Ex 29 20 Context Directions for the

Ex. 29: 20 • Context: Directions for the ceremony to authorize Aaron’s family to serve as God’s priests (v. 1). – Ceremonies include symbolism – Ceremonies about service will include symbolism about serving

Ex. 29: 20 • Symbolism: – “right…, ” importance Ø Population 85% right-handed Ø Ps. 98: 1 Ø “Benjamin” means son of my right hand – “earlobes, thumbs, big toes…, ” service Hear, handle, walk – Ex. 28: 41, “ordain, ” lit. , “fill their hand with” (BDB)

Ex. 29: 20 • Summary: The Levite priest had his hands full serving God, the most important work on earth. Mk. 16: 15 -16 6, 546, 150, 248

I. MATTERS OF DIFFERENCE: A. Family makes a difference: ü Under the old covenant, only Aaron and his descendents could be priests. Under the new covenant, the only family requirement is that the preacher be a part of God’s Christian family. ü A Levite couldn’t be a part-time priest. But a preacher doesn’t have to be a full time preacher.

I. MATTERS OF DIFFERENCE: B. Gender makes a difference: Ø The current trend in the religious world is to allow, even encourage, women to preach to assemblies that include men. Ø This wasn’t allowed in the OT or NT: 1 Co. 14: 26, 34 -35; 1 Tm. 2: 11 -12 Ø “But what about Deborah? ” (Jdg. 4 -5) Ø “But everyone is doing it. ” Zeph. 1: 8

II. PARALLEL PURPOSES: (the consequences of their work) A. The OT priest: Forgiveness of sins was available to the people, Nu. 18: 1 -5 1, “Bear the guilt” implies responsibility, see Ezek. 18 and “sanctuary” 2 -4, the priests were responsible for maintaining a pure sanctuary and a pure priesthood. 5, only in this way could the priest intercede for the nation of Israel (v. 5).

II. PARALLEL PURPOSES: (the consequences of their work) B. The NT preacher: The gospel message is available… 1. To the lost: Rm. 10: 1. . . 14, 1 Thess. 2: 16 2. To the saved, 1 Tm. 4: 16 Ø Nu. 16

III. PARALLEL WORK: (how they accomplish their work) A. The OT Priest: Nu. 18: 6 -7

III. PARALLEL WORK: (how they accomplish their work) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Offered sacrifices Offered first fruits Pronounced benedictions Taught the law Lit the lamps in the tabernacle Kept the sacred fire burning Furnished wood for the sanctuary Responsible for the sanctuary Acted as scribes 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. Supervise tithing Sounded the trumpet Examined lepers Purified the unclean Valued things devoted Officiated at the Holy place Chiefs of the Levites Magistrates Encouraged the army Bore the ark in war (List taken from Naves Topical Bible)

III. PARALLEL WORK: (how they accomplish their work) A. The OT Priest: (cont. ) ü Burdensome work! Ø Teaching: Ezra 7: 8 -10; Neh. 8: 1… 18 Ø Judging: Ex. 18: 13… 18

III. PARALLEL WORK: (how they accomplish their work) B. The NT Preacher: 1 Co. 4: 16 -17, illuminating 2 Tm. 4: 1 -5, ouch! 1. Praying, Lk. 10: 2 2. Learning (Jn. 14) 3. Preparing lesson outlines 4. Preaching sermons 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Teaching classes Writing letters Traveling Studies Encouraging others Mk. 6: 30 -32

IV. PARALLEL INCOMES: (sources) A. The OT Priest: Nu. 18: 8 -10… 21, the Levites depended on the nation B. The NT Preacher: 1. May work for a living: 2 Thess. 3: 7, 8 2. May receive support: 1 Co. 9: 14 Ø From churches (Php. 4: 15 ff) Ø From individuals (Phlm. 22)

V. CONCLUSION: • Parallels show continuity. • Continuity points to design, wisdom, and control. • God is in control, Eph. 4: 8. • In His wisdom He gave us preachers, Eph. 4: 11 -13. • It’s simply a matter of using the design.