22. Prophet, Priest And King Series

[IN GOD’S IMAGE 22 – PROPHET, PRIEST AND KING]

This message is part of a series of 90 sermons based on the title, “In God’s Image – God’s Purpose for humanity.” This series of free sermons or the equivalent free book format is designed to take the reader through an amazing process beginning with God in prehistory and finishing with humanity joining God in eternity as His loving sons and daughters. It is at times, a painful yet fascinating story, not only for humanity, but also for God. As the sermons follow a chronological view of the story of salvation, it is highly recommend they be presented in numerical order rather than jumping to the more “interesting” or “controversial” subjects as the material builds on what is presented earlier. We also recommend reading the introduction prior to using the material. The free book version along with any graphics or figures mentioned in this series can be downloaded at www.ingodsimage.site - Gary Regazzoli

We have been discussing various questions regarding the Mosaic Covenant.

• Last time we looked at the changing dietary laws and misconceptions concerning sacrifices offered to God.

• The changing aspects of the dietary law revolved around who God was offering salvation to at the time, the Israelites in Moses’ time and the Gentiles in Peter’s time.

• Clean foods represented Israel and unclean foods represented Gentiles.

• However the primary message is not about food, but rather how God is offering salvation to both Jew and Gentile alike especially as viewed from the perspective of the two sets of animals going onto Noah’s ark.

• Pagan superstitious sacrifices are offered as a way to manipulate or influence the gods to gain some positive benefit from them – rain, crops, good health, etc.

• But the sacrifices commanded by the God of Israel had a totally different aim.

• They were made not to appease or manipulate God but to remind the people of the source of the grace, mercy and forgiveness extended towards them (Exodus 34:5-7).

• So the animal sacrifices of both the Mosaic Covenant and the Lamb of God’s sacrifice of the New Covenant are reminders for us to worship the One who is gracious, faithful, and merciful and has redeemed us from our sins.

• He is not to be regarded and worshipped as a god who can be influenced by manipulative human beings.

• The object of true worship is to focus on God and His graciousness (Exodus 20:2-3; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25).

Now we need to address the two distinct priestly roles of Moses and Aaron.

• In an earlier sermon, I mentioned how the Mosaic Covenant allowed for the unique opportunity to develop a structure where both the administrative and spiritual aspects of government were pulling in the same direction.

• There was no separation of church and state as there are in our western democracies.

• Moses headed up the administrative side and Aaron headed up the priesthood, sacrificial and tabernacle functions.

• You may remember Moses was the one who the people came to in order to make judgments on disputes that came up (Exodus 18:13-14).

But there was another important function Moses played in the spiritual life of the nation – He too had a priestly function.

• When God wanted to communicate to the children of Israel, He would do so through Moses, not Aaron.

• Exodus 33:10-11 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.

• So here we see Moses also a priest from the tribe of Levi given the role of “spokesperson” or the “word” of God.

• So Moses enjoyed a special role as God’s spokesperson that not even Aaron, the high priest enjoyed.

• Also when it came to matters of revealing God’s will for the Israelites as in the giving of the Covenant and the law, it was done through Moses, not Aaron.

• Aaron had the responsibility of administering the priestly responsibilities revealed by God through Moses such as the functions of the priesthood, the tabernacle, and the sacrifices.

• So we see a separation of priestly responsibilities between Moses and Aaron.

• Moses acted as the Word/Logos/Spokesperson/Prophet and Mediator in relaying God’s will to the people.

• Aaron’s responsibilities were restricted to the liturgy and rituals associated with the priesthood and the Tabernacle.

• But Aaron’s responsibilities were subordinate to Moses’ role - he was to carry out the instructions God gave to Moses.

But right from the very start of the Covenant relationship, we see tension developing between these two important priestly roles.

• While Moses is up on Mt. Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, what do we see happening back at the foot of the mountain? Aaron played to the wishes of the crowds and built a golden calf (Exodus 32).