Letter to the Hebrews Volume 39

 Qualifications for Earthly Jewish High Priest Part 2

Hebrews 5:3-4 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. KJV

The writer goes on here now to finish out this point, purpose, and priority of God the Father to use men from among the Jewish people then in Israel and from among men now in the Body of Christ (who are also sinners and not divine beings, that is, angels or cherubims) to do His will then in the Nation Israel and now in the Church of Jesus Christ with these next words here in verse 3, "And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins." (Hebrews 5:3) (KJV). The little English phrase 'by reason hereof' is translated by the Greek word dia which is a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through, by, or via. In this case, the writer uses this phrase/Greek word to define why the high priest is to do what his office requires of him to do and that is because of his own sinfulness as a mortal man himself standing before a Holy God who cannot even look upon sin, as it is written, "Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?" (Habakkuk 1:12-13) (KJV). The little English phrase 'he ought' is translated by the Greek word opheileō meaning (as used here) (through the idea of accruing); to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively to be under obligation (ought, must, should); be bound, (indebted). The idea here is that the high priest was bound by duty (because of his own infirmity or sinfulness) to make sacrifices for the sins of the then Jewish people and for himself.

As it is written here, "And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you. And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded. Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself." (Leviticus 9:6-8) (KJV). See also Leviticus 9:9-24. It must be understood, that during that time the Jewish people (individually) could not approach God and only could do so by bringing their animal sacrifice to the high priest to absolve or free themselves of their sin. We will learn later on in this very same letter to the Hebrews that none of the many animal sacrifices made by the people at the Jewish Temple could ever absolve or free them from the guilt of their sin, for this was only possible after our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ died on the Cross and shed His Blood (the very Blood of God) for all the sins of all the people who would come to Him in repentance and faith. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of this verse, "Because he is a sinner; an imperfect man. 'As for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.' To make an expiation for sins. He needs the same atonement; he offers the sacrifice for himself which he does for others. The same thing is true of the ministers of religion now. They come before God feeling that they have need of the benefit of the same atonement which they preach to others; they plead the merits of the same blood for their own salvation which they show to be indispensable for the salvation of others."

The writer of Hebrews now declares that the earthly office of high priest was not formed by the Jewish or Hebrew people, but it was God who established this office and appointed Aaron (Moses' brother) as the high priest and all of his descendants or future generations to serve as high priest in Hebrew Nation, as it is written here in verse 4, "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Hebrews 5:4) (KJV). Aaron did not petetion Moses for this position, but God spoke to Moses and commanded Him to appoint Aaron to this office, as it is written here, "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto Me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto Me in the priest's office." (Exodux 28:1-3) (KJV). As this relates to the Body of Christ today or to the Church today, we can conclude the same to be true of the ministry today and that is that God is still calling out of His Body specific people to lead and teach His adopted son's and daughters from His Holy Word. As it is written here by the Apostle Paul, "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:11-16) (KJV).  

There should be no man or woman who appoints themselves to do so without the clear, concrete, calling of Almighty God. Here is what Matthew had to say of this verse, "He must have both an internal and external call to his office: For no man taketh this honour to himself (Hebrews 5:4), that is, no man ought to do it, no man can do it legally; if any does it, he must be reckoned a usurper, and treated accordingly. Here observe, 1. The office of the priesthood was a very great honour. To be employed to stand between God and man, one while representing God and His will to men, at another time representing man and his case to God, and dealing between them about matters of the highest importance - entrusted on both sides with the honour of God and the happiness of man - must render the office very honourable. 2. The priesthood is an office and honour that no man ought to take to himself; if he does, he can expect no success in it, nor any reward for it, only from himself. He is an intruder who is not called of God, as was Aaron. Observe, (1.) God is the fountain of all honour, especially true spiritual honour. He is the fountain of true authority, whether He calls any to the priesthood in an extraordinary way, as He did Aaron, or in an ordinary way, as He called his successors. (2.) Those only can expect assistance from God, and acceptance with Him, and His presence and blessing on them and their administrations, that are called of God; others may expect a blast instead of a blessing."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…