Daily Devotions
Hebrews
"Every high priest taken from among men..."
Text: Hebrews 5:1a
THE AARONIC HIGH PRIESTHOOD
How may we better understand the High Priesthood of Christ? The author felt that it would be best to make mention of the high priesthood in the following text.
“For every high priest taken from among men
is appointed for men in things pertaining to God…”
Hebrews 5:1
The beginning of the High Priesthood was carefully recorded (Exodus 28).
1. Chosen by God
“Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him,
from among the children of Israel, that he may minister
to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu,
Eleazar, and Ithamar.”
Exodus 28:1
2. Clothed in holy garments
A general description of the purpose of the holy garments was stated.
“And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother,
for glory and for beauty.”
Exodus 28:2
Three elements may be highlighted:-
a) The ephod
“Then you shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them
the names of the sons of Israel…
And you shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod
as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear
their names before the LORD on his two shoulders as a
memorial.”
Exodus 28:9-12
b) The Breastplate of Judgment
“You shall make the breastplate of judgmentâ?¦
So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel
on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes
into the holy place, as a memorial before the LORD continually.”
Exodus 28:15a, 29
c) The headdress
“You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it,
like the engraving of a signet;
‘HOLINESS TO THE LORD’
So it shall be on Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the
iniquity of the holy things which the children of Israel hallow
in all their holy gifts…”
Exodus 28:36, 38