Post by Mark on Feb 21, 2009 6:42:24 GMT -8
Messiah must fill the role of priest. One of the arguments of Jewish scholars who deny Yeshua as Messiah is the contradiction that He will fill both roles of Priest and King (Hebrews 8:1). The priestly lineage is promised to the house fo Levi, through Phinehas (Numbers 25:7-13). The throne is promised to the house of David, a descendant of Judah.
Zechariah 6:12-13 declares that the Messiah will be both King and Priest, according to the order of Melchizedek.
And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
(Zechariah 6:12-13)
What seems to be the breach of promise to Phinehas is actually a fulfillment of earlier prophecy. In Genesis 49:5-7, Levi is cursed by his father with the promise that his descendants will serve the house of his brother Judah. The tribe of Levi still officiates as priests throughout the ages (Ezekiel 44:15); but the position of High Priest is reserved for Messiah.
Yeshua’s lineage also leaves room for accommodating the promise to Phinehas. Mary, the mother of Yeshua, and Elizabeth were sun-gunace (near kin), translated “cousins” in many Bibles( Luke 1:36); but meaning that they were related within one generation. We know that Elizabeth was on the tribe of Levi (Luke 1:5). While Mary is heralded by the angel as the mother of a “Son of David” (and she did not question that title), it is presumed that she was of the Tribe of Judah; but based upon her relationship to Elizabeth, her mother must have been a Levite. If Mary’s grandmother bore no sons, then the right of inheritance passes legally through the daughter (Numbers 27:7-8), thus making Messiah Yeshua legitimate as heir to the priesthood.
Zechariah 6:12-13 declares that the Messiah will be both King and Priest, according to the order of Melchizedek.
And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
(Zechariah 6:12-13)
What seems to be the breach of promise to Phinehas is actually a fulfillment of earlier prophecy. In Genesis 49:5-7, Levi is cursed by his father with the promise that his descendants will serve the house of his brother Judah. The tribe of Levi still officiates as priests throughout the ages (Ezekiel 44:15); but the position of High Priest is reserved for Messiah.
Yeshua’s lineage also leaves room for accommodating the promise to Phinehas. Mary, the mother of Yeshua, and Elizabeth were sun-gunace (near kin), translated “cousins” in many Bibles( Luke 1:36); but meaning that they were related within one generation. We know that Elizabeth was on the tribe of Levi (Luke 1:5). While Mary is heralded by the angel as the mother of a “Son of David” (and she did not question that title), it is presumed that she was of the Tribe of Judah; but based upon her relationship to Elizabeth, her mother must have been a Levite. If Mary’s grandmother bore no sons, then the right of inheritance passes legally through the daughter (Numbers 27:7-8), thus making Messiah Yeshua legitimate as heir to the priesthood.