Eternal Covenant

[Shimon]

“See, I am making with him a covenant of shalom! It will be for him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood—because he was zealous for his G’d and atoned for Bnei-Yisrael.”

• Numbers 25:11-12, Tree of Life Version

As background to the narrative, the people began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moab (Numbers 25:1, JPS). The daughters of Moab had been sent by Balak, upon the recommendation of Balaam, to seduce the men of Israel. They fell prey to licentiousness and idolatry; hence; The anger of the L’RD was kindled against Israel (Numbers 25:3, JPS). His judgment was in the form of a plague that took the lives of 24,000 Israelites.

When Zimri and Cozbi became an affront to all of the nation, only Pinchas stood up, to remedy the situation. His act of zealousness for his G’d, was rewarded with an eternal covenant of peace. Moreover, the Torah indicates that Pinchas made atonement for the children of Israel; the Talmud records that his atonement is everlasting.

Pinchas may be seen as a type of the Messiah; in other words, certain characteristics foreshadow or point towards the role of Messiah. For example, his act was one of mesiras nefesh, self-sacrifice, literally, to give up your soul. Pinchas risked his life for the sake of the kedushah (holiness) of Israel, despite the dissent of the people, and the potential threat of Zimri’s relatives to avenge him; he put his life on the line.

 

“The Holy One, blessed be He said to Moses, ‘Be the first to extend a greeting of peace to him,’ as it is written, wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace; and this atonement [that Phinehas has made] is worthy of being an everlasting atonement.”

– Sanhedrin 82b

Pinchas is given an everlasting priesthood, which means in the literal sense, one that continues throughout his generations. And, indeed, it is recorded elsewhere that the Kohein Gadol was from his lineage throughout the first and second Temple periods.

Yet, from a hyper-literal reading, it sounds as if Pinchas himself is given a priesthood that lasts for eternity. This understanding points toward the priesthood given to Moshiach (Messiah) : “The L’RD hath sworn, and will not repent: ‘Thou art a priest for ever after the manner of Melchizedek’” (Psalm 110:4, JPS). As is further written, about Moshiach (Messiah):

“Because he lives forever, his position as cohen does not pass on to someone else; and consequently, he is totally able to deliver those who approach G’d through him; since he is alive forever and thus forever able to intercede on their behalf” (Hebrews 7:24-25, Complete Jewish Bible). “Therefore, let us confidently approach the throne from which G’d gives grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.”

• Hebrews 4:16, Complete Jewish Bible

Edited July 1, 2021 by Shimon
clarity

[Riverwalker]

6 minutes ago, Josheb said:

Is there a specific point of comment or inquiry intended for discussion? 

 

If not then may I suggest the matter of the Levitical priesthood and occurred solely as a consequence of Moses' lack of faith and trust in God and God acquiescing to Moses settling for "second best". What God intended, what God asked of Moses, what has always been God's standard was a unified civil and religious rule, the priest-king, or priestly king. This is evident in Melchizedek, the Judges, Christ, and the royal priesthood of 1 Pet. 2:9. 

I would quite disagree here, God set up a series of Judges who would administrate HIS rule.....but the people wanted a king so they got one, a stinker name Saul

[Alive]

24 minutes ago, Josheb said:

And what did God say about their wish to have a king (a king like all the other nations)? 

Exactly.

[Riverwalker]

1 hour ago, Josheb said:

And what did God say about their wish to have a king (a king like all the other nations)? 

 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also. 9 Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.”

10 So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who asked him for a king. 11 And he said, “This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots. 12 He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. 14 And he will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants. 16 And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest [a]young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work. 17 He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants. 18 And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the Lord will not hear you in that day.”

9 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, 20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”