Question 17. Do the verses in Lev. 10:17; 22:16; Num. 18:1; Heb. 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5 follow out the thought of Exodus 28:38? W. H.
Ans. In Exodus 28 the garments of glory and beauty present (in figure) the offices of Israel’s high priest but fulfilled in Christ Himself. The priesthood in Israel failed, and these garments had to be changed for others when the high priest went into the Holiest of all (Lev. 16:4).
It is therefore the Lord Jesus as the Great High Priest we are to see in them. Crowned with glory and honor (Heb. 2:7-9). He is now not Israel’s High Priest, but ours, who have a heavenly calling. He ever liveth to make intercession for us (Heb. 7:25). In Israel, one family of the tribe of Levi was chosen as priests. Now, all believers are priests, holy priests to enter in and to offer sacrifices of praise. And royal priests to show forth the virtues of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:5,9).
Aaron and his sons had to offer sacrifices continually for their own sins, and for the sins of others; Christ’s one sacrifice for sin has perfected us forever.
Aaron and his sons, the offering priests (Christ in figure), had to bear the iniquity of those gone out of the way. Our great High Priest carries on His work for us all.
His love seen in Exodus 28:29, (for we are carried on His heart) and His power, (Ex. 28:12), (we are on His shoulders) tell us He can never fail. He will be all we need on the road, and will carry us on to the bright end before us – the glory of God (Ex. 28:36-38).
“For us He wears the Miter
Where “Holiness” shines bright.
Read hymn 114 in Little Flock Hymn Book (Heb. 10:21- 22).
We can draw near, without fear, in full assurance of faith. All the mistakes of our ignorance and of our infirmities are understood and borne by our High Priest. What a comfort it is to know that He bears the iniquity of them, and gives efficacy to every desire and thought that is for the glory of God.
This is not only true in our individual approach to God; it is also true for our collective prayers and worship, and should help us to bear with each other. We lose much if we allow in ourselves a spirit of criticism. If we look at the Lord in the midst of His gathered saints (Matt. 15:20), and at the saints as He sees them, we will see their faults, and, knowing our own also, we will pray for them. Satan wants us to see them through his eyes, and be like him, an accuser of the brethren.
We are children of the Father also, our worship is to be in the liberty of children, “The Father seeketh such to worship Him” (John 4:23).
Question 18. What does the thorn in the flesh mean (2 Cor. 12:7) ? M. E.
Ans. We are not told what it was. Galatians 4:13-16 is suggestive.
We see in it how careful the Lord was over the apostle, who might have been exalted above measure by the special privileges the Lord had given him. The flesh is just the same in an apostle as in us; it had to be kept down, so the Lord sent him something that kept him humble. Thrice he asked the Lord that it might be removed, but the Lord saw it was needed. Paul was in earnest and prayed on till he got the answer, “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” When he knew the Lord’s mind about it, he was content as his weakness brought in the power of Christ.
This is a lesson for us. We need to be kept humble, so a messenger of Satan is allowed to try us in some way, then we go to the Lord. If we do, we hear Him saying, “I will be your strength, I will be your stay”.
Precious Savior! May we never try to do without Thee.