A REVELATON OF....... THE 3 PRIESTHOODS

THE PRIESTHOOD OF AARON

With the growth into a nation, a new type of priesthood was required. Gone were the simple family relationships. Now the priesthood had to minister to millions of people.

As a written language had been acquired from the Egyptians, information that had formally had to be passed down orally from generation to generation could now be recorded in written form. Hence the capacity now existed for the people to record large amounts of information.

THE LAW

In the perfect timing of God the situation now existed for a new priesthood, one based on recorded law that could be available and understood by a large number of people. Of course, because it was in written form, God could lay out in much greater detail the way in which He desired His people to live.

I am advised that “according to the Talmud there are 613 mitzvoth ("commandments") in the Torah. There are 248 positive mitzvoth and 365 negative mitzvoth given supplemented by seven mitzvoth legislated by the rabbis of antiquity.”

Obviously, these would not have been possible to memorise – with my memory anyway!

The Old Testament law was given to Moses on Mt Sinai by God himself, after the people had escaped from Egypt.

Exodus 19:9


The Law comprehensively covered all aspects of daily living as well as setting out the way in which God desired to relate to His people. God explained this to Moses.

Exodus 19:3-6


The people agreed (temporarily as it turned out!) to abide by the Law.

Exodus 19:7-8


Moses was given the universal laws of the Ten Commandments and rules for daily living, including instruction about Idols and Altars, Hebrew Servants, Personal Injuries, Protection of Property, Social Responsibility, Laws of Justice and Mercy, Sabbath Laws and instructions for The Three Annual Festivals and the construction of the Tabernacle.

THE SEPARATION OF KINGS AND PRIESTS

One important feature of the creation of the Jewish nation was the separation of the temporal ‘kingly’ functions from the spiritual, ‘priestly’ ones.

However, in spite of this separation, there was a much closer relationship between the two than, for instance, we would see today.

Of course, this relationship depended, to a large extent, upon the attitude of the king towards God. The story of the Jewish nation is recorded in Kings and each succeeding king is first described by his attitude towards God, as that set the pattern for his reign. There were godly kings such as Hezekiah

2 Kings 18:1-3


to go along with the ungodly, such as Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh.

2 Kings 21:1-2


The ups and downs of the history of people of Israel were largely determined by the attitude of their individual kings to God.


THE ROLE OF THE PRIESTHOOD

The Biblical definition of a priest is:

"A chosen officer or prince with the capacity to draw near to God and minister. He alone is responsible for offering the divinely appointed sacrifices to God, for executing the different procedures and ceremonies relating to the worship of God, and for being a representative between God and man." (http://www.bible-history.com/tabernacle/TAB4The_Priests.htm)

A priest is an intermediary between man and God offering God’s blessings in return for sacrifice for man’s sin.

Sacrifice of a life for a life, is a basic principle of God. Why? We don’t really understand but it doesn’t alter the fact that all sin requires a blood sacrifice;

Leviticus 17:11


While we don’t know the form of the sacrifice that Melchizedek offered to God, there would have been one. With the Aaronic priesthood however, the sacrifices were very clearly set out in the instructions Moses received from God. For example;

Leviticus 6:8-13


These instructions were often given in great detail;

Leviticus 8:14-17


Accompanying the sacrifices, as a sign of sin forgiven, was the blessing;

Numbers 26:22-7

A REVELATON OF....... THE 3 PRIESTHOODS

A look at the 3 priesthoods of the Bible and what their progressive development means for us today.

INTRODUCTION
We continue and conclude our look at the priesthood of Melchizedec.

THE PRIESTHOOD OF MELCHIZEDEK continued

GAPS IN THE BIBLE

To get a true understanding of the developing revelation of God in the Bible it is necessary to understand that the Old Testament, rather than being a group of books covering a single time period, is really split into two, with a break of 400 years between them, of which there is no record. There is also a similar break of 400 years of unrecorded history between the Old Testament and the New.

Therefore, the Bible is split into three:
1. Genesis,
2. Exodus to Malachi and
3. Matthew to Revelation.

This means that there is to be an individual priesthood that applies to each of the three.

MELCHIZEDEK - PRIEST TO A FAMILY

Abraham was chosen by God to reestablish His godly line upon the earth. God made a covenant (today a contract) with Abraham, promising him, who had no children that he would be the father of a godly line, which continues spiritually, through to believers today.

Genesis 15 :1-6


The godly line would only pass down through one member of the next generation, through Isaac and Jacob, thus continuing to limit the godly blessing to a specific family.

Presumably the reason for this is found in the nomadic nature of the people of the time. As the sons grew up, they would get married, leave their parents and form their own nomadic group, or family. The godly line remained restricted to a family until Jacob and his sons went to Egypt, where effectively, the Jewish nation was born.

We do not know how long Melchizedek was around, or even whether he met Abraham again, let alone Isaac or Jacob. But the family based principle of the Melchizedek priesthood was established through what is recorded in Genesis.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD
Most of what we know about Melchizedek is contained in the New Testament book of Hebrews. The writer would have known of Melchizedek through Jewish tradition, handed down from generation to generation, but must also have had a revelation from God about the special role he played.

1. MEANING OF HIS NAME:
In these times, your name reflected you character and role in life.

Hebrews 7:2b


2. AN ONGOING PRIESTHOOD:
Without entering into arguments about his immortality, the key revelation here is that, like Jesus, his ministry is eternal. While we cannot fully understand this, the key point is the ministry of Melchizedek remains, even to today.

Hebrews 7:3


3. GREATER THAN ABRAHAM, FATHER OF THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD:
By implication, the priesthood of Melchizedek was greater than the Levitical one. This is then confirmed, when it is said that the Levitical priesthood effectively tithed to Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:4, Hebrews 7:9-10


4. OF THE SAME ORDER AS JESUS:
Wow! Amazing! Beyond our comprehension!

Hebrews 7:17


5. OF SIMILAR CHARACTER TO JESUS:
Being of the same order implies a similar character. Hence why Melchizedek was greater than Abraham, who in spite of his admirable attributes, had his share of human failings also.

Hebrews 7:26


6. PERFECTION NECESSARY TO ENTER THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD:
Jesus is the only other one who has reached the mark of proven perfection to become a member of the Melchizedek priesthood.

Hebrews 5:7-10

A GAP OF 400 YEARS

Between the end of Genesis and the beginning of Exodus there is a 400 year gap of unrecorded history.

Of course this does not mean that nothing was happening! Over the 400 years of living in Egypt the family multiplied and became a nation. The Egyptians taught them agriculture and crop production, which was necessary to a settled, as opposed to a nomadic lifestyle. The Egyptians also gave the Jews a written language and taught the governance skills necessary for a settled society to maintain itself.

In people terms, we move from Joseph to Moses. Over this time the Jews lived in the same physical location growing the formerly nomadic families into a settled nation of many, many people, perhaps 2.5 million. They had become a vital cog in Egyptian society, hence why the Pharoah was so reluctant to let them leave!

A REVELATON OF....... THE 3 PRIESTHOODS

A look at the 3 priesthoods of the Bible and what their progressive development means for us today.

INTRODUCTION
To truly know where we stand in our relationship with God now, on a personal basis, it is extremely helpful if we understand the development of the 3 priesthoods of the Bible.

It will open your eyes to the amazing priesthood of the believer we share in today.

THE PRIESTHOOD OF MELCHIZEDEK

INTRODUCTION

Melchizedek reigned, as king/priest, in (Jeru)Salem

Hebrews 7:1a


during the time of Abraham, 3,000+ years ago.

Abraham was born in Ur, in modern day Iraq, which many regard as being the oldest city in the world. More like a settlement in modern terms. Basically though, the family were nomads. Eventually, Abraham travelled to Canaan, at the Lord’s command.

http://www.wwj.org.nz/teachings/ttverse.php?id=4922


He lived there for approximately 100 years.

http://www.wwj.org.nz/teachings/ttverse.php?id=4923


Salem was in Canaan.

While living there, his nephew Lot was captured by some local raiders. Abraham took his 318 trained fighting men and recaptured Lot and his family.

It was at this point that he met with Melchizedek.

WHO WAS MELCHIZEDEK?

The identity of Melchizedek is shrouded in mystery. Was he human? Was he divine?

There are arguments both ways, none of which we are going to get involved in here.

Jewish tradition identifies him as Shem, the son of Noah, who could possibly still have been living at the time. However, this verse in Hebrews would appear to contradict this tradition.

Hebrews 7:3


What is of importance though, is that he did not die in a conventional sense, for his ministry was a continuing one, right through the ages.

For the purposes of this study, his ongoing priesthood is the key factor in our understanding of his life and ministry.

THE MEETING WITH ABRAHAM

There was a battle between 2 groups of local ‘kings’, four against five.

Genesis 14:8-9


The group including the Kings of Sodom (where Lot, Abraham’s nephew, and his family were living) and Gomorrah, were defeated and the family captured, along with others, and all their possessions.

Abraham set out on a rescue mission. By employing clever tactics Abraham and his 318 men rescued all those who had been captured.

Genesis 14:15-16


A very grateful King of Sodom came out to meet Abraham at the Valley of Shaveh, which is just north of Jerusalem.

Genesis 14:17


At that time, Melchizedek came out from (Jeru)Salem and blessed Abraham with bread and wine, so establishing what was to become the ongoing symbol of priesthood.

Genesis 14;18-20a


In return for the blessing Abraham gave a tithe of 10% of his own possessions that he had recovered during the battle and those of the others that he had also recaptured.

Genesis 14:20b


The remaining possessions belonging to others were returned, in spite of protestations. For Abraham did not want his future to be associated with theirs. Which was really good sense, as it turned out later, in the case of the King of Sodom!

Genesis 14:21-4

THE ROLE OF MELCHIZEDEK

Melchizedek had a dual role in life, being that of a ‘king’ combined with that of a ‘priest’.

Hebrews 7:1a


The common religion of the time was the worship of a multiplicity of Gods, so both Melchizedek and Abraham were unusual in their era.

Additionally, society was primarily organized on the basis of extended families, most of whom were nomadic. Townships were very small, and most likely, family based.

This makes the both the person and the role of Melchizedek most unusual, for he had no family tree. Therefore he would not have been aligned to a particular family group, such as Abraham’s.

Who lived in Salem, we do not know. Whoever they were, and it would have only been a very small number, Melchizedek had temporal, kingly authority over them. Whether these people followed the one true God, we also do not know.

However, Abraham did. And so Melchizedek was able to bless Abraham in his position as the priest of the Most High God.

A priest always has two functions – to bless and to sacrifice.

Hebrews 8:3a


We don’t know what the sacrificial role of Melchizedek was. If we did, it would resolve once and for all the argument over whether he was God or man. However God, in His wisdom, has not chosen to reveal that to us.

Melchizedek blessed Abraham with a literal meal including bread and wine, for he and his men were hungry after the battle they had been in, giving thanks to God for their victory.

Genesis 14:18-20


As we will see as we continue this study, bread and wine are symbols of the priesthood and therefore, in a spiritual sense, can only be dispensed by priests.

SERMON ON THE MOUNT concludes

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. (Matthew 7:15-21)

EXPOSITION:

In the two last verses, we are told what impressions Christ’s discourse made upon the auditory. It was an excellent sermon; and it is probable that he said more than is here recorded; and doubtless the delivery of it from the mouth of him, into whose lips grace was poured, did mightily set if off. Now, 1. They were astonished at this doctrine; it is to be feared that few of them were brought by it to follow him: but for the present, they were filled with wonder. Note, It is possible for people to admire good preaching, and yet to remain in ignorance and unbelief; to be astonished, and yet not sanctified. 2. The reason was because he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. The scribes pretended to as much authority as any teachers whatsoever, and were supported by all the external advantages that could be obtained, but their preaching was mean, and flat, and jejune: they spake as those what were not themselves masters of what they preached: the word did not come from them with any life or force; they delivered it as a school-boy says his lesson; but Christ delivered his discourse, as a judge gives his charge. He did indeed, dominari in conscionibus—deliver his discourses with a tone of authority; his lessons were law; his word a word of command. Christ, upon the mountain, showed more true authority, than the scribes in Moses’s seat. Thus when Christ teaches by his Spirit in the soul, he teaches with authority. He says, Let there be light, and there is light. Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers) 1997.

TESTIMONY:

Jesus taught with authority. He practised what He taught. Of course, He had an advantage as He knew the Word sdrawkcab and forwards, as He was, and is, the Word!

We have likely all heard many, many sermons and teachings. A few great, some good, many ordinary and a few, downright bad.

I am sure that all who have been 'up the front' have asked themselves the question, "How do I give an inspired sermon/teaching that will help the people - every time!" This is a problem that seems insoluble! And it is! In fact our 'good days' are often very rare!

Yet the system is such that the preacher or teacher is expected to produce 'a gem' every week, every time they preach/teach. This is impossible - unless we are Jesus! And He has not yet returned!


The simple answer is that if we cannot change people to be continually inspired, then we need to change the system to one where we only speak when we truly do have inspiration from God.

You see, my friend, this principle is at the heart of the difference between 'kings' and 'kingdom'. Under the current church system the leader, the king, by whatever title he or she is known, is required to bring a kingly dissertation to his or her subjects, the congregation, every 7 days. So we have seminaries preparing people in the art of giving a good sermon. A joke to start, 3 good points, repeated for emphasis, followed by a punchy conclusion. Okay, I may be exaggerating, but you get the picture!

I remember once, in my pre Jesus days, being asked by a 'degree-d' minister friend what Scripture he could use to justify a point, a conclusion, that he wished to get across to his people. Don't know why He asked me! But the point is, no matter how good and relevant the point may have been, even I, in my pre-Jesus state, could see that it was the wrong way round of doing things. The cart before the horse.


In the kingdom, where our leader is Jesus, unless we inspired to bring a message through the leading of the Holy Spirit, there is no pressure to bring one at all. Someone amongst those attending may have the message for today, or we need not have a message at all, as the Holy Spirit leads. Maybe today, we are to pray for and encourage one another, or simply worship, or even help a person in need in the community. Flexibility to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit is the key.

If the Holy Spirit truly inspires us in what to say, we will indeed have the authority of Jesus as we speak.


However, the greatest difference between Jesus and the Rabbis was that He practised what He preached. Ultimately our lives are our greatest and most effective sermon. This is, and has always been, our greatest challenge. As we conclude our series on the 'Sermon on the Mount' I will leave you with both the example and the words of Jesus;

John 13:12-17

SERMON ON THE MOUNT continued

The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:24-7)

EXPOSITION:

The hearers of Christ’s word are here divided into two sorts; some that hear, and do what they hear; others that hear and do not. Christ preached now to a mixed multitude, and he thus separates them, one from the other, as he will at the great day, when all nations shall be gathered before him. Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers) 1997.

TESTIMONY:

Jesus uses this graphic illustration as the conclusion of His great sermon, to define the difference in eternal destiny between 'hearers' and 'doers' of His Word.

We live in an area that is prone to earthquakes. In a 7.4 magnitude earthquake in 1931, here in Napier, 236 people were killed including one of my aunties, aged 6 at the time.

Some time ago, we took a lease on a building in our sister city of Hastings, also affected by the earthquake of 1931, in order to open a new Seekers clothing shop. The local Council required the landlord to spend over $300,000 on strengthening the building before allowing a change of use from storage to retail. The deal fell through.

Our prospective landlord would have loved to have us there, but he wasn't prepared to 'pay the price' necessary for our occupation.

How much that is like us! We love the idea of having Jesus in our life but we are not prepared to pay the price of changing our habits, our traditional way of doing things, be they good or bad. Strange as it may seem, many times we are happy being unhappy, as we are comfortable in it. For change is never comfortable!

The problem with foundations is that while they take much effort to build, in the final analysis, they are hidden from view! Yet, as Jesus illustrated, without the foundations of trials and testings, of submission and obedience to the Father, of developing the character of Jesus in our lives, living well, going to church and doing good deeds of the publicly seen walls and roof of the house of our life, will be futile. A showy waste of time when it comes to the storms of persecution, and to Judgment Day.

My life is not perfect! These words apply to me as much as to you. The Lord has changed, even transformed me, over the years of my Christian life, but there are still areas remaining to be dealt with. Some I know about, others that He has not yet revealed to me. While I have considerable natural determination and willpower, I have discovered that there are very few changes that I have been able to make in my own strength. Particularly as one matures in Jesus, foundational aspects of our character are exposed and change required. For example, while it may be relatively easy to stop the negative behaviour of stealing, it is be a lot more difficult to develop a positive, generous, giving personality. Such things take time.

I am slowly learning to stop trying to 'do it myself', but to go to the Holy Spirit with an open heart, mind and will, and give Him permission to change me. It does work, in His timing.

As Jesus himself said, prior to His death;

John 16:13

May we submit to our Lord, allowing Him to build solid foundation in our life that will withstand the storms and carry us through to eternal life with Him.