Hebrews 5:4

Hebrews 5:4

Called by God

Aaron was chosen by God to be the first High Priest of Israel (Exodus 28:1) and the choice of family to continue this privileged role was also in God’s hands. The Lord said to Aaron, ”But only you and your sons may serve as priests on connection with everything at the altar and inside the curtain. I am giving you’re the service of the priesthood as a gift. Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary is to be put to death.” Numbers 18:7. Traditionally, the role of High Priest passed from father to eldest son, and it was a “job for life!” However, by the time of Jesus these traditions had been taken over by politics, for centuries it had often been the Monarch who appointed the priest or later, government officials, the Priests were even appointed by lot and bribery was part of the process! 

This does raise the question of how ministers, clergy, pastors, bishops, elders etc are all appointed today. Each denomination has its own methods but there is no replacement for the “calling and appointment” by the Lord. It is His church, He is its High Priest and He alone has the choice as to who will serve with Him and who should be in positions of leadership and responsibility. A Theology degree or Bible College diploma are no substitute for the anointing and appointing by the Holy Spirit. Neither is church leadership a career, it is a vocation and the call has to be heeded by the candidate but also approved by the Lord. It is certainly not a democratic appointment for it is the Lord’s heavenly approval that matters, not the opinion of an earthly majority. Much prayer, fasting and waiting on the Lord is required. 

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