Throughout Torah, we can read about the personal strains within the anointed priesthood of Aaron. Those struggles included being swayed by Israel to build a golden calf and losing his two sons due to their disrespect towards YHWH. Like us, his battles were real. In his example, we can see that no matter how close we are to being a royal priesthood in Messiah, our need to compromise can affect our anointing.
The prophet Ezekiel was given words from Yahweh to address this reality. Those words made a clear distinction between those who stay true to the priesthood anointing and those who do not. Which raises the question, “Is there an anointed priesthood, and if so, what do they look like?”
Before we answer this question, let’s remind ourselves what a priest is called to do.
A priest protects the oracles of Yahweh. They intercede for man coming before YHWH while “ministering” in the heavenly realms. Thus, a priest must be clothed in righteousness to approach the Great I Am. Consequently, due to their role, a priest must also warn or correct the people if they are worshipping any false gods.
A priest is not a pastor. Pastors shepherd people towards thoughtfulness; doing their best to impart knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. They encourage people to seek the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind.
In reading Ezekiel, chapter 40-48, we find a priesthood who “comes close to Yahweh” and “ministers to Him” in last days. It is a priesthood no longer concerned about daily duties in the courtyards of the temple, but are instead, called to protect and judge the ordinances, judgments, and holy days of YHWH. They are the Zadok priesthood. (Ez. 40:45-46, 43:19, 44:15-16, 44:23-24, 48:1-12)
So, is this priestly line from the generational lines of Aaron? And if we are to bring our living offering of sacrifice to YHWH (Rom. 12:1), shouldn’t we make ourselves familiar with learning how to be a priest before YHWH?
After the untimely deaths of Nadab and Abihu, Aaron had two other sons who fulfilled the roles of priest. They were Eleazar and Ithamar. Eleazar was the father of Phinehas, the young man full of zeal (righteousness) who stood against the heresy of Peor. In doing so, Phinehas protected Israel against God’s wrath.
Through the line of Ithamar, came Eli the high priest of Israel for whom the prophet Samuel replaced due to the sins of his two sons. The sins committed were: 1) taking sacrificial offerings for themselves, 2) performing immoral acts on women in the temple, 3) using the Ark of the Covenant in battle without the approval of YHWH. These sons did not protect Israel.
Fast speed forward and we come to King David and the anointing of Solomon in I Kings. At this time, we hear the name Zadok. He is of the Levitical line of Aaron, Eleazar, and Phinehas. In this chapter he is noted for “coming near” to David and “into his presence” in order to anoint David’s choice for king.
At the same time, Abiathar, from the line of Eli sought to anoint the unchosen son–Adonijah as a false king. As expected, Abiathar was also dismissed from being the high priest of Israel.
Do you see a picture? There is one priesthood who “comes near” to Yahweh’s Kingdom and protects Israel. There is also another priesthood who seeks the approval of man’s kingdom and fails Israel. At the end of Ezekiels prophecy in Chapter 48, we only see one priesthood in the millennial reign of Prince Yeshua. Can you guess which one?
The prophet Isaiah stated, “To Law (Torah) and to the Testimony (Messiah), if anyone does not speak according to these words there is no light in them.” (Is. 8:20)
The apostle John, the one closest to the heart of Yeshua, also reminds us of these words from the Messiah, “I am the light of the world.”
In short, any priesthood who does not protect the Kingdom of YHWH, by acknowledging Yeshua as the Anointed One should not gain spiritual authority in our lives. Therefore, I would urge us all to seek knowledge, understanding, and wisdom from those who “draw near” to YHWH’s Kingdom and the testimony of His Son.
Is there a High Priest for Isreal? I would say yes. Yeshua is the High Priest in the heavens interceding for us before the Father. (Rom. 8:34, Heb. 7:25) And, according to Ezekiels’ prophecy during the Millennial reign of Yeshua, there is a priesthood (whether spiritual or physical) that comes close and ministers to Him.
Is there anything we can learn from the Zadok priesthood? If the Apostle Peter calls us a royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9) due to Yeshua’s resurrection, shouldn’t we explore what it means to come close? If the prophecy of Ezekiel leads me to a greater wisdom of what it means to draw near and minister, then yes, I will seek to understand.
Be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn