An Everlasting Priesthood

Weekly Torah Lesson

Parasha:  Pinkas
Torah:  B’midbar 25:10 – 30:1

10  And Avinu spoke unto Moshe, saying, 11  Pinchas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. 12  Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: 13  and it shall be unto him, and to his seed after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was jealous for his Elohim, and made atonement for the children of Israel. (B’Midbar 25)

** “the covenant of an everlasting priesthood..” raises a question since the Levitical Priesthood hasn’t been operating in the capacity of a “Temple Service” for almost two thousand years.   

I think that the book of Hebrews answers the dilemma:

11  Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12  For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. (Heb 7:11-12)

But Meshiach came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. (Heb 9:11 )

not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another (Heb 9:25 )

** Pinkas was guaranteed a position in the Melchitzidekian Priesthood under the new, eternal High Priest, Yeshua HaMeshiach.

For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. (Heb 7:14 )

But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. (Heb 7:24 )

** What does this new priesthood mean for us?

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to Avinu through Yeshua HaMeshiach. (1Pe 2:5 )

** “..to offer up spiritual sacrifices..” A small part of the Malchitzedekian priesthood is on the earth, offering spiritual sacrifices while waiting for the return of our High Priest.  

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; (1Pe 2:9 )