The character and office of the Aaronic high priest foreshadows the higher glory of Jesus Christ.
As there had been given some counsels to pray for Divine help because our Lord is the Divine High Priest, the thought advances to show the true idea of a high priest under the Mosaic Law, that over against him may appear in his glory the character of him who was one after the order of Melchizedek. The ancient priest was taken from among men to minister in spiritual things, as others are appointed to manage temporal matters; and therefore Paul declares that the ruler is a minister of God to us for good. It was the office of the priest to present sacrifices for sins of ignorance, and those faults which arise from the weakness and inclinations of our nature. They were not offered for such daring and flagrant transgressions as were committed by David and Manasseh, who by faith and penitence sought and obtained pardon outside the ritual of the Jewish Law, and from the free and sovereign mercy of God. The sacrifices for ordinary faults were presented especially on the Day of Atonement, when the people bowed in penitence, and the errors of the past year were forgiven. The high priest himself needed the advantage of the atonement which was vouchsafed through the sacrifices which he offered for himself. To perform his office with success he must be, since he was beset with infirmity, tender-hearted without being indulgent to evil, and firm without being severe and unfeeling. He had to deal with men's souls in states of anxiety, and, knowing his own frailties, must be merciful towards others. Eli charged Hannah with intemperance when she was praying with fervor for a gift which God only could bestow, and thoughtlessly added affliction to affliction; but on her appeal he relented, and said," Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant thee the petition thou hast asked of him" (1 Samuel 1:14-17). The appointment of the priest is a proof of the merciful interest of Jehovah in the spiritual condition of men, and his willingness to invite them to enter into blessed relations with himself.—B.