom line is that the animal sacrifices (and others) were a way to forgive sins so that the people of Israel could continue a relationship with their God. Through his grace and mercy, God allowed the sacrifices to wash away trangressions and grant his people righteousness and holiness. Without this system they stood condemned in thier sin and God was not just in punishing sin.

Christ's death on the cross fulfilled the requirements of the old law by punishing sin and allowing all those who believe in him to be justified in the face of God. We can enter his presence because of the blood of Christ. And he was the perfect sacrifice that never has to be offered again.

Here are just some of the passges that speak of Jesus' sacrifice and what it accomplished:

• Romans 3:21-26; 8:1-4
• Hebrews 10
• I John 2:2, 4:10
• Anywhere the blood of Christ is mentioned
• Anywhere redemption, ransom, and deliverance are brought up

But the New Testament is also clear that even though Christ's death occured when the large majority of people who lived were not around (either having already died or having not yet been born) everyone who has lived or will live can participate in that death. His sacrifice reaches back in time and forgives those who had faith in God and those of us who live under the new covenant participate in his death and resurrection through our baptism.

Here are a couple of the passages that speak of our participation in Christ's sacrifice:

• Romans 6:1-7
• Ephesians 5:1-2
• Anywhere baptism and the Lord's Supper are discussed

On top of participating in the actual death of Jesus, we are also asked to offer up daily sacrifices to our God. We do this for the some of the same reasons the Israelites offered, our relationship with God and our thankfulness for what he has given us. We no longer slaughter animals, but we do give of what God has given us and we should keep the same priorities of giving sacrifices that cost us, that are perfect and unblemished, and that show our trust in his power to provide. God accepts these sacrifices because of our humble spirit and the love we have for him and others. Without that attitude our giving is hollow and meaningless to God.

• Acts 10:3-6
• Romans 12:1
• Philippians 4:18
• Hebrews 13:16

We must always remember that not only does Christ's death on the cross define who we are, but Christ taught that greatness in the kingdom is dependent upon our servant nature. The first will be last and the last first, and the greatest among us will be a servant to all. Service and sacrifice are what mark those who belong to the kingdom of God and those who live by the new covenant.

Next Sunday we will begin discussing the priesthood of Leviticus and their role in God's nation. Please be reading Leviticus 7:28-10:20 in preparation.

Stay Holy,

Len

The Old and the New - Sacrifices Today

We missed a week of class, but that does not mean we will skip over our topic. I will make up the week some where, some how. Last Sunday we were going to explore the connection between the old covenant (Law of Moses) and the new covenant (Law of Christ). Where are the points at which they meet and one flows from the other? Where are the points where they diverge and one goes a different way?

What about the new covenant is taken right out of the old? For instance, the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. How is it similar to the sacrifices of the old covenant? How is it different?

The week before I put a bunch of ideas up on the board and we came to the conclusion that the old law, especially the sacrificial code, was based on grace. God is the one who holds the power to forgive sins, not the blood of animals, therefore it is God's grace to forgive that makes the sacrifices mean anything. We all admit that grace is the foundation of the new covenant, but we often fail to see its importance in the old. Remember the God of heaven is the God of both covenants, why should we expect one to be based on deeds and the other on faith or grace?

So if we often downplay the role of grace in the old law, do we exaggerate its role in the new? In other words, do we downplay the role of obedience and submission?

These are the things I would like to discuss, now on the blog as well in class on Sunday. Leave a comment below and I will respond. Start listing those verses and passages in the New Testament that correspond to what we have been talking about in class with regards to sacrifices. Specifically think about Christ's sacrifice, our participation in his sacrifice, and our daily sacrifices.

I am looking forward to our discussion on Sunday.

Stay Holy,
Len