Tag: Pertaining to God

Pertaining to God – Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

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. 

‘Offer’ [Greek: prosphero] to offer (5:1, 3, 7; 8:3-4; 9:7-28; 10:1-12; 11:4, 17); deal with (12:7); put to (John 19:29); present unto (Matt. 2:11); do (John 16:2); and bring to (Matt. 4:24; 5:23; 8:16; 9:2, 32; 12:22; 14:35; 17:16; 18:24; 19:13; 22:19; 25:20; Mark 10:13; Luke 12:11; 18:15; 23:14).

‘Compassion’ [Greek: metriopatheo] to be moderate or merciful toward. It means not merely to have compassion, but to act with moderation; to bear with each person according to his ignorance, weakness, and circumstances; to pity, feel for, and excuse as far as possible; to be ready to pardon and when punishment is required, to administer it with gentleness (5:2-3).

‘Ignorant’ This statement here refers to Old Testament examples given in Leviticus 4:2, 22, 27 and Numbers 15:28. From the time of the New Testament, ignorance could no longer be used as an excuse as we see from Acts 17:30; Ephesians 4:18 and 1Peter 1:14.

‘Out of the way’ – See Leviticus 5:1-6 for examples of those that were sinning – out of the way.

‘For that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.’ The reason given for pardon and slow punishment is that the high priest himself also struggles with weakness (5:2-3).

Pertaining to God – Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

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…