THE PRIESTHOOD.
Exodus 28; Leviticus 8; Hebrews 7.
There is a difference, of course, between a priest and an apostle. An apostle is one who comes out from God with a message to man. A priest is one who goes in to God on behalf of man. The Lord Jesus Christ is both Apostle and High Priest (Heb_3:1). He came from God, and He went back to God. The great work of the priest was to minister unto the Lord (Exo_28:3). "I delight to do Thy will, O my God," is the language of the Great High Priest. This will also be the delight of our lives if we are walking in the white robes of our holy priesthood (Rev_1:6).
I. The Priestly Calling.
1. Aaron was Called of God. "No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron" (Heb_5:4). "Every high priest is ordained" (Heb_8:3). Jesus Christ our High Priest was the chosen of God, He is the only divinely ordained high priest, the only "mediator between God and man" (1Ti_2:5).
2. He was Washed. They must be clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Aaron is a sunlight type of Christ, but this washing just brings out how far short the best of men come in resembling the Holy One of God. He needed net this cleansing.
3. He was Clothed. The coat, the robe, and the ephod were put upon him. Our great High Priest was robed in garments of glory and beauty. These holy robes were, as we shall see, typical of His character.
4. He was Crowned. The mitre, or holy crown, was put upon his head. The priestly dress was not complete without the crown (Zec_3:1-5). The priest must be one fitted to wear a crown. The mediator between God and man must be one able to wear, and worthy of a glorious crown. The crown of holiness is His.
5. He was Anointed. "Moses poured the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head" (Lev_8:12). The anointing spirit was poured out upon the head of God’s beloved as He stood by the Jordan. The Spirit, like a dove, crowned Him with honour. He is the Lord’s anointed.
6. He was Consecrated. Aaron was sprinkled with the blood and had his hands filled for the Lord (Lev_8:24-27). Claimed and filled is the true consecrated state. The Lord Jesus Christ was both. The voice from Heaven said, "This is My beloved Son"-claimed. The Spirit was given unto Him without measure-filled. His holy hands were indeed filled for God and for man.
7. He fed on the Bread of Consecration (Lev_8:31). Holy bread was his. What none other could touch was his by right of his character as priest. Jesus could say, "I have a meat to eat that ye know not of" (Lev_21:22). He did eat the "Bread of His God."
8. He was Blameless. No man that hath a blemish shall come nigh to offer the offering of the Lord (Lev_21:23). Our High Priest was "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners" (Heb_7:26). Man could find no fault in Him, and God was infinitely pleased with Him. Aaron is a type of Christ.
II. Aaron’s Sons represent the position and privilege of all those who belong to Christ. Let the Holy Spirit now take the things which are Christ’s and show them unto us. From Leviticus 8 we learn some deep spiritual truths concerning the priesthood of believers.
1. Their Names were Closely Associated. Ten times do we read, "Aaron and his sons." Aaron was called, and his sons were called in him. Oh, the depths! Chosen in Him from "before the foundation of the world." Called to be holy, "Be ye holy, for I am holy" (1Pe_1:16). Aaron’s sons were priests by birth. So are we. Priests because they were sons. Now are we the sons of God, blood relatives to the Great High Priest, bone of His bone, flesh of His flesh.
2. They had the Same Calling. Called to be priests. "As the Father hath sent Me, so have I sent you" (Joh_20:21). He hath made us priests unto God. Are we abiding in our high and holy calling, or are we doing nothing at it just now?
3. They had the Same Underclothing. Aaron had robes of glory and beauty which belonged to himself only as high priest. His sons, like himself, had the pure linen coat. There are glories which belong to the Lord Jesus Christ as the divine and eternal One which we cannot have, but, like Him, we may all have, and ought to have, the linen coat of inward purity.
4. They had the Same Anointing. They were accepted by the same blood and anointed with the same oil. Christ is entered by His own blood, and so are we as His. The same Spirit that come upon Him is to anoint us ( 1Jn_2:27). How unerring the type. The oil was first poured upon Aaron’s head before it was given unto his sons. The Spirit was given unto Christ without measure that He might give the Spirit to them that ask Him. "The promise is unto you, and to your children" (Act_2:39). This was true of Him also. The anointing oil was not to be put upon strangers. The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit. Only those born into the family of God can receive this sacred honour.
5. They had their Hands Filled with the Same Offering. We have nothing else to offer God on our behalf than that which Christ, our Aaron, offered. But we must wave before the Lord that which He waves.
6. They Eat the Same Food. They fed on the same holy bread. Jesus lived by faith, so must we. His soul rested on and was strengthened by the promises of His Father. This also is our high privilege. Live as He lived. He "left us an example that we should follow His steps" (1Pe_2:21).
7. They were Under the Same Authority. "They were to keep the charge of the Lord" (Jos_22:3). Oh, how faithfully Jesus kept the charge given Him, "I must be about My Father’s business" (Luk_2:49). He went about continually doing good. "I have glorified Thee on the earth; I have finished the Work which Thou gavest Me to do" (Joh_17:4). "It is finished!" Are we so seeking to keep the charge of the Lord? Are we glorifying Him on earth? Are we finished, or shirking the work given us to do? "As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I sent also them into the world" (Joh_20:21).
III. The Priestly Dress reveals the priestly character. Every part of it was appointed by God. He was to be a man after God’s own heart, both inwardly and outwardly. In the inward thoughts of His heart and in the outward acts of His life the Lord Jesus was all and everything that God desired. The attire of the high priest was in three different parts, just as there were three divisions in the Tabernacle. We get the same thoughts in the priest’s dress as we find in the coverings and the vessels. They all speak of Him who came in human form to glorify God and save men. There was-
1. The Coat. This was made of "fine white linen," and worn next to the body. "White linen is the righteousness of the saints" (Rev_19:8). So the linen here reminds us of the pure and spotless human character of the Lord Jesus, who knew no sin as a personal experience, but was "holy, harmless, undefiled. "What a contrast between the "fine linen" of His righteousness and the "filthy rags" of man’s own righteousness! No man was ever so particular about his linen as God was about this. Before we can wear the white linen coat of His righteousness, like the sons of Aaron, we must be washed in the blood of the Lamb. The white linen was not to cover uncleanness, but to cover nakedness. Connected with this coat was "the girdle" of fine white linen.
The teaching here is plain, the girdle speaks of service, the white linen girdle tells of the Man Christ Jesus as the Servant of God. He girt Himself with a towel and washed His disciples’ feet. His girdle was never loose. He went about continually doing good. God the Father said of Him, "Behold My Servant" (Isa_42:1). As a servant, He made Himself of no reputation, and was obedient unto death (Php_2:5-7). The service of the Lord "in fashion as a man" was in the sight of God as "fine white linen." All the sons of Aaron wore this coat and girdle. Every believer in the Lord Jesus has the coat of righteousness and the girdle of service. But, alas! the girdles of many are hanging loose, if not altogether cast off. The girdle was attached to the coat. God means both to go together. We are saved to serve (Luk_1:74).
2. The Robe. This robe was worn over the white linen coat, and was "all of blue." It was "curiously wrought," and "without seam." As the "white linen" speaks of the perfect man, so "all of blue" speaks of the Lord from Heaven. "Curiously wrought" in His incarnation, and with regard to His eternal existence, "without seam." In the one we see Christ as the "Child born," in the other as the "Son given." This robe of blue was worn by the high priest alone. It represents something belonging to Christ which cannot be put upon His people-Divinity, Godhead. This robe was to be strongly bound. The Deity of Christ, our High Priest, can neither be torn nor tarnished, it is unchangeable.
Attached to the skirt of this robe were "golden bells" and "pomegranates." The bells speak of a harmonious, joyful sound. The juicy, pleasant-flavoured pomegranate speaks of refreshing, satisfaction, and fruitfulness. It is most significant to notice that these were not connected with the coat (the human nature), but with the robe (the divine). If Christ had only been a man there could have been no joyous sound of salvation, no soul satisfaction for us as sinners before God. The glad song of the herald angels was, "Fear not, I bring you good tidings of great joy, for unto you is born a Saviour which is Christ the Lord" (Luk_2:11). The sweetness of this song lay, not in that a man was born, but in that this Man was the Holy One, the Son of God. The bells were hung on the robe of blue. These bells and pomegranates doubtless had a reference to God as well as to man. From the fact that they belonged only to that part of the dress which distinguished the high priest indicate this. There is in Christ Jesus, as our great High Priest, that which is infinitely sweet and melodious to the ear of God, and also that which is refreshing and satisfying to His heart. The Gospel bells and pomegranates of promise have brought gladness and satisfaction to many a weary, despairing soul. "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound" (Psa_89:15). These are the golden bells of the grace of God, and they have a charming sound.
3. The Ephod. This part of the priestly attire was worn above the "robe of blue." It was made of the same materials as the vail, "blue, purple, and scarlet." We have the same order here as in the curtains. The white coat, representing the human character of Christ, the "robe of blue" His divinity, the ephod and two natures in One Person. The first is the Man Jesus; the second is the Man Christ Jesus; the third is the Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. There was also a girdle connected with the ephod, made of the same materials. The girdle means service. Thus we learn that even while the priest was clothed with these "robes for glory and beauty" he was still in the attitude of serving. Our great High Priest, although now robed with glory and beauty, still wears the golden girdle of service (Rev_1:13).
4. The Breastplate. This breastplate was nine inches square, and was formed with "cunning work of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet" (see Exod. 28). It was "not to be loosed from the ephod." It is therefore typical of something which belongs to Christ as our Mediator. Twelve stones were set in it, in four rows, one for each tribe in Israel, bearing their names. Thus the high priest carried the people of God on his bosom, written on his heart. This is a precious thought for every one redeemed by the blood of Christ. They are ever remembered by Him, they are ever before Him. Our place with Him is on His heart, held up before God, and ever accepted in Him. The priest could not lay off the breastplate without stripping himself of his garment of glory. If the Lord casts away His people He casts away His own glory as the redeeming Son of God. Christ’s glorious character and His people are bound together. He will not be in glory and leave me behind. These stones had all different colours. The people of God may possess very different gifts and spheres of usefulness, but they were all one in the breastplate, all alike near to the priest, all one in Christ.
But one thing more we must notice here, that is, the "shoulder pieces." They were connected with the breastplate and the ephod. In each of these pieces was a stone with the names of six of the tribes of Israel engraven on them. So all the people of the Lord were represented on the heart and on the shoulders of their mediator. On the heart, the place of affection; on the shoulders, the place of strength and security. Every time the high priest entered the holy place he carried with him all the ransomed of the Lord. Where he went they went. Remember the words of the Lord, how He said, "Where I am, there shall ye be also" (Joh_14:3). "We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous" (1Jn_2:1).
5. The Mitre. This was the head-piece, or "holy crown," of the priest. It was made of fine white linen, and had a plate of pure gold in the forefront, with these solemn words clearly engraven upon it, "Holiness to the Lord" (Exo_28:36). While the truth taught here is a deeply humbling one, it is also comforting. This holy crown was put upon Aaron that he might bear the "iniquity of the holy things." Think of it. There is that in our most holy things which mar their purity and disfigure their character, but our representative is crowned with holiness, and we are in Him that is true. Praise the Lord! It is most significantly added that "It shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord" (Exo_28:38). "Who is He that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (Rom_8:34). Who shall separate us from Him who hath bound us to His shoulder and heart with the cords of love and power? I am nothing; He is everything. Of myself I can only say, "Unclean," but He is "Holiness to the Lord." "Abide in Him." "Ye are complete in Him." In Him ye are perfect, entire, wanting nothing.
6. The Urim and Thummim. These mysterious stones were connected with the breastplate, they mean "Lights and Perfections." It would seem that they were used when making special inquiry of the Lord (Num_27:21; 1Sa_28:6). Perhaps they either brightened or grew dim according to God’s "Yes" or "No." It is evident that God’s mind was at times in some way or other revealed through them. They appear to us to typify the revealing and sanctifying ministry of the Holy Ghost. It would be strange indeed, if, where there is so much that speaks of Christ’s character and work, there was nothing to indicate the great gift that has come to His Church through His entering into the holiest. The Urim and Thummim through the high priest, revealed the will of God. The Holy Spirit coming to us through our High Priest "leads us into all truth."
These precious stones, like the Holy Spirit, testify only of Him. That they were two in number may be intended to show us further that the Holy Spirit is the gift of both Father and Son. The greatest importance was always attached to the Urim and Thummim. A priest without them was only a man without power with God (Neh_7:65). It was through the eternal Spirit that Christ offered Himself unto God. If we would, as priests, have power with God and with men, let us see that we have always with us the Urim of the Holy Spirit.
Such were the official garments of the great high priest. But these could not be put on till after the great day of atonement. Christ must first offer Himself a sacrifice unto God before He could put on His robes of glory and beauty as our representative before the throne of God.
IV. The Work of the Priest. The great work of Aaron the high priest, as well as the work of his sons, was summed up in these words, "To keep the charge of the Lord" (Lev_8:35). Keeping His charge meant doing all His will. This the Lord Jesus Christ delighted to do. The priestly work was very varied. He had to-
1. Present Himself before God. He had, first of all, to make atonement for himself before he could do anything for others. He must be without sin himself who would offer a sacrifice unto God for others. Christ needed no sacrifice for Himself, being "holy, harmless, and undefiled" (Heb_7:26). He was able at once to present Himself before God in the room of others.
2. Make Atonement for the People. This priest had to offer himself twice; once for himself, and again for the people. Jesus Christ "offered Himself once" (Heb_9:28). This atonement was made once a year, it was "the great day," All the vessels of the Tabernacle were sprinkled with blood. They all received their authority and efficacy on the ground of the great atonement. The teaching is plain. All spiritual blessings come through the great atoning death of Jesus. The high priest only could make atonement. He was to be alone in the work. Who could help the Son of God to make atonement for sin? He "trod the winepress alone, there was none to help" (Isa_63:3). On this day the priest had to put off his garments of glory and beauty, and do his greatest work in the attire of an ordinary priest. Christ did not die in the purple robe (Mar_15:20), nor with His garments white and glistening, but in "His own clothes" of humility and meekness, as the holy Man.
3. Sprinkle the Vessels. The sprinkling of the vessels meant the sanctifying, or opening up, of the way into the presence of God (Heb_9:21-26). Jesus, by His own blood, hath consecrated for us a new and living way into the holiest (Heb_10:20). He died for our sins that we might be justified before God, and for every justified one there is provision made by Him for every step of the way. "All the way long it is Jesus."
4. Offer Gifts. Besides the sacrifices and meatofferings, the priest also offered the gifts of incense on the golden altar. Jesus, too, had somewhat to offer. "A body hast Thou prepared Me" (Heb_10:5). "He bare our sins on His own body" (1Pe_2:24). Gifts of sweet incense He also offered in the days of His flesh, "prayers, supplications, strong crying, tears" (Heb_5:7). And here is the sweet perfume, "He was heard in that He feared."
5. Trim the Lamps. The priest supplied the oil daily for the lamps. The lamps would soon die out if the priests failed to keep the charge of the Lord. Our High Priest will not fail, He gladly supplies the Spirit of grace that we may be able to bear a bright testimony for Him. "My grace is sufficient for thee" (2Co_12:9).
6. Discern between the Clean and Unclean. He who was "Holiness to the Lord" was well fitted to pronounce judgment between the clean and the unclean. "Who art thou, O man, that judgest?" (Rom_2:1). If there is any perplexity as to whether a thing is clean or unclean, right or wrong, take it to Him who knows everything that is unclean in the sight of a holy God. There need be no doubt, unless we are afraid to submit it to the searching eye of the Holy One. If we walk according to His judgment we shall "walk worthy of the Lord in all pleasing" (Col_1:10).
7. Make Intercession. If the people would inquire of the Lord it must be by priest or prophet. The Lord Jesus is both priest and prophet. A prophet to declare the will of God to us, a priest to make intercession for us. He was able to intercede because He was qualified to atone. He who could reconcile could also plead their cause. By reason of death the priesthood had to be changed, "but this Man (Christ), because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood, wherefore He is able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Heb_7:24-25).
The high priest never sat down during the time of his ministry; he went in and out, but never sat, his work was never done. Jesus could say, "I have finished the work Thou gavest me to do" (Joh_17:4). So that "after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, He sat down on the right hand of God" (Heb_10:12). But the order of the priest’s work was not complete until he came out and presented himself to the waiting people and blessed them. Our high priest has gone in, now we wait for His Son from Heaven, who said, "If I go, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, ye may be also" (Joh_14:3).
Autor: James Smith