the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 4 of 5
Ezekiel 44:15-31
Eleazar and Ithamar, sons of Aaron, had shared the priesthood after the death of their brothers Nadab and Abihu (Numbers 3:4). Later on Ithamar’s line lost its rights because of the corruption of the sons of Eli and the treason of Abiathar (1 Samuel 3:12-13; 1 Kings 1:7-8; 1 Kings 2:27). So it was laid down that the priests were to be sons of Zadok, of the family of Eleazar (1 Chronicles 6:50-53). This mandate was not bestowed on account of personal competence, any more than it was formerly, but exclusively by right of birth (Psalms 87:5). The same thing is true today of the redeemed of the Lord. By virtue of the new birth, all have the right to the beautiful title of priest.
But, like all privileges, this one also implies responsibilities. The instructions here given to the priests are very precise, both for the fulfilment of their service and for their family life (cf. Leviticus 21:1-24). They must pay special attention to purity, and similarly it is our responsibility to keep away from defilement, we who are by grace "an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5; see also 1 Thessalonians 4:4).
