Hebrews 5 (1)

Introduction
The focal point of Jewish religion at the time of the book of Hebrews was the work of the priests. Through their work of sacrifice and intercession, they could bring a form of rest to worshipers. They were appointed to bring God’s people into a right relationship with Him, and to help them remain there. This was a high calling, indeed, but the priests of Israel were as weak and fallible as those who turned to them for rest.

Read Leviticus 9.1-22.

Read Hebrews 5.1, 2.

Think it through.
1.  The priests of the Jewish religion were, after all, men like everyone else (v. 1). They were taken “from among men” and appointed by God “for men in things pertaining to God.” What things? What did priests do, and how was this beneficial for those they served? At the time of this writing, the priests were probably still functioning this way in Jerusalem. All that would change in 70 AD, when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. What became of the work of priests at that time? And when that work ceased, what happened to the “rest” people found from the work of those priests?

2.  The best priests of ancient Israel were men of learning and compassion. They knew God and they loved the people they served. They longed to help God’s people abide in Him. Undoubtedly, there were still many good and compassionate priests at the time the book of Hebrews was written. But they were nevertheless “subject to weakness” like all men. What kinds of weakness? How could that affect the “rest” people sought from them? Meditate on 1 Peter 2.9. What does it mean that you are part of a “royal priesthood”? How does that oblige you in relation to God? To the people God calls you to serve?

Meditate.
“…here also he opens out the other path of the priesthood, showing its superiority from the things which happened before. And as, in the matter of punishment, he brings before them not hell alone, but also what happened to their ancestors, so now here also, he first establishes this position from things present. For it were right indeed that earthly things should be proved from heavenly, but when the hearers are weak, the opposite course is taken.” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

But you area chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light… 1 Peter 2.9

You have appointed me as a priest to You, O Lord, for the sake of my neighbors. I understand that this means I must… 

Pray Psalm 132.13-18.
Pray that the Lord might “clothe” you “with salvation” today, so that you might fulfill your calling as one of His royal priests.

Psalm 132.13-18 (Finlandia: Be Still, My Soul)
God dwells among us, and He will forever, 
To meet our needs and clothe us with His grace.
He has to us sent Jesus Christ, our Savior, 
And made us His eternal resting-place.
His foes are banished from His presence ever, 
But we shall reign with Him before His face.

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.