THE GARMENTS OF THE PRIESTHOOD

INTRODUCTION

One of the most intriguing studies in the Old Testament are those which are enshrouded with innumerable types and shadows. We find tremendous insights concerning the scriptures in the New Testament through revelation concerning what God set forth as a pattern in the past. Great truths have been hidden within these beautiful typologies that spoke of the Messiah, the Son of God who was to come. Yet, these hidden things were not to remain a mystery forever, rather they were to be revealed to a generation of people who would be called by His name. 

To behold Jesus and the work that was wrought through His life, death, burial and resurrection through the Old Testament patterns is indeed a beautiful wonder that grips the heart of those who seek His face. Truths which have been hidden from the heart through the law are now being revealed in our hearts through grace no longer to remain a mystery. To multitudes, the Tabernacle of the Congregation in the Wilderness was just a tent; the garments of the High Priest were nothing more than mere fabric; the offerings nothing more than sacrifices; and the feasts were nothing more than times of remembrance and celebration for a people of former times.

After the children of Israel were delivered out of the land of Egypt, God revealed to Moses that he desired to tabernacle himself in the midst of His people.  He gave him instruction in regards to building the Tabernacle of the Congregation in the Wilderness, to the feats and the offerings, and the making of the garments of the priesthood. He told Moses to make everything according to the pattern. According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make I". Exodus 25:9

"And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount". Exodus 25:40

"And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office" Exodus 28:2-3

These  garments were not just run-of-the-mill clothing. They were garments of extraordinary beauty which were to testify of who Jesus is, the magnificent work which He would wrought in a people, and the ongoing revelation of that work in manifested form in the lives of man. These garments which were a shadow of things which were to come, found their fulfillment in Christ and now have an ongoing manifestation in the lives of His people. Today, our Father is raising up a people clothed with the nature and character of Christ to be made "kings and priests unto God, the Father". A people who would no longer strive to be righteous and holy, but would understand that Jesus has imputed His righteousness and made His people to be partakers of His holiness. A people who would not any longer be 'trying' to be in the Spirit, rather ones who would realize that they 'ARE' in the Spirit and that He has caused each one to be one Spirit with Him. Yes, man was no longer to be frustrated by one's own works and efforts, but would awaken truth and abide in the grace of HIS FINISHED WORK!  A people who would  realize that He sees the end from the beginning and that the manifestation of that finished work which He has wrought concerning our lives is openly manifested by grace through faith 

CHAPTER ONE

THE  PRIESTLY  PROGRESSION

Our journey begins with the book of Genesis where we find that each person served as their own priest.  All were to bring their own offerings and sacrifices before the Lord.  In the book of Exodus while the children of Israel were in Egypt, the head of each family served as priest for his entire household.  But God's ultimate desire went far beyond this point as he said to Moses: "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.  And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai."  Exodus 19:5-11

From the beginning, God's ultimate desire was to have a kingdom of priests and to have personal communication and relationship with each and every one. Even after the fall of Adam, God's personal desire and ultimate purpose never changed. Through the fall however, man in his own heart felt condemned and alienated from God so that he fled and hid from God's presence, and we still see that happening today. If we look a It the scripture closely we find that the LORD God was calling to Adam for fellowship. "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.  And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat"?  Genesis 3:7-11

We all know that God is the omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent God and that He knew exactly where Adam was when He called out to Him in the garden. The knowledge of Adam's nakedness was not given to him by God but rather it was the carnality to which he had fallen that made him aware of his new state of being. Father didn't come with accusation nor condemnation, but rather in His love. He simply asked "where art thou?" It was only when Adam confessed of his nakedness that God demanded "WHO TOLD THEE THAT THOU WAST NAKED"!

Again, in Exodus 20:18-19, "And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die". God came down to speak with His people we find the same principle of falleness till active in the lives of man. NAKEDNESS! Thus they became frightened for they knew God was holy and so withdrew from the Lord and pleaded with Moses to speak with God FOR them. And so God began to instruct Moses anew and gave to him the pattern for the Tabernacle, the feasts and offerings, and direction concerning the priesthood. His ultimate will was to tabernacle Himself in the midst of His people. 

Aaron and his descendants were to be the priests and all of the Levites outside the family  of Aaron were to be servants to the holy things of God. And even then, although God had set in order a priesthood, He still did not have his deepest desire to communicate and have relationship with man.

Numbers 1:49-53 "Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.  And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man his own standard, throughout their hosts.  But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony."

We can see clearly the pattern that was being established and how it relates to us even still today. Aaron is the typology of Jesus Christ, his five sons were types of the five-fold ministry, and the Levites are a picture of our deacons and elders that we have in the church today. (Note: all priests had to be Levites, but not all Levites were priests) Now through Moses the order of priesthood was set but there would come one who would be a priest for himself, his family, all nations, and the church (all peoples). This man not only would be a priest, but would issue forth a kingdom of priests through reconciliation and his name is JESUS! Today He is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for all the saints and we are seated in heavenly places in Him (Ephesians 2:6)!

QUALIFICATIONS

Priests: These were to be Levites of the family of Aaron and their claim to office would be that of sonship and their duties were to minister the holy things of God and worship Him.

High Priest: There could only be one high priest at a time and from Aaron to Christ there were 80 that served. Aaron was the first High Priest and he was succeeded by his sons and their descendant sons. 

Great High Priest: The Office of Great High Priest was one that would come much later and be established and filled by Jesus Christ. This priesthood was after the order of Melchizedek and would not be inherited by birth nor would it ever be passed on.

MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD

Melchizedek is first seen in Genesis 14:18-20 as He was the first King of Salem (Jerusalem) and the High Priest of El Elyon, the Most High God (Hebrews 7:13). The name Melchizedek means:  King of righteousness, justice, righteous rule, and righteous judgment. The nature of this priesthood was manifested 2000 years before it was established in Christ and 400 years before the Aaronic order was established. The significance of the appearance of Melchizedek was not realized until it was later uttered by David in Psalm 110:4. Even though this priest was in the earth in the beginning, there was a separation of time before the ministry of this priest would be manifested once again and be established in the earth by Jesus, the Son of God.

The Aaronic Priesthood was ordained and established by God for a season for a ministry which was of the law and was ever changing being continuously disrupted by death making it imperfect before God the Father. It was because of this that it lacked the ability to serve the kingdom of God in a perfect way.  It is through the shortcomings and inadequacy of this ministry of law that the throne room ministry of grace is clearly contrasted and found to be a mercy poured forth without measure through the order of Melchizedek. This Melchizedek Priesthood WAS and IS still ordained today. It WAS and IS a never changing, never ending priesthood being perpetual in its nature without ending or beginning. Jesus said in Revelation 1:8 "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." The ministry of Jesus is everliving, all effacious, ever present, and is an intercessory ministry for His own (John 17:1-22 and Hebrews 7:24-25). It always was, and is, and is to come!

The perfect priesthood desired by the Father could only come in the fullness of times according to John 17:1 and Galatians 4:4. The book of Hebrews graphically illustrates the shortcomings and failure of the Aaronic priesthood and establishes a picture of something of a much higher order. A priesthood which would fulfill all requirements and establish a ministry that would be complete and perfect within itself never passing away. This new priesthood was one which would be established by Jesus Christ of whom it would be proclaimed to be forever after the order of Melchizedek. "And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life, For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec". Hebrews 7:15-17

The functions of the office of priest, Aaron's priestly garments, and all of the rituals were instructive concerning the person and the work of Jesus Christ. Although Jesus is our  Great High Priest, He executes His priestly ministry after the PATTERN of Aaron.  In Hebrews 7 – the ORDER of the priesthood is expounded, and in Hebrews 9 – the PATTERN of the priesthood is expounded.

This priesthood was a ministry of:

(a) Prophet, Priest, & King

(b) Unlimited, Eternal, Unchangeable

(c) One Who Is the Source of an Endless Life

(d) Universal (All men without prejudice)

(e) Springs from Judah (brings praise)

(f) Brings perfection

(g) Puts away the curse of sin, sickness, poverty, and death.

The priests didn't have an earthly inheritance for Jehovah was their possession and their needs were bountifully supplied through their brethren. (Note Judges 17 and 18) who demanded his salary and apparel, etc., until a 'larger church' opened to him). We are all High Priests with Jesus being our Great High Priest. Although we no longer offer sacrifices according to the law, we do offer Christ to those before us. We are a royal priesthood and a holy nation which has been set apart unto Him. As priests unto Him, we no longer have to gaze from the outer courts, but we now have access through a new and living way which is Jesus Christ. We can now enter the presence of our God and stand before the heavenly throne. Hebrews 4:16 (the mercy seat).

CHAPTER TWO

DISQUALIFICATIONS FOR PRIESTS

(Leviticus 21:17-24 - Numbers 3:10 – Numbers 8)

Under the law there were certain characteristics which would disqualify one from serving as a priest. As we take a look at them, we begin to see their spiritual significance concerning the priesthood (body of believers) of today. If we are the children of God, then according to Peter and John, we are a kingdom of priests. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:" 1 Peter 2:9

"And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." Revelation 1:6

The disqualifications were as follows:

• STRANGER – One could never be a priest if they were from outside the camp. One had to be born into the tribe of Levi in order to qualify. The same is true even today concerning the non-believer and the believer. Surrounding the Tabernacle was a white linen fence which represented the righteousness and holiness of God through which one would have to come in order to be of service as a priest. In order for one to enter, they had to enter in through the gate, which is for us Jesus Christ. Today we know that God's holy habitation is a spiritual one through which one can only enter through Jesus Christ who Himself said "I am the door. No man cometh unto the Father but by me" John 14:6. So this type and shadow compels us to understand that one cannot be a priest of that which he cannot see (John 3:16). Jesus declared that unless one be born again, he could not see the kingdom of God (John 3:16).It is true that God knows all men, however, those who enter into the service of the kingdom are those He recognizes as His sons.
• NOT A LEVITE – In the Old Testament, God specifically decreed that one had   to be called and set apart for the work of the ministry and be of the tribe of Levi. All Levites were not priests, however, it was out of this tribe that one was called and purified for the ministry of the holy things of God. Only Aaron and his descendants qualified for the ministry and service of God and it was they that were set apart. Unlike the other tribes of Israel, the Levites did not own anything and did not have any natural inheritance. GOD WAS THEIR INHERITANCE.  He was their portion. The Israelites represented those who were outside the house of God, the Levites represented those who were of the household of faith (born again) and those who had entered through the gate, and the Aaronic household represented those of the High Priest order and the divine government of God. As kings we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, sitting at the right hand of God upon the throne. It is in Him that we rule with Him, but as priests we are ministering to our Father from around the throne. These are the priests who bring man to God and God to man. The High Priest bore a golden crown about their Linen Bonnet showing that they were partakers of His divine nature. It represented an incorruptible crown that would remain always. The impartation of His divine nature and character begins a process within us to bring us to maturity as the sons of God, to bring forth in us the expression of Himself, and to bring us into the fullness of the stature of Christ. Not in preeminence, but as the first fruits of the Firstborn of many brethren. These are a people of purpose who worship Him in Spirit and in truth. 
• BLEMISHES – A lack of repentance in the heart of a priest is unacceptable and reveals weakness in one's character.  Blemishes also speak of mixture.  When we receive Christ, his nature and life comes and makes its abode within us.  We become the inheritors and partakers of His Divine Nature.  But character is not inherited, it has to be developed. Their lives must be yielded to the molding and making of the Holy Spirit which many times would involve self-denial.  Paul wrote to the Church at Galatia and said that he travailed in prayer once again until Christ be formed in them!  They were already Christians, but they were carried away with traditions and yokes of bondage.  Their traditions made the word of no effect in their lives.  One could not be given over to the carnalities of the mind.  The ways of man, nor the ways of the world cannot be intermingled with the ways of God.  The Word (seed) of God is to be pure.  Godly character is emanates with the fruit of the Spirit in one's life.  It is  not tainted with the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, or the pride of life.
• BLIND – God declared that without a vision, the people perish.  To be spiritually blind means that one cannot see (perceive) what is in the heart of God.  Paul wrote to the Ephesians that his prayer was that the eyes of their understanding would be enlightened.  Spiritual vision is only given to the children of God and comes by the Holy Spirit.  Man cannot see what God is doing and what He desires without that release from the Holy Spirit.  Not led by the Spirit of God, to be grossly ignorant or have a lack spiritual vision, for without a vision the people perish.  No healing, deliverance, etc. Spiritual blindness will lead man into doctrine, vain imaginations, men's traditions, ignorance, and religious dogma.  A priest that is blind, can only lead others into a ditch and spiritual bondage and darkness, for freedom comes only through truth which is the light of God.  One who is a child of God but is in bondage to the laws of man has never had the scales from his eyes removed.  That is what happened with Paul.  He was of the house of God but bound in the traditions of his fathers.  He said that He was the chief of the Pharisee's and truly he was a religious zealot, but all that He could minister was death. There came a day in Paul's life when he fell into the depths of his spiritual darkness, and it too Christ to remove the scales from off His eyes.  We are being changed from glory to glory, and as we behold Him, we begin to become that which we see.  Jesus is the light of the world and simply coming into contact with that light is the beginning of a journey of 'knowing' and Understanding Him.  But we must remember that this is a progressive work, that we do not come to maturity or full understanding all at once.  Continually He is revealing and imparting to us as we walk with Him.  If we hunger for truth and understanding, He will absolutely bring us to that place.  But we must desire Him and ALL THAT HE HAS, with all our hearts.   We are the children of the Father of lights, but let us always remember that it is He that lights the way.  It is He that gives us the eyes with which to see.
• LAME – When a person is lame, their walk is uneven, unbalanced.  There are many that do have the eyes to see and have great understanding concerning the scriptures, but they are unable to walk in what they see and know.  Those that are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.  Jesus, our Lord and Savior had to walk out what He knew and it took the leading of the Holy Spirit in order to do it.  It was not enough to know, He had to walk it out.  Surely, there was none like Jesus before.  No man knew the scriptures as He did.  Yet, this man who is the author and finisher of our faith had to be led by the Holy Spirit.  He declared, I only do those things which I see My Father say.  His walk was straight and wholesome, it was a walk of power and strength.  He walked the Highway of Holiness and He leads all to the Father.  A priest of God who is not lame, will lead man to Jesus.  They will walk the walk and not just talk the talk.  James said that if we say that we love Him, then we are to walk as He walked. 
• FLAT NOSE – One's nose plays a significant role in revealing what is going on around a person.  Certain odors will tell us if we are in danger or not, others will tell us that something is good to eat, and others will tell us if things are sanitary or not.  Spiritually speaking, a flat nose is a sign of the lack of sensitivity or discernment.  When there is a lack of discernment concerning what is truth and non-truth, one can easily be deceived.  There are too many in the kingdom of God that unable to discern between that which comes out of the realm of the spirit and that which proceeds out of the soul.  A true priest of the Lord knows what is flesh and what is spirit.  We must be able to discern the motives and spiritual stands of those around us.  Most of all, this discernment is first to be used concerning ourselves.  We must know what the motives of our hearts are.  We must want a clean heart, purged with the grace and love of His heart!  As we are able to discern ourselves, so we become able to discern those things which seek to come to deceive and rape the children of God.  We cannot go to the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil for discernment.  It is only the Tree of Life of which we have been made partakers which can keep us from being deceived.

SUPERFLUOUS – In the Hebrew this word means to be deformed by excess of members:—stretch out self, (have any) superfluous thing.  So we see that it is an outward manifestation of something which doesn't belong there and also that it is something that is not needed.  A gourder is an outward growth on one's body and it is ugly and oftentimes hideous in it's appearance and certainly doesn't have any purpose.  Continuously man has added to the Word of God through their doctrines, traditions, creeds, theology, thoughts, likes and dislikes, opinions, etc.  So many today know about god and try to minister through that experience, but unless you KNOW them through relationship, you can never convey to another the life of that person.  So it is with the LORD.  Israel knew the ACTS of god, but Moses knew His WAYS!  It wasn't enough for the Apostle Paul to know about God, but his heart cried "O THAT I MIGHT KNOW HIM IN THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION"!!!  Paul didn't just want Him, he wanted His LIFE!  Through his pursuit of Him, Paul was able to give us the TRUTH AND LIFE of Jesus; not frivolous doctrines that were void of substance and full of empty promises.  Invariably when the Holy Spirit is moving, there will usually be someone who will try to add to the situation through their own actions and words.  When flesh gets involved it is just like a big ugly gourder!  Many take their experiences in the Lord and form them into doctrines, not understanding that our beliefs are not to be based on His acts, but rather they are to be based on HIM!!!  Do we understand that the ministry of god is LIGHT and LIFE and is all-sufficient in itself.  He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  In Him consists all things and all things are complete in Him.  Many would add even to what was wrought through the work of the Cross!  Jesus declared "IT IS FINISHED"!!  Everything has been dealt with in His sacrifice and in the Spirit and the expression of it is now being released in manifestation.  A priest MUST be in one mind and one accord with the Spirit of God ministering out of the oneness.

• BROKEN FEET – In order to have a broken foot, one must either walk in the wrong place or step the wrong way.  He then becomes unable to run a race, scale mountains or walk normally in a consistent pattern.  With this type of injury, one has to walk in a different way in order to get where He is going.  He also has difficulty walking on rough roads or going up and down steps.  He becomes unable to keep up with others and because his heart is full of jealousy and resentment, he will try to do things in order to slow down the progress of others.  There is a race to be run in the kingdom of God and there are mountains to be scaled, but when one has a broken foot the challenge is just too great.  There are many ways that this spiritual foot becomes broken.  Anytime we deviate from the truth (path) or try to compromise it anyway our walk will be broken.  When this occurs one becomes unfaithful, lacks dependability, and is unstable in all his ways.  When mountains present themselves, he is unable to climb.  He can sometimes view the finish line, but can't traverse the track that is before him.  Tired and hurt, he will set down and try to get others to set down with him.  The book of James tells us that if we say that we love Him, then we ought to walk exactly as He walked!  His walk was straight, and each step that He took was with purpose and direction.  He walked as a servant and was faithful in all that He did.
• BROKEN HANDS – In the natural, when a hand is broken, it is unable to protect, feed, groom, or minister to the body; and it is unable to work.  The first hand that we need to consider is the Hand of the Lord in the earth, the five-fold ministry.  As long as there is disunity, separation, brokenness, this ministry which God has set in the earth will not be able to minister to the body of Christ the fullness of all that it has need of.  The protection and the cleansing will be lacking.  It will be unable to serve without pain and with ease.  Continuously they will continue to make compromises trying to function in some form to bring about the overall purpose of God.  On an individual level, many in the body of Christ have been broken and because of this, they are unable to be the servants that God has called them to be.  Their ability to perform their duties in the body of Christ or to their fellow man is hindered because of that brokenness.  They are unable to feed, protect, or minister in any form.  As a servant, one needs to be able to feed in order to perpetuate growth.  When one's hand is broken it no longer wants to serve, but rather it wants to be served.  Many in the church world today because of their 'calling', now have an attitude that their position is that to be served, rather than a place of service.  This attitude quite clearly speaks of a hand that is broken.  Not only ministers do this, but anyone who seeks to be served rather than wanting to serve, their hand is broken.  The Lord's ministry was not only a speaking ministry, it was a touching ministry, a releasing ministry.  Touch is one of the primary vehicles that God uses to release and impart His life into that of another.  Jesus would touch them and they would be healed, they would be set free.  The Life that was within Him would flow both to and into they that he touched and change their lives forever.  When our hands and our hearts are joined together to serve, the LIFE of God will be released in our midst.  There is truly a river of life that is within us, but hands must be whole to release it.  The Lord Jesus humbled Himself, took the form of a servant (Phil. 2:7), washed feet and laid His life down a ransom for many (Mark 10:42-45).
• CROOKED BACK – The spinal cord is that portion of the human anatomy that causes the body to stand up straight and tall.  To stand at it's fullest height and potential.  It also connects the head to the body and carries signals back and forth between the body and the head.  This area of the body bespeaks to us concerning stability, strength, and uprightness.  This type of blemish means that one is unable to carry a load or handle any kind of pressure.  In the book of Luke 10:13-17 we see a woman who was bowed over and couldn't stand up straight.  All that she could see was the dust of the ground for she was unable to raise herself to view the heavens or lift her hands to the heavens in praise.  All she could do was look down and see her circumstances rather than looking up and seeing the answer.  In Matt. 11:28-30, we find that some have taken on too many burdens or that their burdens are weighty.  A crooked back is also a good sign that one is filled with self-righteousness and pride.  They are not quite willing to hand those things over to the Lord and take on the yoke that is easy and the burden that is light.  Many have the inability to discern the amount of weight or burdens that one is to carry, thereby not allowing themselves to be dependent upon the Holy Spirit to carry the load.  Many times one becomes burdened down with false responsibility thereby causing our walk to be unstable and lacking in strength.  And finally, if we are not receiving instruction from our Head (Jesus) our responses will not be in line with the life flow of god.  The burdens will become too heavy because we won't know what to do with them.   
• DWARF – In real life, when a person does not grow to one's fullest potential, it is because of a lack of distribution of a needed substance to facilitate that growth.  There is nothing lacking concerning their minds, but their body lacks fullness of stature.  In the body of Christ today, the difference between a priest of the Lord and a child of God is development and maturity into the deeper things of God.  All priests are the children of God, but not all children of God are priest.  We need to be fed the things that are good for us and will facilitate our growth in the proper way concerning the things of the Spirit.  There are always going to be some things that we do not want to eat, however, those things may be the very things that we need.  Many people do not like milk, but the calcium will cause their bones to develop properly.  Others don't like spinach, yet the green foods give us the antioxidants that we need to thwart the onslaught of certain diseases.  The Word of god tells us in Timothy to study to show ourselves approved, a workman that needs not to be ashamed rightly dividing the words of truth.  Doctrines, traditions, social clubs, projects, etc., will not feed us nor will they bring us to maturity.  A priest of the Lord must be fully equipped for every good work and be a joint of supply to the body, bringing all that it needs to be healthy.
• BLEMISH IN EYE – This is representative of one's ability to see properly and also speaks of one who is a faultfinder.  This one has the ability to see, but it is in a limited form.  They are not able to see the entire picture that is before them, therefore their judgment is clouded and distorted and their understanding is lacking concerning both situations before them and the deep things of God.  Jesus told us to remove the plank from our own eye before we try to remove a mote out of another's.  The reason being, that if we have not the eyes to see properly, we are going to THINK we see a mote in our brothers eye when really there may not be one.  But the greatest concern here is that a priest must be able to see clearly into the things of God without any distortion of vision.  Paul's prayer in the book of Ephesians was that god would give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of HIM.  That the yes of their understanding would be enlightened that they would know:

1. what was the hope of HIS calling

2. what are the riches of the glory of HIS inheritance in the saints

3. the exceeding greatness of HIS power toward us who believe

4. according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated HIM at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

We cannot understand God and His infinite truths with our natural mind or our natural understanding.  In Isaiah 55 we read that as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts.  And in 1Corinthians the 2^nd Chapter the Father tells us:  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him?  But we have the mind of Christ.  To have partial vision is to be lacking in understanding and knowledge.  We are to know the TRUTH for it is the TRUTH that sets us free.  With understanding, we can go on to PERFECTION and understand the full council of HIS Word know what His will is for our lives and HIS purpose and plan for all creation.  Let us open our hearts and set our minds to understand and SEE fully with understanding.

• SCABBED – Scabs are crusty and hard and speak of a people that have received injury but are still lacking in healing.  They haven't been able to let go of their hurts and lofty desires of retribution.  Many of these possess authority in the church today and do the works of the ministry, but they are unable to live out of His life flow which brings healing and removes the scabs.  They walk in bitterness, unforgiveness, jealousy, envy and other destructive emotions.  These destructive forces quench our ability to release the life of God and walk according to His precepts, therefore, one will conjure up his own ways of making the ministry work!!  They lack righteous character and integrity.  To lack proper covering, to have unhealed wounds which have developed bitterness and unforgiveness.  They have not tapped into that new heart that has been place within them and allowed the life of God to release their newness of life.  Underneath all that exterior, there is a hidden power to heal.  In our hearts, it is the Christ in us the hope of glory.  Instead of seeking HIM and all that He has to give, many seek their own solutions to their problems and consequently healing does not come.  There is a process of ongoing sanctification going on in us and within that flow and growth is our healing and restoration.  Because of a lack of understanding; guilt, condemnation, bitterness and other things come to keep the wound from healing.
• SCURVY – in the natural this is a disease which comes about through a lack of nutrition because ones diet does not have the proper food group included.  Mainly that food groups are fruits and vegetables.  An improper diet (erroneous teachings, doctrines, traditions, etc.) will cause scurvy in our spiritual life.  It is debilitating, disabling, and is a life of misery.  There are many today, even those in the ministry who are miserable.  It is because they are on the wrong diet spiritually!  And many, although miserable, JUST WANT TO STAY WHERE THEY ARE!!!  This should speak clearly to the body of Christ.  They have many spiritual problems because of a lack of present Truth!  Many are wanting the gifts of the Spirit, but few have their focus on the release of the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.  This is because of a lack of LOVE in their lives.  God IS love and the firstfruit of the Spirit is love.  The other fruits cannot be released in our lives if the love is not there.  You cannot have peace without love.  You cannot have joy without love.  You cannot be longsuffering without love and the list goes on.  Paul told the Corinthians that even if they had all the gifts and did mighty works, if they had not charity (love) they were nothing more than a SOUNDING brass and a TINKLING symbol.  All they would do is make a lot of noise.  God's love has been shed abroad in the hearts of the children of god, but one must feed upon HIM in order for it to grow and have its manifest presence in our lives.  A priest without love cannot minister concerning God's divine nature nor His message of mercy.
• BROKEN STONES - (Male reproductive organs) In the Spirit, this person can function in the office of a priest, but he cannot reproduce the life of God within that ministry for a lack of anointing.  One may be able to produce numbers, but the true life of God is not there and it is not lasting.  Paul said that he didn't come with enticing words as man would come, but that he came in the power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost.  A priest that is able to reproduce life, will impregnate the heart of an individual with a seed of life which will reproduce after its own kind.  This is the highest principle in the kingdom of god.  Father god is not just interested in birthing the children of God!  He wants to produce fully grown mature sons of God.  A priest of the Lord must not only be able to impart the life of god, but he must be able to feed that life and help facilitate its growth.  The spirit of the man will only respond to TRUTH and thereby grow.  And the soul of the man can only be changed by the TRUTH.  Jesus said I am the vine and you are the branches.  As the branches the life of Jesus that flow through us produces fruit and the husbandman is awaiting His harvest.  The branch must be in the vine to receive the sap that flows in order to produce fruit.  It is only through being ONE with HIM that we are able to reproduce HIS life!  The fig tree  looked really good on the outside as the Lord walked up to it to receive of its fruit (life).  But it was barren and without fruit and unable to produce substance for the life of another.