“But if a person commits
a sin against Adonai,
who can intercede for him?”–
1 Samuel 2:25
Following on the heels of yesterday’s post about the earthly and physical consequences of sin…
Eli brings up an interesting question that goes to the heart of mankind’s problem with the Creator:
“If a person commits a sin against Adonai, who can intercede for him?”
See, it’s one thing for a human judge to step in and mediate between 2 men who have a dispute.
However, it’s entirely another thing to attempt to mediate between man and God.
This actually goes to the very core of why mankind needs a Savior.
Because without a Savior, we have no one to mediate between us and the Lord.
But didn’t the High Priest mediate for Israel in ancient times?
The answer is NO…
And reveals a misunderstanding of the High Priest’s function.
What the High Priest did was perform sacrifices to purify the Sanctuary so the people would be able to approach a Holy God without consequence.
So when the High Priest sprinkled blood on the Mercy Seat once per year…
Or when the other priests performed their daily sacrifices…
Understand these were PURIFICATION rites…
It was NOT about mediation.
Because the High Priest can’t argue with God on behalf of Israel.
He can’t settle issues between man and a PERFECT and SINLESS God.
For instance, consider the partnership that Moses and Aaron had.
Ever wonder about that?
Why were both Moses and Aaron necessary?
And why did both of them operate together at the same time?
It’s because each one represented the highest authority in their God-designated domains of influence.
Aaron, as the High Priest, was in charge of the purification rituals for the sanctuary…
And Moses was in charge of MEDIATION between the Lord and man.
See, here’s the situation facing every human being on the planet today.
We have all directly sinned against a Holy God…
In other words, the Lord has an indisputable legal case against each and every one of us…
We’re guilty as charged and and there’s nothing we can do about it…
Why?
Because any sin committed directly against a Holy God is so dangerous and severe that the only possible penalty that could pay for such offenses is eternal death.
See what I’m getting at here?
Ever since Adam and Eve sinned directly against their Creator in the Garden of Eden, all of mankind has been sentenced to a physical and earthly death.
Remember Adam and Eve were warned about this:
“…but you must not eat from
the tree of the knowledge
of good and evil,
for when you eat from it
you will certainly die.”
See what I’m getting at here?
The problem we human beings face is that each and every one of us has sinned against our Creator…
Which means the question Eli posed to his two sons applies to us as well:
“But if a person commits
a sin against Adonai,
who can intercede for him?”
In other words, we need a Mediator.
But Moses ain’t around anymore.
So what to do?
Who in the world would possibly have the authority to mediate between God and mankind and save us from the eternal death sentence we all face?
We’ll continue with this discussion the next time we meet because it’s an important one.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“There is no difference
between Jew and Gentile,
for all have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God“
-Romans 3:22
“What a wretched man I am!
Who will rescue me from this
body that is subject to death?“
-Romans 7:24
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