Hebrews 5:3

Hebrews 5:3

Sacrifices for sins

The writer is still seeking to draw our attention to the weaknesses of Jewish High Priests for he has a greater aim, that is, to show how Jesus exceeds their earthly ministry in every way. When Aaron, Zadok, Eliashib, Caiaphas and Co entered the Holiest of all, once per year, they had firstly to offer sacrifices for their own sins. In fact, they must have done this on more than just one annual occasion because these men were aware, more than anyone, of the far-reaching threat of the Law and their inability to keep it. Therefore, they would ensure their own holy state before God before interceding for their fellow Israelites. 

The rituals of the Day of Atonement were especially strict and are set out in Leviticus 16. Before entering the Tabernacle / Temple the High Priest must bathe and put on special priestly robes. He must then sacrifice a bull as a sin offering for himself and his family. (Leviticus 9:7. 16:6.) The blood of that same bull must be taken into the Holiest Place and sprinkled on the mercy seat over the Ark of the Covenant. This procedure was followed fastidiously, for the High Priest was aware of his own sinfulness and that he needed to make atonement for himself before he could act on behalf of the people. To enter God’s presence uncleansed was deemed to be risking certain death, which is why these men apparently had a rope tied around their ankles so that their corpse could be pulled out! (according to tradition.)

Later in Hebrews we are to be taught that Yeshua did not need to sacrifice animals to atone for His own sins either on the Day of Atonement or any other day. He came only to sacrifice Himself for the sins of His people and in that way, He was far superior to the priests who had preceded Him!  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psalm 106:13

Psalm 106:13 Do not forget We need to remember that Israel’s relationship with the Lord God was based on His laws and their obedience. It was possible for them to live lives that were highly blessed, that incorporated the provision of God in every tiny detail of their national and individual existence. God was prepared to give them everything they needed, He would provide food and water for them and their flocks. He would guide them on their journey. He would protect them from their enemies. He would inspire and direct their leaders. He would keep them from the heat of the sun and the terrors of the desert night. He would take them to the land that He had promised, in double quick time. There was no reason why they could not be in situ in just a few months. Everything they could possibly need was His to provide and He was willing to sacrifice anything to see them gratefully settled in Canaan.  There was just one snag, it all depended upon their obedience and faithfulness. God insis...
Read more
Psalm1:5       Our earthly journey will allow us, at times, to stand with the redeemed in holy awe and worship exhilarated by the presence of our Father.  In the Psalmists’ day these “assemblies of the righteous” would have been joyful times of worship at God’s sanctuary where music played, choirs sang and the people joined in the excitement and corporate wonder of being together in God’s presence. If our own church worship is anything, it should be a prelude to the time when we will join with a numberless throng and sing the praises of the Lamb and the One who sits upon the throne of heaven. Many go to events like Spring Harvest, Keswick Convention, New Day and the rest, primarily for this experience of joy and exhilaration.  Our earthly, joyful experiences are but a foretaste of what is to come and we are promised that we will join with heavenly choirs and our song will be “Worthy is the Lamb.”   Such music and exalta...
Read more

Psalm 119:83

Psalm 119:83 Wineskins in the smoke Well, this verse has caught us by surprise! What does it mean? As we will be aware, in ancient times, wine was not stored in purpose-made glass bottles but in animal skins. In order to keep the skin pliable and soft it must not be allowed to dry out for it would soon shrivel and crack. It follows that the last thing you would do with your treasured wineskins is to hang them up over a smoky fire, not only would they quickly wither but the smoke would clearly ruin the flavour and texture of the wine!  What does the author mean when he says that he is like such a wineskin?  It denotes the uncomfortable condition he was in or at least thought himself to be in; being caught in the midst of smoke is very uncomfortable, and he considered himself to be in darkness with sin and afflictions, like a wineskin in smoke, black and sooty. He felt like an empty wineskin with nothing in him. Maybe he was worn out with cares and old age and had become pale an...
Read more