And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. Reverend Father as a full title is similar to Anglican or Eastern Orthodox usage, in contrast to practice in some other English-speaking nations. The Levites were officially the landless other. Hence it appears, that the burning of incense, as other parts of the priest's service, was by lot; and that they were new priests, or such who had never burnt incense, that cast lots for it: for it is a tradition (k), that no man ever burnt incense twice; the reason assigned for it is, because it makes a man rich; and therefore that every one might partake of the blessing in their turns, new ones were called unto it: whether Zacharias had ever burnt incense before, and whether he now did it in the morning or evening, is not certain. 31-36). "the president said unto them (the priests), come and cast lots who shall slay, who shall sprinkle, who shall remove the ashes from the innermost altar, who shall remove the ashes from the candlestick, who shall bring up the parts to the ascent of the altar, &c. "he says to them, O ye new ones, to the incense come, and cast lots; and they cast lots, and he is worthy, whom he accounts worthy--and he that is accounted worthy of the incense, takes a vessel, and the vessel is like to a large golden bushel, that holds three kabs, and a bowl in the middle of it, full and heaped up with incense, with a cover, and a sort of a linen cloth put over it. He obtained it in the Creation, before the world was formed, as in Genesis 1:26, 27, 28. Surprisingly, Aaron was not shaken by the anger and accusation of Moses. In chapters 7-10, the writer to the Hebrews reaches the climax of his arguments for the superiority of the priesthood of Christ. While Josephus and Seder Olam Zuta each mention 18 high priests, the genealogy given in 1 Chronicles 6:315 gives twelve names, culminating in the last high priest Seriah, father of Jehozadak. Now, this same Aaron is Israels high priest. Like other priesthood offices in the LDS Church, high priests are organized into quorums. This had to do with taking away the iniquity of the holy things which the sons of Israel consecrated, so that they may be accepted before the LORD (v. 38). We must learn to love and fear Him for these powerfully personal attributes, understanding them through the gospel as we adopt them as our . The priesthood of the New Testament is composed of all who are in Christ. This is implied in the Book of Hebrews. He loved the Israelites so much that he would not settle only for Gods promise of His personal presence and blessing, but for nothing less than His presence with His people. May God grant that we, like the Israelites of old, might learn from the failures of the old institutions that God always has a better way. Many vocational offices explain this process in detail (the Diocese of Fall River has a good explanation, for example), but I'll try to explain it as best I know.. Before that, there are a few things to keep in mind: There are two different "tracks": the diocesan track, where you are ordained as part of a diocese, and the religious track, where you are ordained as part of a religious order. Although Peter, James, and John had conferred the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and bestowed on them apostolic authority, the two men had not yet been authorized to follow the pattern applied by John the Baptist during the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood. Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Bible Answer: This brief study explains who were the Levites and the priests in the Bible. In the Old Testament tabernacle and temple, there were places where only the . Such practice is ignorant of (or worse yet, disobedient to) the fact that with Christ came a New Covenant, as well as a new priesthood, and that this priesthood includes every true believer, not a select few. Before the death of Nadab and Abihu (as seen above) and after it as well, I suspect, the people were glad to let someone else get close to God. He provides the following lines of evidence: The conclusion to the argument of these chapters in Hebrews is found in verses 19-25 of chapter 10: Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Nadab and Abihu must have agreed among themselves concerning their actions, for they both sinned and both were put to death. And this was not only the case on the day of atonement, to which these rules belong; but every day in the daily service and sacrifice, when the same rules were observed, as appears from the rubric of the daily sacrifice: (f). The purpose of these stones is given in verse 30: and Aaron shall carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD continually (Exod. The priesthood of ancient Israel was the class of male individuals, who, according to the Hebrew Bible, were patrilineal descendants from Aaron (the elder brother of Moses), who served in the Tabernacle, Solomons Temple and Second Temple until the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. They have the essential role of mediating God's redemption to all the people ( Num. Moses had only told the Levites to go kill their 'brothers, friends and neighbors." (1) Priesthood is bestowed upon all those who are a member of the right family. It is obtained by making incisions in the tree, and the gum flows out. Their temple role included animal sacrifice.The priests (Hebrew kohanim) are viewed as continuing in the Kohen . Exod. So that we frequently find the expression, or one that is similar, that he (or they) may minister as priests to Me (cf. The Earliest High Priests: Worthy Servants. Priests are colloquially addressed as Father (abbreviated as Fr.) before either their true name or last name, even their nickname. Because of a lack of historical data, this list is incomplete and there may be gaps. The relationship between Moses and Aaron is also discussed in the Talmud. Moses exemplifies the change which God wants to see in all of us. Just what is involved in the ministry of Aaron, and of his sons? Often in the New Testament we find the ministry of the New Testament saint couched in the sacrificial language of the Old Testament because we who are in Christ are His priests (cf. This is clearly taught elsewhere in the New Testament. Hebrews 7. 2 m He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself n is beset with weakness. 19:6). It was, however, clearly designated as an act of direct disobedience to Gods commands. In the text which we are going to study in this lesson two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, were struck dead for exercising their priestly duties in a way that dishonored God. Before we consider these there are several New Testament principles which will guide us in differentiating between the Aaronic priesthood of Leviticus and the priesthood which is described in the New Testament. First, the ancient Israelites would have been impressed with the prominence of the priesthood in Gods order, and with Aaron, as their first high priest. The worlds hope is a counterfeit hope, it is only a delusion. 2:27-29, NIV). In chapter 29 instructions for the consecration and ordination of Aaron and his sons are meticulously outlined. Moses loved God so much that he wanted to be near Him, even to see His undiminished glory, if possible. 16-20) because they provide us with the backdrop for understanding the consternation of Moses when the sin offering cannot be found. 5-7). Why were the Levites not given an inheritance? The expression lest you die is often found in this context (cf. Thus, in chapter 10, the application of Christs work in the believers actions is described in the priestly vocabulary of the Old Testament priesthood: since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. I think that is one of the principle reasons why Christians today want to have a small priestly class, and clergy, as it were, who will represent them before God, and who will relieve them of the responsibility of getting to close to God, and having to pay the higher price of purity, discipline, and devotion which this entails. Priesthood is not something which men can bestow upon other men, or even which the church can bestow; it is the result of the new birth, which constitutes one to be a child of God and thus to be in Christ. Many denominations and cults err here. 10-13). The first question which we must ask, as we seek to discover the meaning of these chapters, is, What did this mean to the ancient Israelites, who first read this divinely inspired account, penned by Moses? I believe that the Israelites would have been impressed with several truths. Some traditionists have wondered why Aaron, and not Moses, was appointed high priest. 18:15), but Aaron is the great priest, who is the foreshadow of Christ, our Great High Priest. A brief summary of these two chapters will show the close relationship they have with each other: Present one bull, two rams, unleavened bread, cakes, oil (vv. a high priest of the Jews who presided over the assembly that condemned Jesus to death. Why has the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers been set aside, both doctrinally and practically, so that an elite priestly class still performs the religious rituals for the laity? The meat was missing, and Moses seems to have been angered at the thought that these two sons had also disobeyed Gods instructions, and that they, too, might be smitten for their sin. Aaron and his sons were chosen to be priests for Israel. There was to be no laity and clergy distinction. Anyone who wants to risk their life in such occupations has my full support. There are a number of principles of priesthood to be found in the Book of Leviticus which apply to both Old and New Testament priests. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near (Heb. And you shall speak to all the skillful persons whom I have endowed with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aarons garments to consecrate him, that he may minister as priest to Me. Who was the high priest when Jesus was born? Elsewhere in the Bible, Methuselah is mentioned in genealogies in 1 Chronicles and the Gospel of Luke. Verse Concepts. In chapter 8 we read of a better ministry. In chapter 9 we are told of one of the results of the high priestly ministry of Christ: For if the blood of goats and bulls and ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Amen (Rev. To be a priest, one had to be born into the office. The account Maimonides gives (i) of this matter, is as follows. He wants Gods promise to be present with His people. The answer has been found in an indication that Moses was rejected because of his original unwillingness when he was called by God. The standards which God set for the priesthood and which men failed to meet are those which Christ has met fully. This chapter highlights Moses, who, until after the ordination of Aaron and his sons, functions as Israels priest. Thus, the meat which could have been eaten was burned up, just as the uneaten portion would have been anyway. It was to be engraved with a seal, reading, Holy to the Lord (v. 36). When all human hope is lost, men still have the promises of God, backed by His power and by His character. How did Moses receive the Melchizedek Priesthood? Which two people are appointed as heads of the Tabernacle? St. Peter's calling the Christian faithful a "royal priesthood" (1 Pet. 28:12). Moses was probably rightly motivated, but Aarons explanation prevailed: Behold, this very day they presented their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD. Introduction Have you ever watched someone performing a very dangerous task and gone away smiling at the thought that this person is risking his neck, rather than you? Thus, much of the Aaronic Priesthood, which we find defined and described in the Book of Leviticus, is simply carried over into the New Testament church, with only superficial changes or alterations. Melchizedek is an old Canaanite name meaning My King Is [the god] Sedek or My King Is Righteousness (the meaning of the similar Hebrew cognate). As they passed into the court from the Holy Place they struck a large instrument called the Magrephah, which summoned all the ministers to their places. Aaron's descendants served as the priests in Israel, ministering in the tabernacle and, later, the temple, primarily as mediators between man and God. 9:13-14, emphasis mine). All the priests of the houses of the fathers, of the day, go into the paved chamber, after the pillar of the morning has ascended, and clothe themselves with the priestly garments; and the president who is over the lots is with them, and they stand in a circle; and the president takes a mitre from off the head of one of them, and goes round with it, and the man from whom he begins to number, and they cast lots, as has been explained----how do they cast lots? (See Girdlestones) May God grant us to see, and to believe that the better way has been finished by our Lord Jesus Christ, who is all sufficient, and who is worthy of all of our hope and trust. Silence pervaded the temple, while within, the clouds of incense rose up before Jehovah. What did the priest have to do before entering the Holy of Holies? It remained on earth until the time of Moses, who received it under the hand of his father-in-law, Jethro and it would have been given to the Israelites if they had been worthy of it and had not hardened their hearts, however righteous Nephites held the priesthood called after the order of the Son of God because of . In response to wicked priests (Hophni and Phineas), God promised to raise up a new priesthood. (Heb. It was not until Jesus Christ came as Israels Messiah and Great High Priest that the sins of men were atoned for, once for all. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. We think that success stories build the hope of Christians, but the Bible suggests otherwise. (n) The temple was one, and the court another, for Zacharias went out of the court (or outward room) where all the people were (and therefore they are said to be without) and into the temple. Any system which had an imperfect priesthood could surely not bring the people to perfection. In our efforts to maintain the crucial distinctions drawn by the cross of Christ, we may neglect to give due attention to the many similarities which exist between the former Aaronic priesthood and the priesthood of all believers today. The purpose of these offerings is to make preparations for the revelation of the glory of God to the people: And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD has commanded you to do, that the glory of the LORD may appear to you (Lev. In a curious incident in the life of Abraham, a priest-king by the name of Melchizedek is introduced: And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. 3). A man must hold the Melchizedek priesthood and hold the priesthood office of elder before he may become a high priest. Principle 1: The Old Testament Aaronic priesthood has been fulfilled and rendered obsolete by Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest.
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