THE LEVITIC PRIESTHOOD

Theme: THE LEVITIC PRIESTHOOD.

YO. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIESTHOOD:

A. The Levites and priests were called by God, Num. 1:48-51; 18:1-7

Note: They were chosen by God, they were not there of their own free will, they received that privilege from God… the call is by grace.

b. The functions of the priests:

1. Mediators between the people and God. (intercessors, offered sacrifices…)

two. Consult God for his direction.

3. Interpreters and teachers of the law of God.

c. The high priest: Lev. 21:10-15.

1. He was the head priest.

two. He alone entered the LSS once a year for atonement.

3. His clothing was different from that of the other priests.

Four. Only he consulted God for Urim and Thummim.

5. He alone acted as mediator between the entire nation and God.

d The requirements of the priests:

1. Without physical defect (Lev. 21: 16-24).

two. He had to marry an exemplary woman (virgin).

3. He should not contaminate himself with pagan customs, nor touch unclean things.

Note:

divine holiness demands purity in those who approach him; Just as the lamb was a lesson for the future, so were the conditions of the Levitical priesthood for us today.

AND. The garments of the priests: Ex. 28: 1-6…40-43…

1. Made of the best fine linen and of exquisite workmanship, dressed with dignity and beauty = (the service or ministry must be carried out with dignity and respect).

two. White = (indicating that we should lead a clean and holy life).

3. The dress of the high priest was special:

a. Fine white linen tunic.

b. Blue mantle (in its border gold bells and blue pomegranates).

c. the ephod

Note:

linen, gold, blue, purple and scarlet, two onyx stones on the shoulder pads each with 6 tribes, the pectoral with the twelve stones each with one tribe, shoulders = strength and chest = heart indicating that: “the true intercession springs from the heart and is done with all the strength”.

Inside the pectoral the Urim and Thummim to consult God = heart…

d. The miter that had a small plate of pure gold with the words “HOLINESS TO THE LORD”…

Note:

we cannot serve God with negligence, or indifference, the ministry must be the result of knowing God intimately… diligent service to God must be born in a heart full of gratitude, not fear.

F.
The support of the priests:

1. Cities, Num. 35: 1-4, 7. (Of these 48 cities, 13 were given to the priests and 35 to the Levites.)

two. Tithes, Num. 18: 21, 24-28. (They had to be faithful giving also their tithes…)

3. Firstfruits, No. 18: 12-13.

Four. Meat of certain sacrifices, No. 18…

5. Other offerings for consecrations.

II. CONSECRATION OF PRIESTS:

A. God chose them and established how they would be consecrated, Ex. 29:1…

b. The washing, Ex. 29:4.

c. The giving of the sacred garments, Ex. 29:5-6.

d They were anointed, Ex. 29:7-8.

III. THE IRREVERENCE OF TWO PRIESTS:

The sin of Nadab and Abihu, Lev. 10:1-3, 8-11.

Conclusion:
God called us by his grace and mercy, he has been exceedingly good, he has given us eternal life and his patience is impressive, and all the glory belongs only to him, because “the work that he has begun in us will not be finished until he perfects it” … The God we serve is holy, and expects from us a holy life and a worthy ministry… God expects a service out of gratitude, with awe not fear, a service driven by love for him…