HEBREWS: Lesson 9 - Requirements for Priesthood & Spiritual Maturity

Chapter 5 is divided into three main sections:

1st - The Requirements for Priesthood (1-4)

2nd - Jesus Meets and Exceeds the Requirements (5-10)

3rd - Warning: Spiritual Maturity (11-14)

In his first two sections, the author reminds his audience of the requirements for becoming a priest. The Jews knew how special the priesthood was, especially the position of High Priest, and they had great respect for the position. The author then highlights how Christ far exceeds the qualifications to be THE Great High Priest.

The Levitical priesthood began at Mt. Sinai through Moses and ended when Christ abolished the Law of Moses on the Cross ("Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split," - Matthew 27:51). When the veil of the Temple was "torn in two from top to bottom", at that moment the Priesthood was abolished. All those who were/are "in Christ" were/are given full access to the Holy of Holies through Christ who is now seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven--the Holy Place.

God established the Levitical Priesthood (also referred to as the Aaronic Priesthood) through the three sons of Levi (Gershon, Kohath, and Merari). The Tabernacle began at Mt. Sinai in 1446 BC and it was at that time that special duties were given to each of the three lines of priests, but only the sons of Aaron could offer animal sacrifices or incense. Therefore, all of the High Priest came from descendants of Aaron.

Moses functioned as a priest on three occasions, all before the priesthood was consecrated to serve "after the order of Aaron."

1. Ex 24, when he sprinkled the book and the people at the ratification of the Law.
2. Ex 40:22f, when he set up the tabernacle, put bread on the table, burned incense on the altar of incense, and offered a burnt offering and meal offering on the altar of burnt offering.
3. Lev 8, when he anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, the priests, and offered a sin offering, a burnt offering and an ordination offering  for the consecration of the priests.
4. After that priests must be "after the order of Aaron," Heb 7:11.

Why Moses is called a priest in Psalms 99:6 may be a matter of special privilege since he functioned as HIGH priest before Aaron got his exclusive rights. It really should not surprise us. Why would he lose this power and position when he appointed Aaron? I think the answer is that he did not. Moses must have been a full priest forever, but thereafter Aaron's sons were the chosen ones.

High priests were appointed for life by Moses, but at the time of Jesus were appointed annually by the Romans. This is why we have multiple high priests at the trial of Jesus (Annas and Caiaphas). Annas was High Priest from 6-15 AD. Then from 16-30 AD Caiaphas was High Priest. In 60-63 AD, Ananias was the high priest who tried Paul in Acts 23:2.

The priesthood continued down to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD when it became physically extinct, but it was rendered spiritually extinct at the death of Christ (33 AD) being replaced by the priesthood of believers in Christ. Today, every Christian is a priest and Christ is our high priest.

NOTE: When King David designed the Temple, had all the stones precut and ready for Solomon to build it without a cutting tool, he also reorganized the priesthood into 24 divisions. These 24 divisions continued down to the time of Christ (1 Chronicles 24:1-6).

Below is an extensive diagram showing the Levitical Priesthood.

After making the argument that Christ fulfills the requirements to be the One and Only Great High Priest, the author then turns to his third warning which will continue through Chapter 6. He realizes that he can't continue discussing the deep things of the spiritual life because of the dullness of hearing (vs. 5:11) which is apparent among many of those in his audience. Dullness is interpreted stupid, thick, lazy or sluggish.

In verses 12-14 the author speaks very strongly to the Jews who have yet to accept Christ fully. He tells them that "by this time" they should be mature enough to be teaching others, but instead, they have forgotten even the basics of the things of God. The time period is unknown but could have been as long as 10 years. It would be like trying to teach 6th graders who had forgotten their A-B-Cs.

He goes further using the analogy of a baby needing milk and being unable to eat solid food. These unsaved Jews were like little birds in a nest with their mouths wide open waiting to be fed by their mother. They were "unskilled in the word of righteousness".

The last verse in Chapter 5 gets us ready for the first word in Chapter 6: "Therefore...". He says in verse 5:14: "solid food belongs to those who by reason of use have their sense exercised to discern both good and evil." 

"Reason of use" means to learn, obey, and apply. It would mean to actively study God's Word, pray, worship, serve, and fellowship. Without "exercising" all these spiritual disciplines in your life you will not be able to discern good from evil. This is the beginning of a passionate warning the author is bringing to these unsaved Jews. They are Jews who have turned from Judaism but have yet to fully commit their lives to Christ.

So far, the author has issued three warnings:

1st WARNING: Neglecting the Gospel

2nd WARNING: Drifting and Hardening of One's Heart

3rd WARNING: Lacking in Spiritual Maturity

The author will continue through chapter six addressing this third warning as he points out the great need for spiritual maturity ("let us go on unto maturity...") and exhorts the unsaved Jews against being dull of hearing and "sluggish" ("And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.")

Next week we will begin Chapter 6 and also revisit our discussion on sanctification and holiness.

Jesus said to His Father, "Sanctify them by Your truth. your word is truth." (John 17:17)