Commentary on "Worship and Dedication"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 6: Thursday, October 15, 2009

 

Overview

Today, we continue our look at the dedication of the Levites in their tabernacle service where God states that "they are wholly given unto me from among the children of Israel".

With reference to Num. 8:19, two connected questions are asked. What is meant by the phrase that the Levites were to "make an atonement for the children of Israel"? How are we to understand this in light of the Cross?

 

Problems

To correctly answer these duel questions we need to take a look at something that isn't addressed:

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Heb. 4:14,15 ESV)

Jesus Christ is everything that the Levites and the Levitical priesthood symbolized and prophetically pointed to. But, as we study the book of Hebrews, we find vital differences. Most importantly, Levites were hampered by the need to offer sacrifices for their own sins before they could minister to the people.

Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. (Heb. 5:3 ESV)

Jesus Christ, being of the tribe of Judah, his priesthood abolished the role of the Levites and the Levitical priesthood.

Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. (Heb. 7:11-14 ESV)

Jesus, not being of the tribe of Levi, clearly abolishes the Levitical priesthood, and along with it, the Mosaic law it was meant to administer.

 

Summary

1. We learn much about our faith when we study the Old Testament. But, we must let the New Testament, in this case the book of Hebrews, be our commentary on the meaning of the Old. While we learn much in our study of the role of the Levites, it is vital to understand that the priesthood of Jesus Christ makes the old order obsolete. Along with a change of the priesthood was a change of the Law. The Law of Christ is not the Mosaic Law administered by the Levites. Read and understand Heb. 7:12 quoted in the above passage.
2. We are to place our faith and pattern our lives on the words of Jesus Christ above anything Moses has written within the context of the old covenant given to the Hebrew people. Moses gave us the 'shadow'. Jesus is the reality.

 

GO TO DAY 7

 

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