Hebrews 5:1-4

Characteristics of the Earthly High Priesthood (Hebrews 5:1-4 ).

The earthly High Priest,

1) Is taken from among men (Hebrews 5:1).

2) Is appointed for men for the offering of gifts and sacrifices (Hebrews 5:1).

3) Can bear gently with the ignorant and erring, because like them he is weak and sinful, and so has to offer sacrifices for sins first for himself and then for his people (Hebrews 5:2-3).

4) Has the honour given to him by God. (Hebrews 5:4).

So, to summarise, he is taken from among men, he is an earthly priest, both weak and sinful, he is appointed by God, on men’s behalf, and it is for the offering of gifts and sacrifices, which are for both himself and the people. As one from among them, although specially chosen, he acts for men before God in an earthly sanctuary.

But in contrast Jesus Christ is shown as having come from Heaven (Hebrews 1:3), as having humbled Himself but as not being sinful (Hebrews 2:9-18), was totally faithful (Hebrews 2:17 to Hebrews 3:6) and while being appointed by God for the offering of a once-for-all sacrifice, did not have to offer it for Himself, but did it only for the people (Hebrews 7:26-27), finalising the procedure in Heaven (Hebrews 4:14 compare Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 10:12). It is clear therefore that He is of a superior, heavenly priesthood, so that returning to submission to an earthly priesthood can only be seen as blasphemous.