In Old Testament times, the responsibility for the preservation of God’s truth and the correct conduct of worship was entrusted to the priesthood. Even if there were no leader or king, the priesthood continued by inheritance through the tribe of Levi. Built-in priestly leadership came via the High Priest; and it is clear that the High Priest could, and sometimes did, exercise a beneficial influence on the historical course of God’s elect. This system, if carefully fostered, could work well if, and when, Israel had control of her own destiny; but was open to violent abuse when High Priestship was open to appointment by an overlord.
Under early Persian domination, when Israel was allowed to restore her Temple worship in a rebuilt Jerusalem temple, the office of High Priest, with attendant priestly companions, continued to function along its designed lines. But as the Persian empire fell into decay and regional governors gained a freedom for their grosser senses, the power of appointment of the High Priest on a political basis was imposed upon the nation. As usual, there were plenty of takers for the job in Israel on the basis of providing political favours. Soon, even baser motives became predominant and the High Priestship could be sold to the highest bidder, in view of the substantial Temple revenues that soon could be diverted to handsomely cover the initial price.
It is sickening to read of some of the grosser abuses that occurred in what were God’s most holy ordinances. One marvels at the restraint of God in not summarily terminating a hopelessly corrupt order of worship a hundred years before He did. Just two examples follow.
In 175 BC, Jason offered Antiochus IV a sum of money if he would make him High Priest. In 171 BC, Menelaus, who did not belong to the Zadok line, offered the king a larger sum if he could be made High Priest. Both these bribes were accepted. Jason was the last of the proper line to serve. Josephus records that, around AD 60, during the High Priesthood of Ishmael, the chief priests sent their servants to the threshing floors to seize the tithes due to the ordinary priests, so much so that many priests starved to death.
An instructive note in passing. For two hundred years, a long line of High Priests from wealthy, powerful and titled families had occupied the prime spiritual position in the nation. The last High Priest before the overthrow of Jerusalem was a priest of peasant stock, appointed by Jews by lot. F. F. Bruce, in New Testament History, says, “Josephus regards his appointment as a wanton sacrilege, but the truth is, Josephus’s aristocratic sensibilities were outraged by the elevation to supreme office of a priest who could claim no advantage of rank or wealth. Phanni’s priestly pedigree was impeccable . . .”. How easy it is to become used to certain outside trappings and to be beguiled by grandeur of man’s making and not to recognise the humble, meek and simple ordinances of worship that God has pleasure in.
Equivalents Today
We may be tempted to compare our simple services and serving brethren with the grand trappings of archbishops with mace and crown inside their temple-cathedrals, and their equivalents in powerful and wealthy men of Jesus’ time. There could be another likeness in the revenues generated and riches possessed by some church organisations today. Even the political power that the church may deliver into the hands of aspiring men is not inconsiderable. But the most disturbing breakdown of God’s principles of worship occurring today, that seems related to the inexcusable and goes beyond the point of no return, and thus provides a striking parallel to the irreversible corruption of the first century priesthood, is the use of women ministers in churches.
Christianity is a discipline. Why God insists that certain principles apply is not for us to queston. Has not the potter power over the clay? Sure. Has the clay the right to say to the potter, Why halt thou made me thus? No way! God has specified the differing roles and responsibilities of men and women in His assembly. God even gives reasons. We may not necessarily naturally agree or even like it, but we are called, upon to submit.
One of the clearest Bible principles is the necessity for male administrators of worship. There are examples of women judges, even national leaders, in the Bible, but NEVER ministers. Paul’s writings make it perfectly clear that the fitting representative of salvation in the man Jesus is in a suitable brother. Explicit instructions are given (e.g. 1 Cor. 14, 34-35; 1Tim. 2, 11-12) for the conduct of meetings, and women are specifically commanded not to lead services when men are present. When such a wealth of Bible instruction and background principle is clearly given, how can it be possible that churches employing women ministers can escape the censure of God?
This is plainly part of the breakdown and corruption of organised religion of our day that parallels that of the end of the previous age. After Jason’s time, when it became obvious that the proper Zadok line would no longer be allowed to provide priests, several sects were formed in remote areas, at different times, to preserve as much of the true principles of worship as possible. That is our duty today.
A final thought. There are many circumstances in which “women’s lib.” seems fully justified and looks ‘good. After a while we get used to women taxi and bus drivers, even plane pilots, lawyers and judges. Just like Josephus, many well-meaning Christians have been taken in by a series of events that now seem to them to be justifiable and universally acceptable; and have become unable to examine the process step-by-step to determine at what point God’s principles are, or are not, upheld. We need always to analyse, with the Bible in hand as the criteria to be applied, and to be prepared to uphold God’s sacred principles when we seem them exposed.
The Borders of the Land of Israel