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HUMAN HIGH PRIEST VS HEAVENLY HIGH PRIEST

Hebrews 5:1-4

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.  In Hebrews 5, the inspired penman begins to expand on the subject of Jesus as our High Priest.

 

B.   This, however, is not the first time Jesus has been mentioned as a High Priest.

 

C.  Before we examine chapter 5, let’s look at some background information about the office of the high priest under the Old Covenant.

 

D.  In chapter five, we see the “Human High Priest vs. Heavenly High Priest.”

 

E.   Outline:

 

i.             The Human High Priest (Heb. 5:1-4)

ii.            The Heavenly High Priest (Heb. 5:5-10)

iii.           The Hearing of the Hebrews (Heb. 5:11-14)

 

I.         THE HUMAN HIGH PRIEST (Heb. 5:1-4)

 

A.  His Station (Heb. 5:1)

 

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in thing pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

 

1.    Rank:   high priest

a.    Strong (749):  high priest, the chief of priests

b.    Thayer:  chief priest, the chief of priests

2.    Relationship:  is ordained for men

a.    Ordained

1)     Strong (2528):  to place down (permanently), that is, (figuratively) to designate, constitute, convey   :- appoint, make, ordain, set

2)    Thayer:  to set, place, put…to appoint one, to administer an office

b.    For men

3.    Realm:  things pertaining to God

4.    Responsibility:  that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins

a.    Offer

1)     Strong (4374):  to bear towards, that is, to lead to, tender (especially to God), treat

2)    Thayer;  to bring to, lead one to a person who can heal him or who is ready to show him some kindness…bring a present or a thing

b.    Gifts and sacrifices

c.    For sins

1)     Strong (266):  sin             :- offence

2)    Thayer:  to be without share in, to miss the mark, to err, be mistaken, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness…to wonder from the law of God, violate God’s law, sin…in thought or in act

 

B.   His Sympathy (Heb. 5:2)

 

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.

 

1.    The passion:  who can have compassion

a.    Strong (3356):  to be moderate in passion, that is, gentle, (to treat indulgently)

b.    Thayer:  to be affected moderately or in due measure…of one who is not unduly disturbed by the errors, faults, sins of others, but bears them gently

2.    The persons

a.    The ignorant

1)     Strong (50):  not to know (through lack of information or intelligence)  :-  (be) ignorant…not know, not understood, unknown

2)    Thayer:  to be ignorant, not know, not to understand…to err or sin through mistake, to be wrong

b.    On them that are out of the way

1)     Strong (4105):  to roam (from safety, truth, virtue)  :-  go astray, err, wander, be out of the way

2)    Thayer:  to go astray, wander, roam, to be led away from truth, to lead into error, to be led from the path of virtue, to go astray, sin

3.    The parallel:  for that he himself also is compassed about with infirmity

a.    Compassed

1)     Strong (4029):  to lie all around, that is, inclose, encircle, hamper  :- be bound (compassed) with

2)    Thayer:  lie around, to be compassed, have round

b.    Infirmity

1)     Strong (769):  feebleness of body or mind…malady, moral frailty

2)    Thayer:  want of strength of the soul…to restrain corrupt desires

 

C.  His Sacrifice (Heb. 5:3)

 

And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

 

1.    His offense:  and by reason hereof

a.    In Hebrews 5:2, we learned that he was compassed about my moral frailty.

b.    By reason hereof

1)     Strong (1223):  the channel or act

2)    Thayer:  the ground or reason by which something is done

2.    His obligation:  he ought

a.    Strong (3784):  to be under obligation (ought, must, should)

b.    Thayer:  to owe, to be in debt for, that which is due

3.    His offering:  as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins

D.  His Selection (Heb. 5:4)

 

And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

 

1.    Self appointment

a.    No man put himself into the office of high priest

b.    Taketh

1)     Strong (2983):  to get hold of

2)    Thayer:  to take with the hand, lay hold of…in order to use it, to claim for one’s self, take possession of

c.    Honor

1)     Strong (5092):  a value…esteem of high degree or the dignity itself

2)    Thayer:  honor which belongs or is shown to one, of the honor which one has by reason of rank and state of office which he holds

2.    Selection:  is called of God

a.    Strong (2564):  to call, to bid

b.    Thayer:  to call, to invite…to be called, i.e., to bear a name or title (among men)

3.    Sample:  as was Aaron (Exo. 28:1)

 

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.