Topical Bible: the High Priest Christ: Typified: Aaron

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The role of the High Priest in the Old Testament serves as a profound typology of Jesus Christ, the ultimate High Priest. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first to be appointed as High Priest, and his life and duties foreshadow the priestly ministry of Christ. This typology is rich with theological significance, illustrating the continuity and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus.

Aaron as High Priest

Aaron was chosen by God to be the first High Priest of Israel, a position of great spiritual responsibility and honor. His primary role was to act as a mediator between God and the Israelites, offering sacrifices for the atonement of the people's sins. The Book of Exodus details Aaron's consecration and the specific garments he was to wear, symbolizing holiness and the weight of his duties (Exodus 28:1-43).

Typology of Christ

1. Divine Appointment: Just as Aaron was divinely appointed to his role, so too was Christ. Hebrews 5:4-5 states, "No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him, 'You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.'"

2. Mediator: Aaron's role as a mediator prefigures Christ's ultimate mediation. 1 Timothy 2:5 affirms, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." Christ's mediation is superior, as He offers a permanent reconciliation through His sacrifice.

3. Sacrificial System: Aaron's priesthood involved the continual offering of sacrifices, which pointed to the need for a perfect and final sacrifice. Hebrews 10:11-12 contrasts this with Christ's work: "Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God."

4. Intercession: Aaron interceded for the people, especially on the Day of Atonement, when he entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of Israel (Leviticus 16). Similarly, Christ's intercession is ongoing and efficacious. Hebrews 7:25 declares, "Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them."

5. Holiness and Purity: The High Priest was required to maintain a standard of holiness, symbolized by his garments and rituals. Christ, however, embodies perfect holiness and purity, being without sin. Hebrews 4:15 notes, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin."

Fulfillment in Christ

The typology of Aaron as a High Priest finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who surpasses the limitations of the Aaronic priesthood. Christ's priesthood is according to the order of Melchizedek, eternal and unchangeable (Hebrews 7:17). His sacrifice is once for all, providing complete atonement and access to God for believers. Through Christ, the shadows of the Old Testament priesthood are realized in the substance of His perfect work.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 40:12-15
And you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Great High-Priest.
... and this eternal, independent priesthood of Christ is typified ... said to Him, "Thou
art a Priest for ever ... God still addresses Him as a High-priest according to ...
/.../chapter iv the great high-priest.htm

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Foreshadowed in the Ritual ...
... is to this coming forth of our High Priest that Heb ... foreshadowed not only the
cross-work of Christ and His ... God's right hand but that it also typified and looked ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/5 the fact of the.htm

Ninth Day. Holiness and Mediation.
... And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the ... Among the many points
in which the high priest typified Christ as our sanctification, there is ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/ninth day holiness and mediation.htm

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of ...
... bride;" in Moses, Christ the faithful Servant; in Aaron, Christ the great High Priest;
in Joshua ... In almost every detail of his life we see Christ typified. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/4 the fact of the.htm

Fifth Sunday in Lent
... 9. According to Leviticus 16, the high priest must once a year enter into the holy
place with the blood of ... This ceremony typified that Christ, the true ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday in lent.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... while the sin offering pointed to Christ as a sacrifice, and the high priest
represented Christ as a mediator, the scapegoat typified Satan, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... while the sin-offering pointed to Christ as a sacrifice, and the high priest
represented Christ as a mediator, the scapegoat typified Satan, the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

The Epistle to the Hebrews
... The tabernacle was only a temporary parable; Christ acts as High Priest in the holy
of holies, the actual presence of God typified by the tabernacle ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xviii the epistle to.htm

Scriptural Types.
... might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things ... Accordingly the priests who
typified Christ were taken from among ... that is called of God, as was Aaron. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Entire Sanctification in Type.
... be always upon the forehead of the High Priest, and must ... the priesthood and the
sacrifices were typical of Christ. ... The holy priest, under the law typified the ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iv entire sanctification in.htm