Part XX1.1 - Laws For The Conduct Of The Priests
CHAPTER XXI.
LAWS FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE PRIESTS.
WE have in this chapter a further ordinance of practical sanctification, but specially for " the priests, the sons of Aaron." The same motive is again repeated, " I the Lord, Which sanctify you, am holy." In the case of one of the ordinary priests, who enter only into the holy place, a measure of defilement for the dead is permitted, " for his kin that are near unto him." The nearer we are to God the greater measure of holiness is involved and required. The high priest had access to the holiest, to the immediate presence of God; therefore, in his case nature might not at all intrude. But in the case of the priests generally, natural feelings were not entirely subordinated; for they can only be so when we know experimentally that the way into the holiest of all is made manifest through the vail, the flesh of Jesus, and have learnt there the knowledge, the portion of sons, that as He is, so are we. This is shown in the case of the High Priest. It is in the person of Jesus alone that life and immortality are brought to light: in Him we are brought nigh to God, counting ourselves to be dead and alive again in Him. But even a lower measure of understanding required a scrupulous observance of the ordinances enjoined. The priests were not to defile themselves by any outward mark or sign of this mourning for the dead. They should at least mourn as those who have hope, and that, too, a hope full of immortality. For their duty was to offer the sacrifices to the Lord made by fire, which marked His satisfaction and acceptance, and were a sufficient indication that death was no longer threatening. For death separates from God, since it testifies to the existence of sin which is hateful to Him. Neither can the office of the priest admit of connection with the harlotry of worldliness; for he is holy unto his God. His daughter, too, is cautioned against this as entailing judgment upon herself. But the high priest is not permitted any measure of defilement: for he represents the perfection of sonship, as revealed in the person of Christ.
Further, none that have any blemish may approach, either to the altar, or to the vail, to offer the offering ; though they may eat of the bread of their God, " both of the most holy, and of the holy."
God looks upon all who are brought nigh to Him as perfect, entirely perfect, in Christ, and it is in the apprehension of this fact that we practically draw nigh in the exercise of the priestly office. While we regard ourselves as in the blemishes of nature, we cannot do this. We may and shall get our needs supplied; for none other than the holy things may we eat. But the full privilege of service and worship we cannot have.