The Calling of the High Priest

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Introduction

The High Priesthood was an office for a man that was called and knew God and feared Him. The first time it appears in the Bible is in Genesis 14:18 - And Melchizedek, King of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the Most High God.

Then we see in Exodus 40:12-15 - And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the congregation, and wash them with water. (13)And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. (14)And thou shalt bring his son’s and clothe them with coats: (15)And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

In this study we will look at the priesthood and see what God demanded of man to become a servant of God as a high priest; I believe these are the same demands for today’s ministers, and their walk with the Lord. It was always God’s plan to have a man that He could speak through and bring Spiritual understanding to the people, and that His word would be made known to all. What a loving God we serve; to care for us enough to desire to speak to us, and through us, and teach us.

We can see in the Scriptures that it is very important to God that the High Priest was to be perfect in every way, and that was hard to do. Many of the priests fell short of it. Hebrews 5:1-9 - For every high priest taken from men is ordained for men in the things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; (2)who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. (3)And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. (4) And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. (5)So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he said unto him, thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee. (6)As he said also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (7)Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; (8)though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; (9)And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Jesus, the perfect man, had to be the one to bring the full salvation to mankind.

Hebrews 9:11 - But Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building. II Corinthians 5:1-5 - For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in heaven.

Introduction - page 2

Revelation 1:5,6 - And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness, and the first-begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (6)and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. I Peter 2:9 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

We are a spiritual tribe of God called out of every nation to bring forth the praises of God to a lost and dying world. Jesus, our High Priest told us in Matthew 5:14-16 - Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. (15)Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16)Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The priests of the old testament were taken from the tribe of Levi as young boys and were trained in the ways of the Priesthood. Malachi 2:7,8 - For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts. (8)But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of Host.

Today we have the same problem, we take young boys and train them in the way of God. But if the Spirit of God is not in them, then all we are doing is teaching the letter of the law and not the Spirit of it.

Leviticus 21:16-23 - And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, (17)speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. (18)For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, (19)of a man that is broken-footed, or broken-handed, (20)or crookbacked, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvey, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; (21)No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the Lord made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God. (22)He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy. (23)Only he shall not go in unto the veil, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the Lord do sanctify them.

1. A Blemish: Leviticus 21:16-21

Lev.21:17…Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.

Definition of Blemish: A flaw in character or weakness. Any mark that makes something imperfect; a defect.

I Peter 1:16 - Because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy. God has called us to be holy, and put on the perfection of Jesus through His blood. To be holy is to be made complete in Him. In Jesus we are made all complete.

I John 1:5 - But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we are in Him. Hebrews 7:11 - If, therefore, perfection were by the levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec and not be called after the order of Aaron? Hebrews 9:11 - But Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say not of this building. I Corinthians 3:16 - Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Let us look at this: If the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin and all unrighteousness, that means that we can stand in the perfection of Jesus and be perfect.

Paul said in II Corinthians 13:11 - Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Well I said all of that to say this: we are a chosen generation, a Royal Priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him. Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

2. A Blind Man: Leviticus 21:18

There is none so blind than he that will not see; the doctrine of men will blind you so you cannot see the glory of God.

We can see the spiritual blindness of the priests of Jesus day. St. John 9:39,40,41 - 39:Jesus said, For judgement I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40:And some of the Pharisees which were with Him heard these words; and said unto Him, are we blind also? 41:Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should nave no sin: but now ye say, we see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Isaiah 6:9,10 - And He said, Go, and tell this people, hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 10:Make the heart of this people fat, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert and be healed.

A spiritually blind priest cannot see the vision or purpose of God in his life or the life of the people of God to lead them in the direction they must go, for without a vision my people will perish. Luke 6:39 - Can the blind lead the blind?shall they not both fall into the ditch?

A Spiritual Leader must see with the eyes of the Spirit. Jesus told us how to do this in St. John 5:19-20 - The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what he seeth the Father do; for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 20:For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth Him all things that Himself doeth: and shew Him greater works thatn these, that ye may marvel.

Jesus said in St. John 16:13 - that the Holy Spirit will show us things to come and lead us into all truth.

We will end with this: Paul said in Ephesians 1:18 - The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.

3. The Lame Man: Leviticus 21:18

Definition of Lame: Disabled in the leg or foot; crippled. Weak; painful; or unsatisfactory.

The lame man, he can see what God is doing, but for some reason cannot, or will not, walk in it. This type of priest will use God’s word as a crutch to support their own doctrine’s. He will always compromise in what he believes.

Paul told Timothy in I Timothy 1:6,7 - From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7:Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. His pain or weakness is that he cannot control his own flesh.

In Romans 8:5 - For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh… and the flesh will knock your feet right out from under you and then you will become spiritually lame.

Proverbs 26:7 - The legs of the lame are not equal; so is a parable in the mouth of a fool. Bitterness is the most likely thing that happens to people who become spiritually lame.

Hebrews 12:12,13 - Wherefore, lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13:And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Your walk is very important to the Lord.

Philippians 3:17 - Brethren, be followers of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example. 18: for many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.

The walk of Jesus in I John 2:6 tells it all: He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked.

4. A Flat Nose: Leviticus 21:18

To look at this blemish you could wonder what was the meaning of this, but all these have a Spiritual and physical meaning. The natural sense is to smell what is good or what is bad. A lot of times you can tell a long way off what smells good and what smells bad. The word smell means to detect or become aware. The Spiritual sense is to discern good and evil, and a lot of priests cannot do this. They just let whatever happens happen. What a sorry thing for the people of God. Paul tells us what will happen in II Corinthians 11:13-15 - For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14: And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15: Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. We can see in the old testament 1 Kings 3-9 Solomon ask the Lord for discernment to rule over the people of Israel

There are a lot of evil spirits out in the world today and we need to know how to discern them. Hebrews 5:14 - but strong meat belongeth to them that are full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

And in I Corinthians 2:14 - But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. That is why we read in I John 4:1 - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. By these words, not only the ministers need discernment, but the people of God ALSO need discernment.

5. Anything Superfluous: Leviticus 21:18

The word superfluous means more than needed or desired (unnecessary); a surplus. It is like someone with six fingers or toes. Some may say a surplus of fat is superfluous, but I won’t. Let us look at the spiritual meaning of this word and how it affects us today: The reality of it is that God is enough. He is all complete. You can’t add to Him or take away from Him. He is All in All, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending.

I Corinthian 2:16 - For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him?….

I Corinthians 8:1,2 - Now as touching things offered unto idol, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2: and if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

A lot of ministers who believe they are above sin, fall to the sins of the flesh. They think they can justify what they do, whatever it is. In the beginning, when God created man, he was made perfect, without sin, and lived in the garden with Eve. And they both could walk and talk with God. What a thought to commune with God face to face. Sin is superfluous to man. It was added later when they disobeyed God’s Word. And added to man that he would return tot he dust of the Earth. And for two thousand years, man lived with this curse, until the second Adam came to Earth to set men free.

I Corinthians 15:22 - For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 15:45 - And so it is written, The first man, Adam, was made a living soul; the last adam was made a quickening spirit. Jesus took that which was superfluous from man, that is to say, sin and the curse. So we can now stand complete in Him, and through His blood we can become the Adam with Him and put on the perfection of righteousness of God. Romans 8:14 - For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God.

6. Broken Footed: Leviticus 21:19

A priest who has a broken foot, at one time could walk straight, but something or someone turned him away from the truth. For a time, he did see the vision of God, but couldn’t walk in it.

II Peter 2:21,22 - For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it to turn from the Holy commandment delivered unto them. 22: But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb: The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. This blemish of a priest show’s that he stepped on a doctrine or a truth that broke him in his walk with the Lord. What happens in this case is he made up his own truth as he goes and says this is revelation of God.

I Peter 2:1,2 - But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2: And many shall follow their pernicious way; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. A half truth is more dangerous than a lie. A lie can be put down easy, but a half truth more difficult. Where does the truth end and the lie begin. That’s the devil’s greatest weapon and has killed more people than anything else. We need the Holy Spirit to lead us.

Psalm 121:3 - He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Proverbs 3:26 - For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

7. Broken Handed: Leviticus 21:16

A priest with this blemish of a broken hand can’t reach out and take the vision and give it to the people of God. He does not have the power of God to do the Spiritual Warfare to bring the vision to pass. His weak hand is a lack of Spiritual leadership; he has a hard time in making decisions, he will say one thing and do another.

James 1:6-8 - But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed, 7:For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. 8:A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.

This priest will tell people what they want to hear so he can stay in good standing with them. He will compromise the Word of God to suit them. The priesthood is to serve God first, then the people will hear the Word of the Lord, but this priest will not keep his word. He will break his promises he made to people, you can’t trust him. He will lie to your face and not blink and eye.

II Peter 2:15-18 - Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. 16:But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbade the madness of the prophet. 17:These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the midst of darkness is reserved for ever. 18:For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from who live in error. Paul said to Timothy: II Timothy 3:5 - Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Paul warns us to stay far away from this type of priest. II Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your ownselves. Know ye not your ownselves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates, Christ in you the hope of Glory.

8. Crookbacked: Leviticus 21:20

A Priest with this blemish has a lot of distortion in his life. The meaning of this word is something not straight: bent; dishonest; wicked. This priest is one of the worst of them all. He knows the truth, he can see vision, but goes out of his way to destroy the things of God and pollute his people. He blames God for his own failure and short-comings. His anger eats at him all the time. He can be most dangerous at times.

I Samuel 2:22-24 - Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 23:And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? For I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. 24:Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord’s people to transgress. The sin of the priests will destroy a nation of God. We see this in the Old Testament more than once. But thanks be to God that his mercy is everlasting!

I Samuel 2:35 - And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build nim a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointer forever. I Timothy 3:1 - This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. Let us keep our hearts and minds in the love of God.

9. Dwarf: Leviticus 21:20

This blemish means: a thing much below normal size or to hinder from growing to natural size; to stunt. This priest is one that likes to make some one look smaller than himself, he feels inferior in his life but hides it well. He will tell you he knows the Word, but he is a Spiritual dwarf. He is a novice.

I Timothy 1:7 - Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. This priest will keep this people from growing in the truth, and when someone starts to grow, he will try to discourage him in anyway he can. This priest knows just enough to get by. This is a very carnal man.

I Corinthians 3:1-3 - And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but unto carnal, even as babes in Christ. 2:I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3:For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? Hebrews 6:1,2 - Therefore leaving the principled of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2:of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement.

Don't let anyone stunt your walk with the Lord, grow on to the fullness of God.

10. Blemish in the Eye: Leviticus 21:20

This blemish is one that a lot of ministers have today. It is hard to see all that we need to see all the time. People expect, sometimes, way to much of their priest. It is hard to live up to someone else’s expectations. It will blur your vision of people and of God, and it is hard to see into the Spirit the things that God wants to be done when you are having a hard time seeing through the blur. And you can tell because they usually go this verse: II Corinthians 13:12 - For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And they don’t really know what they are talking about when they read this verse, because they are spiritually impaired in their vision. But they are good at guessing, and know about human nature, and they usually go into sociology. But sociology can not look into the spiritual man. It can only try to help the natural man.

I Corinthians 2:11-14 - For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12:Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13:Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth; but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14:But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:22,23 - The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23:But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

A High Priest must be able to see the vision of God clearly to fulfill the will of God. He not only needs good eyes in the natural man, but also in the Spiritual man too.

Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

11. Scurvy: Leviticus 21:20

The word “scurvy” means a lack of. In the life of a priest, it is a life of dedication to God and His Word. A lack of prayer and fasting and study will bring about a slow spiritual death, the vision will slowly die. I have seen this happen to a church. What an agonizing thing to see. Pain and hurt is all that is left and it would take a big vitamin shot in the arm to help. Sometimes, the only thing to do is for the priest to leave before he kills everyone with him - and I have seen this happen also. Get back to God before it is too late! Satan is a liar! It is never too late to go to a loving God who waits for you.

I Thessalonians 3:10 - Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see Your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith. Paul goes on in 4:12 - and tell them this, That ye walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Paul tells Timothy in II Timothy 2:15 - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.

Don’t let this disease destroy you.

12. Scabbed: Leviticus 21:20

A “scab” is a crust that is formed over a wound or sore. A spiritual wound will keep your mind off the things of the Lord. All you can think of is this wound that is hurting you. When one part of the body hurts, the whole body suffers. And when the priest is hurt, the whole body feels it. This priest needs the healing oil of the Holy Spirit to come on his life. If not, the devil will be there to pick at the sore until it bleeds. This is usually a wound that a friend has done to him, someone he trusted and was betrayed by him.

Proverbs 18:8 - The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. This is a deep wound that can take a long time to heal, if it ever can be. And this happens a lot more times than a minister would like to confess. A minister said to me, that a minister must have the mind of a scholar, the heart of a child, and the skin if a rhinoceros. That pretty much tells it all.

Paul had a thorn in the flesh and sought three times that it would depart from him, but II Corinthians 12:9 - the Lord said to him, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

13. Stone’s Broken: Leviticus 21:20

This priest cannot conceive or give birth to the vision of God. He is impotent. The need to bring forth the things of God are not in him, he is spiritually a dead man.

Genesis 1:28 - And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it. But this priest has no desire to do anything. I guess he is like a spiritual eunuch, all the desire is gone out of his life. You have to wonder what happened to this priest? I think it happens more than we think. He is usually in it for a profession, like a doctor or a lawyer, just something to gain a livelihood, not knowing the anointing of God that is supposed to go with it.

Malachi 2:1-2 - And now, O ye priest, this commandment is for you. (2)If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, or give glory unto My name, saith the Lord of host, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

Jesus had a lot of problems with the priest’s of His day. Matthew 12:22-25 - then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. (23)And all the people were amazed and said, Is not this the son of David? (24)But when the pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils but by Beelzebub the prince of devils. (25)And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. All through Jesus’ ministry, the priests did everything to destroy him, and when Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead, that was it! They took counsel to kill him, John 11:53 - Then from that day forth, they took counsel together for to put him to death. I Corinthians 2:8 - Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.

In ending this study, let’s look at one more verse: I Peter 2:5 - Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ