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Our Greatest Need #12: The Order of Melchisedek

March 20, 2021

The next few teachings on Sabbaths will be focusing on the Sanctuary. Dr. Leslie Hardinge was my professor in college and his research and teachings surpassed anything I ever learned since that time on the subject.  This series of blogs will be focusing on the priesthood for a few weeks and will most likely, if not all, be taken from Shadows of His Sacrifice by Dr. Hardinge.  Let us begin: The meaning of the word “priest” from the Greek word “presbuteros” basically means an older person, an elder, the patriarch of the family to whom the others look with respect. Adam was the first priest. Abraham was a priest too, and so was Noah. The fathers of every family were priests until the time of the golden calf. Then Moses drew a line and said in effect, “All those who have been faithful to the Lord step to this side.” The tribe of Levi responded. The Lord said, “Because Levi has been faithful, I will choose the priests from among them.”

Centuries before, Levi had been cursed. In his dying prophecy Jacob had declared of Levi, “I will scatter thee in Israel.” (Genesis 49:7). This curse proved to be a blessing! In taking the priests from the Levites and then scattering them among the tribes, God disseminated the ministry of reconciliation from the six cities of refuge throughout Israel. Next the Lord chose Aaron of the tribe of Levi to be high priest because he completely repented of his sins. As a result of this experience, Aaron was able to lead the rest of Israel into perfect penitence. His eldest son after him was to be the high priest while the rest of the sons of Aaron were the common priests. So, the organized priesthood of Israel started.

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