The Two Lines from Aaron
The priesthood in Israel began with Aaron, the first high priest, and his four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. These sons were divinely chosen to serve before God. However, Nadab and Abihu were struck down for offering “strange fire”—an act of unacceptable worship (Leviticus 10:1–2). After their deaths, the priestly line continued through Eleazar and Ithamar.
At Aaron’s death, God appointed Eleazar as high priest, and through Eleazar came Phinehas, his son and grandson of Aaron. Phinehas is notable for receiving from God a covenant of peace and an everlasting priesthood (Numbers 25:10–13). This was a direct result of his bold zeal for the Lord when others remained silent.
When the Israelites sinned by committing immorality with Midianite women, Phinehas rose in holy reverence. He struck down Zimri, a prince of a chief house of the tribe of Simon and Cozbi (princess), a daughter of Zur, a head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian, in an act that turned away God’s wrath from Israel. While leaders like Moses, Joshua, and the elders were silent—perhaps due to fear or respect of persons—Phinehas acted with holy conviction, not honouring men but God. His zeal foreshadowed the role of Jesus Christ, our ultimate High Priest, who would make atonement for humanity and turn away God’s righteous judgment.
This covenant ensured that Phinehas’s descendants would perpetually hold the priesthood. Yet, Scripture records an interruption in this line: Eli, from the line of Ithamar (1 Chron. 24:3; 2 Sam. 8:17), assumed the high priesthood during the time of the Judges (1 Samuel 1:3, 9). Although he functioned in this role, Eli’s lineage lacked the covenant of peace that God had established with Phinehas.
While the reasons for Eli’s appointment are not fully explained, we know that God gave him and his household a chance to walk faithfully before Him (1 Sam. 2:30), just as He had with Abraham in Genesis 17:1—“Walk before Me and be perfect.” Sadly, Eli’s family failed to uphold this standard.Eli honoured his sons more than God, despised God and His sacrifice, and was greedy They did not walk in integrity, and the consequence was a divine rejection of their priesthood (1 Samuel 2:31-35,37).
Reflection:
Are you a respecter of persons or a pleaser of men? God does not use such for His holy work. Like Phinehas, God is looking for men and women who will stand for righteousness even when others remain silent—people who walk in holiness, fear God above man, and are zealous for His name.
Eli’s Line: A Ministry Marked by Rejection
Instead of attracting the covenant of peace and a lasting priesthood as Phinehas did, Eli’s lineage attracted a curse. Though both Phinehas and Eli descended from Aaron, their outcomes differed drastically—one walked faithfully with God, the other did not. The distinction was not in their heritage but in their heart and conduct.
This sobering contrast remains relevant today. In many churches, compromise and tolerance for sin have taken root. God is still seeking men and women like Phinehas—believers, brethren, and elders who will stand against corruption, rebuke sin boldly, and uphold God’s standard.
Jesus displayed this same righteous zeal when He overturned the tables of the money changers who had turned the temple into a den of thieves (John 2:13–17). Zeal for God’s holiness is not fanaticism—it is faithfulness.
When God cannot find the bold and faithful among the esteemed, He raises the humble and obscure. Samuel, a child ministering before the Lord, was raised in the midst of a failed priesthood to become a prophet, priest, and judge over Israel. God’s work does not stop for human unfaithfulness; He will always raise a vessel who will walk in His ways.
If God’s can’t find faithful men, he can raise the little ones like Samuel
The Camouflage of Rejected Ministers
Years after God had cursed the household of Eli, Ahijah—a descendant of that same lineage—continued to serve as high priest. During the battle against the Philistines, he stood under the shadow of Saul and his 600-man army beneath a pomegranate tree in Migron (1 Samuel 14:2)—a tree symbolizing divine blessing. Yet, instead of returning to God in repentance, Ahijah remained unrepentant, unreformed, and spiritually blind. Saul, Israel’s first king, had also been rejected by God for disobedience (1 Samuel 13:13–14). This alliance—of a rejected priest serving a rejected king—created a deceptive image of divine authority. Together, they projected a false appearance of spiritual legitimacy, as if fulfilling God’s prophecy in 1 Samuel 2:35: “I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever.” But this was a counterfeit—a rejected ministry attempting to imitate the real move of God
Jonathan and his armour-bearer stood on the frontlines, not with titles or symbols of religion, but with faith, ready to walk under God’s instruction. Jonathan stood out because he walked by faith, not by sight or numbers. “It may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few” (1 Samuel 14:6). And God honored that faith.
When Jonathan and his armour-bearer began to rout the Philistines by faith, Saul—unaware of God’s true movement—panicked and tried to regain control. He ordered a roll call to find out who had left the camp and discovered that Jonathan and his armour-bearer were missing. In response, Saul called for the ark and the high priest Ahijah, hoping to appear spiritually engaged and in control. But as Ahijah stretched out his hand, God increased the commotion in the Philistine camp. In response, Saul cried out, “Withdraw your hand!” (1 Samuel 14:19). Why?
God was saying: This cursed priest—operating under a closed heaven, in the era of Ichabod (departed glory in their lives)—must not touch the ark of My presence. He must not lay claim to the victory I am accomplishing through faithful servants like Jonathan. God’s glory will not be shared with unfaithful ministers. As it is written, “God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27)—so that no flesh may glory in His presence.
This moment exposed the hollowness of their spiritual roles. Their ministries had the appearance of godliness, but no power or approval from God. It was all camouflage—a false front cloaked in religious language and tradition, yet lacking true substance or divine backing.
In a time of widespread confusion, Jonathan was not confused. He moved by the Spirit, and he was not put to shame. May you be absent from the gathering of confused and deceived multitudes like those with Saul and Ahijah—may you instead be found, like Jonathan, standing with the Lord in the battlefield for enduring faith in God’s word. God is seeking men and women who walk in the Spirit, who discern His leading—not those who align themselves with the religious crowd clinging to spiritual language while estranged from God’s presence.
Those who remained with Saul and Ahijah—those who never separated themselves by faith—were led deeper into distress. Their own spiritual leader, blinded by ambition, bound them with a foolish oath: “Cursed is the man who eats food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies” (1 Samuel 14:24). This selfish vow plunged the people into weakness and sin. When they eventually ate, they did so in violation of God’s law—devouring meat with the blood, because they had been driven by hunger, not wisdom (1 Samuel 14:31–34).
What a tragedy: people who obeyed their false spiritual leader to the point of sinning against God.
Beware of such leaders today—false prophets and teachers who come in sheep’s clothing, speaking spiritual language and claiming victories, but are inwardly wolves. They seek honour for themselves. They demand your submission, not for God’s sake, but for their own gain. Their doctrines may sound right. Their gatherings may seem powerful. But like Saul and Ahijah, they operate under a rejected anointing, deceiving many while having lost the presence of God.
Let us be like Jonathan—not swayed by numbers, not caught in the crowd, but walking by faith and led by the Spirit. God is still raising up a faithful priesthood—those who walk in His heart and mind, aligned with His true King, Jesus Christ.
Reflection:
God is not deceived by titles or spiritual performances. When ministers continue in office without the presence of God, their work becomes self-serving and disconnected from divine purpose. True leadership in God’s kingdom is based on obedience, humility, and a life that seeks God’s heart—not public recognition or religious posturing.
Detained Before the Lord
1 Samuel 21:7
“Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord. And his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdsmen that belonged to Saul.”
In 1 Samuel 21:7–9, we are introduced to Doeg the Edomite, a man of notable position—chief herdsman and a senior staff in Saul’s royal administration. He was found “detained before the Lord” in the tabernacle on the same day David visited. Though physically present in the house of God, Doeg’s heart remained far from the covenant. Being an Edomite, he lacked the Abrahamic covenant and the election of grace that rested upon the lineage of Israel. His presence in the sanctuary did not equate to transformation.
Despite being in a sacred environment under the leadership of Ahimelech the priest—a descendant of Eli—Doeg remained untouched by the spiritual atmosphere. Why? Because the priesthood under Eli’s line had already been rejected by God. The sermons, rituals, and religious routines were no longer effective in changing lives. This reality reflects what we see today in many congregations: people gather week after week, yet their lives remain unchanged, still held captive by sin.
Many churches today are filled with “Doegs”—people detained before the Lord but never transformed. The cause is often the same: a rejected or compromised priesthood. Ministers once called by God now driven by lust for money, popularity, applause, and personal gain. As a result, the altars are no longer burning with God’s presence, and the people are left vulnerable to deception and spiritual decay.
1 Samuel 2:31–33 foretells the downfall of Eli’s house:
“Behold, the days come, that I will cut off your arm… you will see an enemy in my habitation… all the increase of your house shall die in the flower of their age.”
This judgment was not just personal—it stripped the sanctuary of divine power. Even though the tabernacle remained, its glory had departed. And in such environments, even the presence of the Word, the bread, and the sword—as David encountered—cannot rescue a soul like Doeg who stands unrepentant.
In modern times, churches sometimes employ strategies to “detain” people before the Lord: countless programs, award nights, comedy shows, motivational sermons—all crafted to keep congregants entertained or emotionally engaged. But many of these are driven not by a burden for souls, but by carnal motives: maintaining membership numbers, increasing tithes and offerings, receiving praise from denominational leaders, and securing personal promotion.
But let it be known: God’s Spirit does not entice or manipulate. He seeks true worshippers—those who worship in Spirit and in truth, willingly and without coercion. It is Satan who uses enchantments, soothsaying, flattery, and manipulation to detain souls in deception.
Philippians 3:18–19 warns us:
“Many walk, of whom I tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ… whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame.”
Many ministries have become enemies of the cross—seeking comfort, gain, and reputation over sacrifice, repentance, and truth. The result is Ichabod—the glory has departed—yet the programs continue.
But there is hope. In the midst of spiritual decay, God has promised to raise up a faithful priest—one who will walk according to His heart and mind (1 Samuel 2:35). That faithful priest is ultimately Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, who was made like us so He could make reconciliation for our sins.
Hebrews 2:17
“He had to be made like His brethren in every respect, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God.”
Let us return to Him. Let us purge the altars and repent of detaining people by man-made programs, seeking instead to feed them with life-giving truth. Leaders, beware of becoming Doeg, or of standing with Eli. Let us not attract judgment, but embrace the covenant of peace and faithfulness.
God is still seeking faithful labourers—may He find you among them.
Dangers of Detaining People Before God in the Church
In 1 Samuel 21–22, Doeg the Edomite emerges again—not just as a passive observer detained before the Lord—but now as the executioner of God’s judgment against a priesthood that had already been rejected.
When Saul heard that David had been helped by Ahimelech, the priest from Eli’s lineage, he summoned him for questioning. Saul, filled with rage and suspicion, commanded his guards to strike down the priests of the Lord. But none of Saul’s servants would lay their hands on the priests—they feared God’s law concerning the sacredness of the priesthood.
However, Doeg, unbound by covenant or conscience, stepped forward. With a hardened heart and unflinching obedience to Saul—not to God—he slaughtered eighty-five priests, all wearing linen ephods. But he didn’t stop there. Doeg went to Nob, the city of priests, and massacred every living thing: men, women, children, infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep. His sword did not discriminate. What zeal—but for destruction. What strength—but misused. Yet, in all this, Doeg was simply a tool fulfilling the prophetic judgment God had pronounced on Eli’s house in 1 Samuel 2:31–33.
A Sobering Lesson for Church Leaders
Let this be a solemn warning: God does not need an external enemy to bring down a ministry that He has already rejected. The very people detained before Him, who have not been discipled, who sit week after week without transformation, can become the sharpest sword in His hand for judgment.
The destruction of Eli’s lineage didn’t come by foreign invasion—it came from within the sanctuary, from a man who had access to the altar but no access to the covenant.
This is the danger of detaining people before the Lord without leading them to true repentance and spiritual rebirth. They might serve in the choir, usher at the doors, or occupy influential positions, but if they remain unconverted, they will not stand for truth in times of crisis. Worse still, they may rise to execute judgment, not righteousness.
Doeg’s loyalty wasn’t to God, but to Saul—a rejected king under the influence of an evil spirit. He was proof that a man can appear religious, be close to holy things, and yet carry out the work of Satan with passion.
Choosing a Worship Center by the Spirit
If your choice of fellowship is motivated by appearance, prestige, eloquence of the preacher, or connections with dignitaries—beware. Nob was a beautiful, sacred place filled with priests, families, and the routines of worship. But all of that could not protect them from judgment, because the presence of God had already departed. The ark was no longer there, and the priests were content with an empty religion.
It is dangerous to remain in a place where God’s presence has left, even if the songs, programs, and traditions continue. Many are feeding on stale bread, living off the memory of past revivals and ignoring the Ichabod written over their doorposts.
I pray you choose the worship center you attend not by sentiment, not by appearance, not by tradition—but by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Nob: A Warning to Today’s Churches
Nob, which means high place, was once a city of priests (center of sacred ministry). Situated north of Jerusalem—possibly on the northern slope of the Mount of Olives—it offered a clear view of the holy city -Mount Zion in Jerusalem. The tabernacle was set up there under the leadership of Ahimelech from Eli’s house. It contained sacred items: the hallowed bread, the ephod, the priestly garments—but it lacked the most important thing: the ark of the covenant, the presence of God.
The ark remained in Kiriath-jearim. Yet the priests continued their services, satisfied with the form of godliness, while denying the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:5). Their routines were impressive; their garments were holy; their titles were intact. But their hearts were far from God.
Today, many churches function the same way. They maintain spiritual appearances—songs, prayers, charity, and even fasting—but the Spirit has departed. What remains is merely the shell of religion, void of divine presence and power. Like Nob, they may look elevated and sacred, but they are vulnerable to the Doegs of this world—unconverted men, loyal to human systems, ready to destro..
Why Nob?
Nob was not a random location selected by the unfaithful priests; it was chosen with intentional symbolism and strategic deception. Located just north of Jerusalem, Nob offered a vantage point—close enough to observe, imitate, and compete with the true revival David later initiated by bringing the Ark of the Covenant—the manifest presence and government of God—into Jerusalem.
These priests settled at Nob, a high place near Zion, to position themselves as spiritual authorities, even though God’s presence had departed. Their aim wasn’t to restore God’s presence but to rival it—to imitate spiritual life without carrying true substance. This ambition echoes the declaration of Lucifer in Isaiah 14:13:
“I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.”
Just as Lucifer sought to usurp God’s throne illegitimately, the priests at Nob tried to build a counterfeit center of worship, drawing men’s attention to a false high place. But Psalm 48:2 affirms where the true glory resides:
“Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.”
Thus, we see two “sides of the north”:
- Mount Zion—chosen by God, filled with His glory, the true city of the Great King.
- Nob—close in geography, but void of God’s presence, representing religious hypocrisy, ambition, and deception.
Nob was not empty—it had programs, sacred items, priestly garments, crowds, and even a form of worship. But all these were leaves without fruit, much like the barren fig tree Jesus cursed near Bethphage (“House of Unripe Figs”) in Matthew 21:18–20. After the multitudes cried “Hosanna” to Jesus, the next day as He approached Jerusalem, He saw the fig tree afar off, expecting fruit but finding none. It had the appearance of life but was spiritually barren.
Jesus cursed it not for lack of leaves but for lack of fruit. Nob operated in this same spirit. It had all the outward forms—rituals, garments, crowds—but lacked the ark, the glory, and the presence of God. It drew seekers but gave them nothing lasting. It was impressive to the eyes but empty in the spirit.
The lesson is urgent: Being near the truth is not the same as being rooted in it.
Religious appearance that lacks God’s presence will ultimately face God’s judgment, just as the fig tree did, and just as Nob did under Doeg’s sword.
The Termination of the Unfaithful Priests
Before God could bring the ark—His glory and government—back to Jerusalem, the first part of the judgment pronounced at Shiloh on Eli’s house had to be fulfilled. Why? Because if this rejected priesthood remained in place during revival – the return of the ark of glory, they would mislead the hungry, deceive the desperate, and claim the glory of what God alone was doing. God is jealous for His glory. He will not allow ambitious ministers to ‘hijack’ His move.
Just as Jesus cursed the barren fig tree and it withered from the roots (Matthew 21:19), God will also cut off every form of religion that bears no true fruit. That judgment on the fig tree parallels the eventual destruction of the temple under Roman rule—just as Nob and its priests were destroyed under Saul and Doeg.
A Plea to Ministers
“Dear minister, do not fall into Lucifer’s trap.”
Do not let ambition, envy, or the desire to be seen cause you to rival the genuine move of God. If you see God stirring hearts in a school, workplace, market, or rural community—rejoice and join Him. Let go of your program, your platform, your title, your personal interest. Don’t try to compete with revival—support it, even if it doesn’t originate with you.
The Lord is preparing the way for His Second Coming, and He is doing so through faithful priests—not the ones in official garments only, but those with hearts seek after His own heart. These are the Samuels, the Phinehases, the Jonathans, the Zadoks, and ultimately those who walk in the steps of Jesus, the Faithful and Eternal High Priest.
May you be one of them.
Prayer
Certainly, the Lord will dry up unfruitful ministries for a season so that His true Church can harvest the land for His glory. Let us pray for discernment and courage to stand with Christ outside the camp—away from fame, empty rituals, and religion without presence.
Hebrews 13:9–15 (MSG paraphrased) reminds us:
“Don’t be lured away by the latest speculations about Christ. The grace of Christ is the only good ground for life… Let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This insider world is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the city that is to come.”
May we walk away from the comforts of religiosity and walk into the wilderness where Jesus is found, where grace is fresh, where truth is not compromised, and where the city to come shines before our eyes.
Discipleship: The Place of Refuge
When Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, witnessed the massacre of the priests and worshippers at Nob, he left everything behind except the Ephod. The tabernacle, the rituals, the sacred items—he fled from it all in search of true refuge. Abiathar turned to David, God’s anointed king, seeking safety—not in a building, but in the man chosen by God to lead His people.
David said to him in 1 Samuel 22:23:
“Abide with me; fear not: for he that seeks my life seeks your life: but with me you shall be in safeguard.”
This was not merely physical safety—it was spiritual refuge. David was a type of Christ, and Abiathar became a picture of a disciple—a man who forsook everything to follow the anointed one. Abiathar brought his ephod—a symbol of his life, skills and priestly function— ‘laid it at the feet of David’ and followed to serve alongside David. In the wilderness, during times of crisis, he helped David seek the will of God (1 Samuel 30:7). His ministry was no longer for prestige or profit but in the hidden place, where only God saw. From that wilderness, God later brought him into the palace to serve as high priest.
True discipleship with Jesus demands sacrifice—forsaking self, family, reputation, and worldly comfort. But in return, it provides: Refuge from the judgment on failed priesthoods (ministries); Restoration of calling, purpose, and intimacy with God; Fruitful ministry under the leadership of Christ; A secured place in God’s move in this generation.
Abiathar, though from Eli’s rejected lineage, escaped Ichabod through his alignment with David. He witnessed the return of God’s glory—the ark of the covenant—to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:11). He was privileged to serve alongside Zadok, the faithful priest God had promised to raise in 1 Samuel 2:35.
Through this journey of discipleship, Abiathar experienced restoration—in his ministry, in his marriage, and even in his children, who served faithfully in David’s kingdom. When Absalom rebelled against David, Abiathar remained loyal, working alongside Zadok to return the ark and providing strategic information to the king through their sons.
Admonition
“True discipleship with Jesus will help you recover all you have lost—true riches in the kingdom of God. It will help you make the right choices in marriage, and your children will also walk in discipleship with Christ.”
Abide in Him. Flee the false altars. Carry your ‘ephod’ into the wilderness with Jesus for His moulding in discipleship. And in due season, you will witness His glory return—to your marriage, family and church.
Dangers of Forsaking Discipleship
After faithfully serving David for over forty years, Abiathar made a tragic decision that marked the end of his priesthood and legacy. In David’s final days, Abiathar betrayed his long-standing discipleship by aligning with Adonijah—David’s ambitious son—and Joab in an attempt to seize the throne. It was a grievous misstep. Instead of seeking the counsel of the Lord as he had done in the past, Abiathar acted by sight and assumption, likely believing that Adonijah, as David’s eldest surviving son, had the rightful claim to kingship.
Abiathar failed to consult the word of the Lord before choosing sides. When news came that Solomon, not Adonijah, had been divinely chosen and anointed as king, Abiathar and his allies panicked. Fear gripped their hearts, and each went their separate ways. But rather than return in repentance to David—God’s anointed—Abiathar continued on the path of compromise. This decision brought his downfall and fulfilled the final part of the prophetic judgment on Eli’s house.
1 Kings 2:26–27 (KJV):
“And unto Abiathar the priest said the king, Get thee to Anathoth, unto thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death: but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou barest the ark of the LORD God before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.
So Solomon thrust out Abiathar from being priest unto the LORD; that he might fulfil the word of the LORD, which he spake concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.”
Though Solomon spared his life in honour of his past faithfulness, Abiathar was banished to Anathoth, his spiritual inheritance revoked, and he was removed from the priesthood. Thus, the word of the Lord spoken in 1 Samuel 2:36 came to full fruition.
This sobering end highlights a key truth: discipleship is not a seasonal commitment—it is a lifelong walk of abiding in Christ. The moment we forsake the place of surrender, the covering of obedience, and the fellowship of Spirit-filled believers, we step into danger. Abiathar’s story warns that even decades of faithful service can be undone when we cease to walk in the Spirit and start walking in assumption and ambition.
True discipleship involves denying ourselves, abiding in Jesus, and walking daily in His word. It is our only refuge from spiritual judgment, deception, and the generational consequences of rebellion. When Abiathar broke his fellowship with David (a picture of Jesus)—his spiritual covering and disciple-maker—he also separated himself from fellowship with Nathan the prophet, Zadok the faithful priest, and others like Bathsheba and Benaiah, who stood firm in the counsel of God. Without these spiritual companions and accountability, Abiathar drifted into error and aligned with rebellion.
Although Abiathar had once carried the ephod, sought God’s face, and participated in mighty revival, he ended his ministry in exile because he forsook discipleship and spiritual discernment.
Reflection
Beloved, the end of your walk matters just as much as the beginning. A good beginning must be preserved by continued abiding. Never outgrow the place of brokenness, obedience, and spiritual accountability. Guard your heart from assumption, and always test your actions in the light of God’s word and Spirit. May we never abandon the true David—Jesus Christ, our eternal King—for any Adonijah the flesh may present. Remain rooted in true discipleship and finish well.
THE RAISING OF THE FAITHFUL PRIEST
When Eli’s lineage attracted a curse, we saw that He will not leave his ‘sheep without a shepherd’, God’s prophecy to raise a faithful team of Priest and King still remains 1 Samuel 2:35, but you won’t identify the chosen by the office but by their willingness to do what is in the heart and mind of God.
1 Samuel 2:35
KJV – And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.
MSG – Then I’ll establish for myself a true priest. He’ll do what I want him to do, be what I want him to be. I’ll make his position secure and he’ll do his work freely in the service of my anointed one.
NLT – Then I will raise up a faithful priest who will serve me and do what I desire. I will establish his family, and they will be priests to my anointed kings forever.
Samuel, though not from the priestly line of Aaron, served as a faithful priest and prophet, initially serving under Eli and then taking on a more prominent role after Eli’s death. He is seen as an early fulfillment of this prophecy.
Zadok as a Fulfillment: The installation of Zadok as high priest by Solomon, after Abiathar was removed from office, is seen by some as a fulfillment of this prophecy. Zadok and his descendants served as high priests for a long period, and they were known for their faithfulness. He was an upright man, and faithfully discharged his office, and answered to his name, which signifies righteous. According to Ezekiel 44:15 his lineage shall do according to that which is in my heart, and in my mind: according to the secret will and pleasure of God, as revealed in his Word; do everything relating to the office of a high priest, according to the laws of God respecting it. Joshua the high priest was from this lineage and was the first high priest during the reconstruction of the second temple after the return from Babylon.
Ezekiel 44:15
But the Levitical priests, who are descendants of Zadok and who guarded my sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from me, are to come near to minister before me; they are to stand before me to offer sacrifices of fat and blood, declares the Sovereign LORD.
Zechariah 6:11-13 KJV
Take the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying: “Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, And He shall build the temple of the Lord; Yes, He shall build the temple of the Lord. He shall bear the glory, And shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne, And the counsel of peace shall be between them both (both offices – King and Priest).
We see here that God spiritual promise to Joshua from the lineage of Phinehas was tht he would walk before his anointed as prophesied in 1 Samuel 2:35
Jesus as the Ultimate Fulfillment:
The passage is also understood to point to Jesus Christ as the ultimate faithful priest. He is the perfect high priest who fulfills all the requirements of the office, and his priesthood is eternal. He is the one who truly does what is in God’s heart and mind, and his house (the church) is built on a sure foundation.
A faithful minister is one walking in discipleship relationship with Jesus – doing all that is in the heart and mind of God. His calling, ministry or portion is not secured in man but in his heavenly Father. Thus there is no need to fear man, be a ‘respecter of person’, man-pleaser, or envy another brethren’s success. Zadok never strove with Abiathar despite them sharing the office of a high priest. Under David, they continued in unity and fellowship and their children also worked together—not until Abiathar went out of fellowship and discipleship and decamped to Adonijah and Joab’s camp.
In the new covenant, believers in Christ are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). Even though we have not come into the fullness of this until Jesus comes, God is raising us up as faithful priests to do according to that which is in His heart and mind from His word. He is building us as part of His sure house (the church) and we shall walk before His anointed King, Jesus, forever here on earth and in heaven. We must begin to follow Jesus by walking in His steps to learn of His life. If we walk with Him, we shall please Him like Enoch walked with God and pleased God. Enoch was taken by God to be with Him, a picture of the ‘rapture’ because he walked with God. Anyone that seeks unbroken fellowship with God shall not miss the rapture at the second coming of Jesus. When we walk with God, we will also experience His covenant of divine peace.
Even though God’s promise or revival tarries, it will surely come to pass. Do not be deceived by the spiritual environment or language or be a ‘respecter of person’. What you should look out for is if the elders who are raised by God, walk before the Lord with a life of integrity and faithfulness, pressing on to perfection. Do not look at the manifestation of the gifts of the spirit or the spiritual office—elders/priest/pastors—because the glory could have departed.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to abide in You and follow Your ways. Guide me to forsake unfruitful relationships/fellowship and join discipleship and fellowship with you and your brethren. Amen.
Copyright 2024 – Sunday Oladiran. No changes whatsoever are to be made to the content of the article without written permission from the author.
