6.5. STANDARDS AS TO MINISTRY (Leviticus 21:1 to 22:23)

Standards for the priestly ministry are laid down in this section. Holiness in their service was to be preserved. The matters dealt with have a typical significance, of course, first application concerns the priesthood of the old law, but there is a strong spiritual application for the whole church of Christ in aspect of a royal priesthood.

1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a 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;"

There is also a pertinent word of application for the Christian minister who is under obligation to a life beyond reproach.

1 Timothy 3:2 "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;"

Leviticus 21:1 "... None shall defile himself for the dead among his people."

Defilement came by contact with the dead body. For the royal priesthood of the New Testament, it is a warning against contact with sin and worldliness. We are to be like our great High Priest, the Lord Jesus, in separation.

Hebrews 7:26 "For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;"

He did not separate Himself from the company of sinners - He sought them out and became the friend of sinners. Like Him, it is from the practices of sinners that we must separate. The exception for the priest was for his immediate family ("Leviticus 21:2-3" ).

Family ties were stronger than the ceremonial law. This teaches God's high regard for family life - also the interests of our spiritual family, the church, are of paramount importance.

Leviticus 21:7 "They shall not take a wife who is a harlot or a defiled woman, nor shall they take a woman divorced from her husband; for the priest is holy to his God."

Holiness is inconsistent with co-operation with sin. Reasons in include, "They shall be holy to their God." (Leviticus 21:6 ). From conversion we are set apart to God by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:11 "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God."

We are to become in practice more and more set apart for God's use. (1 Thessalonians 5:23 ).

Leviticus 21:6 "They shall ... not profane the name of God, ..."

Under the law offering sacrifices required holiness in those who offered. The offerings of the church are the bodies of every member (Romans 12:1-2 ) - sacrifices of praise (Hebrews 13:15 ) - sacrifices of well-doing (Hebrews 13:16 ). All are to be offered by a holy people.

"And the bread of God" (Leviticus 21:6 ). The offerings were God's food in the sense that they brought satisfaction to Him, typifying His real satisfaction in the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, which perfectly satisfied the Father and vindicated His law. Those who minister Christ, the Bread of God (John 6:32-33 ) to others, need to be set apart in life for His use. Co-operation with sin disqualifies from such service. Therefore Christian marriage must be only "in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 7:39. Compare: 2 Corinthians 6:14 ).

Leviticus 21:17 "Speak to Aaron, saying: 'No man of your descendants in succeeding generations, who has any defect, may approach to offer the bread of his God.'"

(Also Leviticus 21:18-24 ). Those who serve must have the same testimony of the Father that was pronounced on Jesus that He is well pleased with Him, (Matthew 3:17, 17:5 ), by allowing Christ Jesus full reign to live in and through his actions. It is interesting that full support of the offerings went to the one with physical defect (Leviticus 21:22 ). Spiritual food is granted to those with blemish in the body of Christ - with all its healing properties.

Leviticus 22:1-16 continues instructions about holiness of priests. Leviticus 22:17-33 deal with proper sacrifices to be offered and the way to offer.

Leviticus 22:32 "... I am the LORD who sanctifies you,"

This is the basis of our obedience - He lives within us as an abiding setting apart influence - working His obedience in us.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Are you to separate yourself from sinners, or are you to keep yourself from the practices of sinners (Leviticus 21:1; Ephesians 2: 1-2; Hebrews 7:26 )?

2. What do you understand "the bread of God" (Leviticus 21:16 ) to mean?

3. Do you expect the same pronouncement over your life and service that the Father spoke over Jesus (Matthew 3:17; 17:5 )?

4. How is it possible to attain the highest standards in serving God (Leviticus 22:31; Philippians 4:13 )?