Hebrews 5:1-4 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man takes this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
‘Every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God.’ The high priest that was taken from ‘among men’ meant specifically from among the nation Israel (Lev. 21:10). The high priest simply took the place of Moses and continued as the mediator between God and man, receiving messages from Him before the ark of the covenant. The high priest was the atoning mediator between God and Israel and consecrated the holy gifts that they might be accepted by the Lord (Ex. 28:38, 43). The consecration was done through anointing with oil by pouring it on the head and this was the distinguishing mark between the high priest and others as far as consecration was concerned (Lev. 21:10; 8:12; Ps. 133:1-3). The high priest also wore different clothes than the other priests (Ex. 28:1-43). The high priest was a chief ruler – a sort of king and representative for God among the people [the nation Israel]. By his anointing he represented God as a chief prophet; by his office [during the Old Testament period] he was typical [illustrated the examples of the ministry of the coming Messiah] and representative of Christ in His sacrificial character; and by his holy crown, he represented the ruling authority of God on earth. No one can today claim that they are God’s high priest, priest, prophet or spokesperson on earth, as Christ fulfilled all those types and more becoming our only High Priest, Prophet, the Word, Saviour, etc.
To be continued…
Living the Word 