It Was Not Found.
We can be restored to our priestly office and relationship with God through the Priest after the order of Melchizedek.
F.B. Meyer discusses the importance of maintaining one's identity and calling as a priest of God, using the example of individuals whose names were not found in the priestly register due to worldly alliances and loss of assurance in their sonship. He emphasizes that many may feel distant from God and out of harmony with others because they have strayed from their divine lineage. Meyer reminds us that despite these challenges, there is hope in Jesus Christ, our High Priest, who can restore us to our rightful place and provide spiritual sustenance. The sermon calls for self-examination and a return to our true identity in Christ.
Text
It was not found. Neh. vii. 64.
CERTAIN claimed the maintenance of the priests, and were challenged to show their name in the register of the priestly line. In all likelihood they were descended from the sons of Aaron, but through marriage outside the priestly clan, and through the fact also of the name of the mother's father being adopted, their names were not reckoned in the priestly genealogy; consequently, their claim for priestly maintenance and service could not be established.
Is there not something like this still? Men, who were called to be God's priests, drop out of the register of those who serve before Him. It may be they are not sure of their genealogy, and have lost the assurance of sonship; their spirit is no longer filled with the blessed co‑witness of the Holy Ghost. God is afar from them; and, being out of harmony with Him, they are out of sympathy with their fellows. They are, therefore, rightly put out of the priesthood.
Now trace this matter back to its beginning. As likely as not you will find it originated in some worldly alliance. He that will be a friend of the world is necessarily an enemy with God. For a mess of pottage Esau loses his birthright.
But all this can be put right. There has arisen a Priest, who holds the Urim and Thummim in his hand: God's own Priest after the order of Melchizedek. "Wherefore it behoved Him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God." He waits to reinstate the erring soul, restore it to the priestly office, and give it priestly food and maintenance.
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Being Out of Harmony with God
- The Origin of Being Out of Harmony
- The Solution to Being Out of Harmony
- The Priest after the order of Melchizedek
- Restoration to the priestly office
- Reinstatement and priestly food and maintenance
Key Quotes
“He that will be a friend of the world is necessarily an enemy with God.” — F.B. Meyer
“For a mess of pottage Esau loses his birthright.” — F.B. Meyer
“He waits to reinstate the erring soul, restore it to the priestly office, and give it priestly food and maintenance.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- We must be careful not to claim to be God's priests without being in the register, lest we be put out of the priesthood.
- We can get out of being out of harmony with God by seeking restoration through the Priest after the order of Melchizedek.
- We must beware of worldly alliances and the loss of our birthright for something of lesser value.