June 19, 2016
Morning Service

Heb. 5.

 

We are discussing the office of High Priest, under the O.T. laws, and under the N.T. dispensation.  We finished chapter four with this being said:

Heb 4:14-16  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  (15)  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  (16)  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

Let’s get right into chapter five:

 

Heb 5:1-14  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:  (2)  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.  (3)  And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.  (4)  And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 

·         The writer begins with the O.T. Priesthood.

·         He is ordained for men, to offer sacrifices in their stead.

·         He can understand their dealings with sin, because he himself battles sin every day.

·         Therefore because of his sins, and the peoples he offers sacrifices to God according to the law.

·         No man takes this honor unto himself.  God chose the tribe of Levi for this purpose.

A look at the calling of Aaron, the first High Priest:  This is God speaking to Moses:

Exo 28:1  And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.

So we see a hand me down Priesthood from the tribe of Levi.

Deu 10:6  And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead.

 

This was God’s instruction to Moses for what He wanted done in the law.  The law is being finalized, and this was how God wanted the sacrifices for sin delivered to Him, and by the Priests.  These people being written to, and trying to be won to Christ, know all these things.  They know the law, and the way it is supposed to be.

But the writer is trying to show them how much better the New Covenant is than the Old.

 

(5)  So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.  (6)  As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 

·         Jesus didn’t claim this honor Himself, but His Father bestowed this honor on Him.  (Psa.2:7; and Psa. 110:4).

·         Now who is this Melchisedec?

Gen 14:18-19  And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.  (19)  And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

·         And this is all we know of him, other than what is written of him by the Hebrew writer.

·         Melchizedek disappears as suddenly as he came. Almost a thousand years elapse before the next notice of Melchizedek (Psa_110:4.) "The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou (Messiah) art a priest forever after the order (i.e. 'the similitude' Heb_7:15, the office) of Melchizedek":

·         And now the Hebrew writer is using Melchizedek, as a type of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.

Now back to Jesus;

(7)  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;  (8)  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 

·         In the garden.  As Jesus prayed, He hoped for another way, but there wasn’t another way.  “Never the less, not My will, but Thine be done.”

·         The writer says He was heard because He feared God.  This is something that has been lost, and not taught properly.   A reverent fear of God. 

·         Just because God has given us a period of grace doesn’t mean we should not fear, and love Him. 

·         Thou He were a Son, He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.  We will find out in a few chapters that God chastens those He loves, as a Father does his children.  Children without guidance, and chastisement, will come to ruin, and destruction.

(9)  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 

·         And because He was perfect, you and I have an opportunity to possess eternal life.  Remember, we are complete in Him.

(10)  Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.  (11)  Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.  (12)  For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God;

·         You see, this is the reason for our ministry.  To point you to the Lamb of God, Whom we find in the Scriptures, and He, as the Holy Spirit, will teach you all the things you need to know, that are freely given to us from God.  Some things are not yet given, but He will give them to us as we need them.  It’s the whole purpose of our calling, and ministry, to point you to the written Word, and for you to study it.

The Scriptures say this:

Dan 12:1-4  And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.  (2)  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  (3)  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.  (4)  But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

We live in a time when knowledge is readily available.  We have books, internet, radio, TV, knowledge, easy access to the Bible, knowledge is everywhere, but it does take effort to attain it.  That’s why we constantly encourage you to read your Bibles.  Today you just Google it, and then ask the Holy Spirit for the right meaning.  He will not let you down.

·         He also mentions having need of the first principles of the oracles of God, which we will look at in chapter six.

and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 

·         Meaning getting back to the basics of the knowledge of God.

(13)  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  (14)  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

·         This is why we should study our Bibles, so we can help others that are having trouble understanding the Word of God.   The ministry to the church Eph. 4.

·         Just as Philip was able to help the Ethiopian Eunuch.  

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, HELP US TO UNDERSTAND  THAT JESUS IS OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST,   TO DELIVER, AND FORGIVE US FROM OUR INFIRMITIES.  CREATE IN US A DESIRE TO STUDY YOUR WORD, THAT WE MIGHT BUILD OUR FAITH.  AMEN.