Our Perfectly Separated High Priest
Reading: Leviticus 21–22
Key Text: Hebrews 7:26–28 (KJV)
Leviticus 21–22 draws a clear line around the priesthood. The priests were set apart in their conduct, their marriages, their associations, and their service. The high priest faced even stricter rules. His life carried tighter boundaries, greater accountability, and closer contact with the holy things of God.
This separation was never about making the priests “better” than the people. It was about access. The nearer someone came to God’s presence, the greater the demand for holiness.
These chapters spell out many limitations:
- Who the priest could marry
- What kinds of defilement he must avoid
- What physical blemishes disqualified him from serving at the altar
God was teaching Israel a vital truth: His holiness is not casual. His service is not ordinary. The priesthood required separation because it dealt directly with a holy God.
That picture finds its true and final fulfillment—not in Aaron, but in Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 7:26–28 (KJV)
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
Where the Levitical high priests had to constantly guard against defilement—and offer sacrifices first for their own sins—Jesus is by nature undefiled and sinless. Where they offered sacrifices day after day, year after year, He offered Himself once for all.
The law appointed men “having infirmity” (weakness, sinfulness) as high priests. But God’s oath appoints the Son, who has been made perfect and consecrated forever.
Their separation was enforced by the law. His separation is built into who He is—holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, yet He came to stand in the place of sinners.
Leviticus shows what God required of imperfect men who drew near to holy things. Hebrews shows the perfect High Priest who meets every requirement without a single flaw—and remains High Priest forever.
The law demanded separation. Grace gives us a Savior who is already perfectly separated—and completely sufficient.
Stay in the book.
Here are the direct individual chapter audio links (Alexander Scourby reading the Authorized Version) from earnestlycontendingforthefaith.com for today’s reading (Leviticus 21–22), formatted correctly:
Leviticus Chapter 21:
http://earnestlycontendingforthefaith.com/King%20James%20Bible%20Audio/Leviticus%2021.mp3
Leviticus Chapter 22:
http://earnestlycontendingforthefaith.com/King%20James%20Bible%20Audio/Leviticus%2022.mp3
(Right-click and “Save link as” if you want to download.) These play straight in the browser or any audio player—pure word, no commentary.
📖 Stay in the book.
Here are the direct individual chapter audio links (Alexander Scourby reading the Authorized Version) from earnestlycontendingforthefaith.com for tomorrow’s reading (Leviticus 23–24), formatted correctly:
Leviticus Chapter 23:
http://earnestlycontendingforthefaith.com/King%20James%20Bible%20Audio/Leviticus%2023.mp3
Leviticus Chapter 24:
http://earnestlycontendingforthefaith.com/King%20James%20Bible%20Audio/Leviticus%2024.mp3
(Right-click and “Save link as” if you want to download.) These play straight in the browser or any audio player—pure word, no commentary.
📖 Stay in the book.