READ: Leviticus 8-9 / Psalm 62
Verses for meditation. Leviticus 8:1-4 "The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments and the anointing oil and the bull of the sin offering and the two rams and the basket of unleavened bread. 3 And assemble all the congregation at the entrance of the tent of meeting.” 4 And Moses did as the Lord commanded him, and the congregation was assembled at the entrance of the tent of meeting."
REFLECT
These verses give us an introduction to priesthood by describing in very brief compass the ingredients which make it possible.
First, the word of God. A true priesthood never originates from man's conception of what he needs. It comes from God's word, God's thoughts. God knows us and He has designed this for us. It doesn't come from a pope, nor a council, nor a convention, nor a synod of bishops, nor any other form of human committee.
The second element is, Aaron and his sons. Aaron was the brother of Moses. He and his descendants were the only family in the entire Old Testament authorised to serve as priests. In this family Aaron himself was to be the high priest. As the book of Hebrews makes very clear, we too have a high priest. Aaron is the picture of that great high priest, Jesus Christ our Lord and His priesthood is as necessary to us as Aaron's was to the Israelites. Aaron's sons represent every believer in Jesus Christ. Everyone who knows Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour is constituted a priest to the other members of the human family. John says that Jesus has made us a kingdom of priests (Revelation 1:6).
The third ingredient of the priesthood is the garments. In the symbolism of Scripture, garments are always a revelation of the character of the individual who wears them. So as we examine the list of garments we will understand what a priest is, what he does, and how he functions.
The fourth ingredient of the priesthood is the anointing oil, which, in Scripture, always speaks of the Holy Spirit. This means that a priest, to be effective, always must be walking in the Spirit. You will never be an effective priest unless you learn the ministry of the Holy Spirit, learn how he works in you and through you, imparting the life of Christ to others through you.
The next ingredient is the sacrifices. These always speak of redemption, of the need for dealing with the problem of sin and guilt. Since Aaron and his sons were but men, they too needed sacrifices.
The sixth element of the priesthood was the fact that God told Moses to bring all the congregation together. God insisted that all the adults and children be there. He wanted the humblest and the greatest in Israel to be present. Moses had to assemble the whole congregation — more than a million people. That must have created quite a seating problem!
Perhaps they erected grandstands. But in any event they were all to be there in order that God himself might teach them what a priesthood meant.
RELATE
Every aspect of God-ordained Priesthood has been fulfilled in our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ. When He enters as our Saviour and Lord, He ministers to all our need, and invites us to serve as His representative priests. Have we entered into this amazing inheritance?
REST
Our Father, help us to lift our eyes to this great high priest who is with us, ready to release to us all the mighty power available to Him. Help us to lay hold of this power and to know You have made provision to meet all of our needs.
Tan Tee Khoon
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