Compare Numbers 18:1 with Hebrews 7:27 regarding priestly duties and responsibilities. The weight placed on Aaron’s line “ ‘You, your sons, and your father’s house will bear the iniquity connected with the sanctuary, and you and your sons will bear the iniquity associated with your priesthood.’ ” (Numbers 18:1) • Israel’s worship depended on Aaron’s family carrying the guilt that accrued at the holy place. • “Bear the iniquity” means God held them personally liable when anything profaned the sanctuary (cf. Exodus 28:36-38; Leviticus 16:6, 11). • They had to offer sacrifices for their own sins before ministering for the people (Leviticus 9:7). • Repetition was built in: daily offerings (Numbers 28:1-8) and yearly atonement (Leviticus 16). • Failure brought swift judgment (Leviticus 10:1-2; Numbers 16:46-50). The once-for-all answer in Christ “Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for sins once for all when He offered up Himself.” (Hebrews 7:27) • Jesus, though truly human, is “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners” (Hebrews 7:26), so no sacrifice for His own sin is required. • His single self-offering satisfies the entire debt of iniquity, ending the need for repeated animal sacrifices (Hebrews 9:12; 10:11-14). • He bears our sin as the spotless Lamb (Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:24) yet never becomes guilty Himself. • The sanctuary responsibility shifts from fallible priests to the flawless High Priest who “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25). Side-by-side comparison " Aspect " Aaronic priests (Numbers 18:1) " Christ (Hebrews 7:27) " "-------"--------------------------------"-----------------------" " Personal sin " Guilty and liable; must atone for themselves first " Sinless; no offering for Himself " " Frequency " Continual—daily, weekly, yearly " Once for all time " " Sacrifice offered " Animals’ blood " His own blood and body " " Result " Temporary cover, guilt still returns " Permanent forgiveness, guilt removed " " Access to God " Mediated through flawed men " Direct, through a perfect Mediator (Hebrews 4:16) " Why the shift matters to believers • Assurance: our standing with God rests on a finished work, not fragile human mediation. • Freedom: no threat of priestly failure; Christ “holds His priesthood permanently” (Hebrews 7:24). • Worship: gratitude replaces anxiety—“Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22). • Identity: we become “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), serving under the High Priest who already bore all iniquity. |
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