Yesterday I mentioned that Eli should have never become the High Priest.
Why?
Because he was a descendant of Ithamar who was Aaron’s youngest son.
Only descendants of Eleazar (Aaron’s oldest son) held the legitimate right to the High Priesthood in Israel.
So even though it was an illegitimate High Priest who came into power in the form of Eli…
He didn’t completely dispose of Eleazar’s family line (the legitimate priestly line)…
We know from history that Eleazar’s family line continued on.
Because during David’s time, a man named Zadok became the High Priest…
And he was a descendant of Eleazar (the proper blood line)…
But here’s the thing and this is gonna sound funny as all hell…
During David’s time, Zadok served as a co-high Priest alongside a fellow named Abiathar who was a descendant of Eli!
That’s right!
During David’s time, there were two High Priests in power at the same time!
One from the God-ordained line of Eleazar…
And the other from the illegitimate line of Eli who descended from Ithamar.
Actually, after Abiathar, Zadok also served as a co-high Priest alongside a dude named Ahimelech.
And he was also a descendant of Eli!
Can you see the political infighting that took place between the legitimate line of Eleazar and the illegitimate line of Eli who descended from Ithamar?
It was like Obi Wan Kenobi dueling against Darth Vader for control of the galaxy.
Eventually Abiathar was kicked out of the Priesthood allowing the legit Zadok to be High Priest for a time…
But then Solomon to his discredit would reinstate Abiathar…allowing the illegitimate line of Eli to take power once again.
I’m getting an interesting takeaway from all of these hardball politics that took place about 3000 years ago in ancient Israel.
The lesson is this:
Don’t let your ego and ugly pride drive you to try take positions of power out of desperation.
Because even if you do succeed in gaining power through your fleshly efforts…
You won’t be happy in your position anyway.
Because your power was gained by way of the flesh...
It’s so much better to let God put you in a position of power if that’s His Will for you…
And if it’s not His Will for you, be at peace in the matter…
Because the Lord knows best what is best for you.
Don’t forget what the Lord told the prophet Jeremiah:
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’
‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you a hope and a future. ‘”
— Jeremiah 29:11.
Remember, at the end of the day, the mad lust to gain power over others comes from Satan!
Over and out.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Anyone who wants to be first
must be the very last,
and the servant of all.”
-Mark 9:35
Great information in this post I’ve never heard before.
Thank you for your teaching. I was praying for you last week.
Thanks Eric…
And thanks for your prayers…
I’m curious though…
For what specific aspect of my life were you praying about?
I’ll email you