Jeff's got a new book...

[for_his_glory]

The words that come to mind to me at this very moment are "In the beginning". Man is nothing if not God breathed.

 

[Deborah13]

Here is what I mean about God seen as Jesus appeared. (Yeah, from Jeff)

When one traces the origins of the Levitical priesthood, and of the Levites peculiar place among the other tribes, one will find that their being singled out is always connected to an act of violence in the name of righteousness. For instance, in one tradition (Gen 49:5-7), it seems to have been the murder of Hamor and Shechem, spoken of in Genesis 34, that caused them to be singled out as a Tribe, and in this instance their scattering and lack of inheritance is spoken of negatively. However, in Exodus 32:25-29, we read of the Levites as being the only tribe who rallied to Moses' side when he descended from Sinai and found the newly freed nation worshiping a golden calf. Not only did they show their devotion, but they, at Moses' command, went throughout the camp and slaughtered their family, friends and countrymen - 3,000 in all.

In each tradition it is an act of religiously motivated violence that singled the Levites out as the priestly tribe.

On the day of Pentecost, however, a glorious reversal occurs! You see, the Jewish feast of Shavuot, or Pentecost, was an acknowledgment and celebration of the giving of the Law at Sinai, where Moses ascended and then descended with the stone tablets in His hand. In the case of Pentecost, however, we have Jesus who ascended, and the Spirit who descends. In the wake of the Spirit's coming, we find that Peter and the Apostles stand and proclaim the Gospel, resulting in 3,000 believing and receiving life. Now, there very well could have 3,109 people who believed for all we know, but the writer goes out of his way to either round up or down to give us a number of "around 3,000". Why? Because the early Church understood that in Christ a transition had occurred. The Levitical priesthood, in every tradition, was established through an act of violence, but the Priesthood of Christ, a Priesthood said to be in the order of Melchizedek, was established through an act of peace and reconciliation. Instead of 3,000 losing their lives, 3,000 were given life. The subversive symbolism is obvious and beautiful.

In Hebrews 7, we're given a detailed description of the transition from the Levitical priesthood, a priesthood founded upon violence, and the Melchizedek Priesthood of Christ. Melchizedek, the writer is careful to point out, was called the King of Salem, which translates to "King of Peace". Why is this significant? Because in 1st century Jewish lore, some sects in Judaism had exalted the Biblical figure of Melchizedek to a Messianic position, and spoke of him as one who would come and execute vengeance against God and Israel's enemies (see fragment 11Q13, or Melchizedek's Jubilee). So to many, the name Melchizedek brought violence and vengeance to mind, but the true Melchizedek Priesthood was one that was founded upon peace, not vengeance!

Christ's Priesthood is not one that says "Whoever is on the Lord’s side will live, but whoever is not will die!", as did Levis’, but it is one that declares that God loves, accepts, forgives and serves even His enemies. This not only flies in the face of 1st century religion, but 21st century religion as well. For we have constructed a Jesus who is out to get the bad guys and punish those He (which really means "we") deem as being evil. The real Jesus, however - the Jesus of the Gospels - declares that the Father's perfection lies in His love for enemies and His willingness to do good for those who would do Him wrong.

You see, Christ is a priest in the order of Melchizedek, not Levi. When Levi reigns, 3,000 die, when Christ reigns 3,000 live. When Levi rules there is bloodshed and violence, but when Christ rules there is reconciliation and forgiveness!

The first time this was pointed out to me was a few years ago by, Joseph Prince.
(Does that comma belong there? :neutral)
Any who....the teaching is quite interesting. When we add to Jeff's words this scripture we should realize that things were amazingly different.
2Co 3:6 who also made us sufficient to be ministrants of a new covenant, not of letter, but of spirit; for the letter doth kill, and the spirit doth make alive.
I believe this refers to the Spirit given at Pentecost, by which the Gospel, Good News of the Messiah risen is preached.

 

[jasonc]

there was violence once at the wringing in the new covenant. it was the cross.

 

[Deborah13]

there was violence once at the wringing in the new covenant. it was the cross.

Hmm....Do we see both covenants represented in the cross?

 

[Willie T]

Hmm....Do we see both covenants represented in the cross?

Wouldn't it be said that up until Christ's resurrection, (....or, at least, until His death), the old covenant remained in effect? Each of the Gospels speaks, almost exclusively, of the Old Covenant.

 

[jasonc]

Hmm....Do we see both covenants represented in the cross?

god didn't plan it that way. surely not.

 

[Deborah13]

Wouldn't it be said that up until Christ's resurrection, (....or, at least, until His death), the old covenant remained in effect? Each of the Gospels speaks, almost exclusively, of the Old Covenant.

I think you are correct at least right up to His death. There was the approx. 40 yrs between the cross and the destruction of the temple. Maybe it was rather like a period of grace giving time for more conversions and the old folks under the Mosaic system to pass away. Like the 40 yrs between Egypt and the promised land.

 

[Willie T]

I think you are correct at least right up to His death. There was the approx. 40 yrs between the cross and the destruction of the temple. Maybe it was rather like a period of grace giving time for more conversions and the old folks under the Mosaic system to pass away. Like the 40 yrs between Egypt and the promised land.

We need to notice that the decision for destruction was not made 40 years after Jesus went to the cross... bur rather, that prophesy was made some time BEFORE the cross.

 

[for_his_glory]

Hmm....Do we see both covenants represented in the cross?

yes if you look at the types and shadows of the OT being fulfilled in the NT.