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Comparing & Contrasting The Two Priesthoods Introduction: The Hebrew writer used comparisons and contrast to teach us the superiority of the Law of Christ over the Law of Moses. We know that by studying the Old Law we can learn so as to better understand the New Law, Romans 15.4. In this lesson we want to learn about the priesthood of Aaron and Christ. I) The Levitical Priesthood A) Came from Aaron, mother was Jochebed and father was Amram 1. Lineage given in the Bible. Levi had 3 sons, Exodus 6.16 a. Kohath, Merari, Gershon b. Amram came from Kohath; Amram had 2 sons which were Moses and Aaron c. Duties given to Gershon and Merari centered on taking care of the tabernacle and all of its furnishing, Numbers 4. 2. God selected Aaron to be Moses spokesman , Exodus 4.14-16 3. God selected Aaron and his sons to be High Priest and priest. B) They had to be consecrated, Leviticus 8 1. Aaron and his sons, v. 2 2. Washing with water, v. 6 3. Priestly garments, v. 7-9 4. Anointed with oil, v. 12 5. Sin offering of a ram, v. 14-17 6. Burnt offering, v. 22-29 7. Wave offering, v. 30-32. 8. Meal offerings, Numbers 15.1-10 8. Then they could make a sin offering for the people, Lev. 9.7. C) The Leviticial Priest 1. Only ones to present sacrifices to God (Remember what happened when King Saul and King Uzziah tried to do so). 2. Were not to come to God unclean, Lev. 22.3ff 3. Punished by death for not obeying God, Lev. 10.2-3. 4. Had additional restrictions placed on them by God. a. High Priest could not bury the dead, Lev. 21.11-12 b. High Priest could only marry a virgin, Lev. 21.13 5. Offered daily sacrifices for the sins of the people, Numbers 28 (a lamb in the morning and then in the evening, drink offering, grain offering, burnt offering,). 6. Then there were the Sabbath Day offerings, Monthly offerings, Passover Offering, Feast of Weeks offerings, etc. II) The Christian Priesthood A) Not by physical lineage but spiritual 1. A spiritual birth, Titus 3.5. 2. Washing of water by the word, Ephesians 5.26 3. Redeemed consecrated by the blood of Christ, Revelation 1.5 4. All Christians are part of this priesthood, 1 Peter 2.9. B) Offerings 1. Our daily living sacrifice, Romans 12.1; Phil. 2.17. 2. The fruit of our lips, Hebrews 13.15 3. Our offerings, giving, Phil. 4.18 III) The High Priest A) Similarities 1. High Priest of The Law of Moses a. Was a man and able to understand man's spiritual needs, Hebrews 5.1-2. b. Was appointed by God, Exodus 28.1 c. Was to offer sacrifice for atonement, Lev. 16.29-34 for the whole nation. 2) Jesus as our High Priest a. Was a man able to understand our weaknesses, Hebrews 2.17 b. appointed by God, Hebrews 5.4-5 c. Offers up a sacrifice for atonement, Hebrews 10.10 B) Contrast 1. Aaron's priesthood a. Beset by the weakness of sin, Lev. 4.3. Fist had to offer a sacrifice for his own sins and then the sins of the people, Lev. 9.7 b. Was ever changing due to the death of the High Priest, Numbers 35.25; 20.24-29. c. Offered imperfect sacrifices, Hebrews 10.4 d. Entered a place made with hands, Ex. 35.10 2. Jesus as our High Priest a. Never sinned, Hebrews 7.26-27a. b. Offered Himself one time and thus did away with animal sacrifices and the daily offerings, Hebrews 10.10 c. The perfect sacrifice for our sins, Hebrews 7.27b d. Unchangeable High Priest, Hebrews 7.17, 23-24. e. Always in the presence of God in heaven, Hebrews 9.11-12. Conclusion: I must admit it is hard for me to comprehend what it was like to go from the Law of Moses to that of Christ. But it ushered in a better priesthood -- one that all Christians are a part of; a better sacrifice -- one that forgives sins; and better promises -- the hope of heaven.
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