Yesterday I mentioned that Hebrews 5:4 really ministered to me a few years back. Today we are going to begin to look at the rest of the chapter..
Look at the first two verbs in verse 1, taken and appointed (by the way the English version I use is the NASB). In the Greek these two words are in passive voice. That means that the action happens to the subject of the verb. So in the case of the high priest, he does not choose to be high priest, he is chosen.
In verse 4 the word translated “takes” in the NASB is the same word translated “taken” in verse 1. So putting the concepts together the high priest is taken and appointed and does not take the honor. The picture is clear. The high priest is not someone who sought that position, campaigned for the honor, rather it was the one who was chosen of God.
The high priest was the spiritual leader of the Jews. So this speaks, I think, to those who as Paul says in 1 Timothy 3:1 aspire to lead. One may aspire to, one may not take leadership. One is placed there by God. Psalm 75:6 – 7 says the same thing. God is the one who choses leadership.
There are some interesting implications from this. I will unwrap later in this series.
In verse 4 the word translated “takes” in the NASB is the same word translated “taken” in verse 1. So putting the concepts together the high priest is taken and appointed and does not take the honor. The picture is clear. The high priest is not someone who sought that position, campaigned for the honor, rather it was the one who was chosen of God.
The high priest was the spiritual leader of the Jews. So this speaks, I think, to those who as Paul says in 1 Timothy 3:1 aspire to lead. One may aspire to, one may not take leadership. One is placed there by God. Psalm 75:6 – 7 says the same thing. God is the one who choses leadership.
There are some interesting implications from this. I will unwrap later in this series.
The point you make is clear: one may aspire (greatly desire) to lead, yet should not make himself a leader. It is God who calls (Heb 5:4, also passive voice). The author of Hebrews also uses Aaron as an example to prove his point.
ReplyDeleteThe author of Hebrews also uses example of Jesus, the High Priest, who hasn't made himself one, but rather was made/chosen/appointed by the Father, Heb 5:5-6.
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