Near to the Heart of God:
A Study of the Book of Hebrews
Lesson 11
Hebrews 5:1-10
High Priests and the Great High
Priest
I. Introduction
A. “He’s not much, but he’s all we’ve got.”
B. Themes in Hebrews
1. From good to better (Hebrews 1:4;
3:1-6; 7:19, 22; 8:6).
2. From “shadow” to “substance”
(Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 8:1-2;
9:11, 24; 10:1)
3. From Aaronic priesthood to Christ, to
the better order of Melchizedek (Heb.
4:14—10:39)
C. Aaron: Does clothing make the man?
See Exodus 28; Leviticus 16
High Priest’s Clothing
The High Priest
Remembrance Stones
Two Onyx Stones
Urim and Thummim
The Turban and Crown
The Robe
The Pomegranates and Bells
Priestly Garments slides from:
http://www.templeinstitute.org/beged/prie
stly_garments-2.htm
I. Introduction
D. Things about Aaron that are hard to forget
1. The golden calf incident (Exodus 32)
2. Lot’s sons’ (Nadab and Abihu’s) “strange
fire” (Leviticus 10:1)
3. Aaron’s rebellion against Moses (Num. 12)
4. Moses always seems to be the mediator
when there is a crisis.
5. “Is this the best the grace of God can do?”
E. Thank God for Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18-20;
Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5-7 [8X])
F. The Structure of our text.
1. Qualifications of the high priest (5:1-4)
2. The qualifications of Christ (5:5-10)
I. Introduction
G. Christ our High Priest in Hebrews 1-4
The Son is the radiance of his glory and the
representation of his essence, and he sustains all things
by his powerful word, and so when he had
accomplished cleansing for sins, he sat down at
the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3).
17 Therefore
he had to be made like his brothers
and sisters in every respect, so that he could
become a merciful and faithful high priest in
things relating to God, to make atonement for the
sins of the people. 18 For since he himself
suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help
those who are tempted (Heb. 2:17-18).
I. Introduction
G. Christ our High Priest in Hebrews 1-4
1 Therefore,
holy brothers and sisters, partners in a
heavenly calling, take note of Jesus, the apostle and high
priest whom we confess, 2 who is faithful to the one who
appointed him, as Moses was also in God’s house (Heb.
3:1-2).
14 Therefore
since we have a great high priest who has
passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let
us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a
high priest incapable of sympathizing with our
weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every
way just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us
confidently approach the throne of grace to receive
mercy and find grace whenever we need help (Heb.
4:14-16).
II. Job Description and Qualifications of the
Old Testament high priests (5:1-4)
A. Job description: To represent men
before God by offering gifts and
sacrifices for sins (5:1)
B. Qualifications
1. Humanity – taken from among men
2. Purity / Access to God
3. Empathy and compassion
4. Authority
III. Qualifications of Jesus Christ as our Great
High Priest
A. Job description: To represent men
before God by offering gifts and
sacrifices for sins (5:1).
III. Qualifications of Jesus Christ as our Great
High Priest
B. Qualifications
1. Humanity (2:9-17, esp. vss. 14, 17)
2. Purity / Access to God (1:1-4; 2:14,17;
4:14; 5:7-9)
3. Empathy and compassion (2:17-18;
4:15; 5:7-8)
4. Authority (5:5-6)
5. Longevity (5:6; contrast Numbers
35:25-28)
IV. Conclusion
A. Tracing the flow of the argument
1. He made purification of sins (1:3)
2. Made like His brethren . . . to make
propitiation for the sins of the people (2:17)
3. Our apostle and high priest (3:1-2)
4. A great high priest who has passed through
the heavens (4:14), and yet can sympathize
with our weaknesses because He was
tempted, yet without sin (4:15).
5. We should hold fast our confession(4:14)
and draw near with confidence (4:16).
6. We have Old Testament precedent for such
a great high priest (5:1-4).
7. Our Lord’s credentials are superior (5:5-10)
IV. Conclusion
B. John Piper: role of Old Testament Scriptures
C. Note how the author has linked Kingship and
Priesthood and eternality.
D. The ideal for a high priest is not Aaron, but
Melchizedek.
E. The model for human / earthly priesthood is
corporate, not individual. (The pastor as the
priest)
F. Empathy toward the weak (is not a fallen
leader, but a “perfected” High Priest – Jesus)
G. We can be confident in the only One who is
qualified, and who cannot fail.
H. Clothing does make the man (Adam and Eve,
Aaron, and us).