The Priesthood of G-d Print E-mail
Written by Victoria Radin   

OLD TESTAMENT/NEW TESTAMENT TYPOLOGY

The Priesthood of G-d

By Victoria Radin

To clearly understand the Scriptures, it is often necessary to view them  from a Jewish perspective. Paul, in his letter to the Colossians suggests that the Old Testament rules were:

“...a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Col. 2:17)

The Old Testament Priesthood of G-d

The priesthood and their garments are examples of Old Testament typology. G-d’s first chosen high priest, Aaron, was a type of the coming Messiah. Although Aaron was a member of the tribe of Levi; the priesthood would be chosen only from his descendants. The other Levite families would serve G-d in His temple in other ways; but the priesthood belonged only to Aaron and his male offspring.

The duty of the priesthood was to teach the Israelites the rules that G-d used to define sin (the Law) and to stand on behalf of the Israelites between G-d and man. The High Priest, dressed in special garments, would enter the Holy of Holies once a year (on Yom Kippur) as mediator between G-d and man, sprinkling the blood of a sacrifice before the ark of G-d.

The New Testament Priesthood of G-d

The writer of the book of Hebrews addresses the fact that Melchizedek was not a descendant of the tribe of Levi (Levi was not yet born); yet he was a priest of the Most High G-d and would continue to be one forever (Hebrews 7:1-4). The writer goes on to state that because the Levitical priesthood was not perfect (they had to offer sacrifices for their own sins before they could minister for the people), another priesthood was needed. A new priesthood was established, from the tribe of Judah, not according to the flesh (descendants of the flesh); but according to the power of an endless life (Hebrews 7:16).

In speaking prophetically of Jesus, the Messiah, Psalm 110:4 states:

“The L-rd has sworn and will not relent, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

In other words, the Messiah would be a priest; but not of the Levitical lineage.

In Biblical times, if a man died without having children, his inheritance would go to his bondservants (Genesis 15:2, 3). A bondservant was not an ordinary servant who would work for wages and was free to do whatever he wanted when the day was ended. A bondservant, rather, was one who chose never to leave his master. He would not receive wages. His master, therefore, was obligated to provide for all his needs. In return, the bondservant was always ‘on call’ for service. In ancient times, an awl was driven through the earlobe to mark him as a bondservant, thus making this a special blood-covenant relationship.

In Biblical typology, the ‘descendants’ of the new High Priest Jesus are the bondservants of the L-rd, not according to the flesh but according to the power of an endless (eternal) life (Hebrews 7:16):

“...you also as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to G-d through Jesus Christ.” (1Peter 2:5)

“...and has made us kings and priests to His G-d and Father...” (Rev. 1:6)

“...and have made us kings and priests to our G-d; and we shall reign on the earth.”  (Rev 5:6)

“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.  Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of G-d and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” (Rev. 20:6)

In other words, G-d has changed the 'order' of the priesthood. Because He lives, Jesus is the High Priest forever, having entered the Holy of Holies in Heaven with the blood of His own sacrifice. All of His bondservants are His descendants and inheritors of the priesthood of G-d. They are to teach not just the rules that G-d uses to define sin according to ‘letter of the law’ but also the rules that Jesus taught according to the ‘spirit of the law’. The ‘spirit of the law’ carried a heavier responsibility such as is described in the beatitudes that Jesus taught in Matthew’s gospel (Matthew 5:17-47). They were also called to stand on behalf of the unsaved between G-d and man through prayers and intercession.

The Old Testament Garments of the Priesthood

In Jewish teaching, the garments of the priesthood were considered “sacred garments for honor and beauty” (Exodus 28:2, 40). The garments, they state, are essential in order for the priests to function in their sacred capacity. Without the uniform, their work was not valid; they were the same as any ordinary man.  What is the basis for the powerful significance of the garments?

The ancient Jewish sages taught: “While clothed in the priestly garments, they are clothed in the priesthood; but when they are not wearing the garments, the priesthood is not upon them. Their quality is such that they elevate the wearer, Aaron and his descendants, to the high levels of sanctity required from those who come to serve before G-d in the holy place. These garments themselves possess a certain holiness; powerful enough to sanctify all those who merely come in contact with them (Ezekiel 44:19).”  The garments demonstrate that the wearer is standing in Divine service.

The garments of the High Priest were eight while those of the regular priesthood were four. The number eight in Biblical numerology stands for the spiritual realm, the number four stands for the earth. The garments of the High Priest were said to represent the four elements: earth, sea, air, and fire, elevated to the divine. Clothed in the garments, the wearer has authority over the elements. The material, colors and symbolism of the High Priests’ garments were:

White Linen............Righteousness, Purity (the earth - linen is made from flax)
Blue......................The Heavens, Presence of G-d (the air)
Purple....................Kingly Authority (the sea)
Scarlet...................Redemption (fire)
Gold......................Divine Nature

The New Testament Garments of the Priesthood

In typology, Jesus our High Priest, came to the earth; but was elevated to the divine. He has authority over all the elements.  He has all the qualities reflected in the eight garments. The colors and material of the garments of the regular priesthood were the same, except that they did not contain gold threads, that which expresses the divine nature. While man can possess the qualities of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, only G-d is divine.

The apostle Paul makes numerous references to the garments of the High Priest and priesthood when he  says:

“...put on the L-rd Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:14)

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)

“...put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him...” (Colossians 3:10)

Paul then describes, in typology , the eight articles of ‘clothing’ that should be seen in the character of the new priesthood of G-d:

”....put on (l) tender mercies, (2) kindness, (3) humility, (4) meekness, (5) long-suffering, (6) bearing one another, (7) forgiving one another,.....(8) But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” (from Colossians 3:12-14)

These eight ‘garments’ are those which must ‘be worn’ to distinguish the bondservants of Jesus, the holy priesthood of G-d, from an ordinary man.

Barukh HaShem (Blessed is the Name of the L-rd)

 
 
 
 
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