Priesthood & Levites – Nehemiah 12, Luke 1

Recently, I have been bumping into Joseph descendant and the Levites and I have found similar ties. The Levites belong to priesthood.

What we know about them (the Levites)
They are linked to a family of priesthood; they have no inheritance except those given to them in tithe (inheritance), Joseph descendent had one portion (little) inheritance (number 36, Joshua 17: 14). They had to purify themself (1 John 3: 3, John 12: 19). Joseph was consecrated in prison, sold to slave and avoided sexual fornication with Potiphar (Consecration). Levites praise and give thanks to God (Nehemiah 12: 24, I Chronicles 28) as prescribed by kings. so, there were in charge of songs of thanksgiving as king David had with Asaph. They also sang under the spiritual direction (much like orchestra) of Jezrahiah (someone). They offered great sacrifices of rejoicing because Yahweh gave them great Joy. The musicians (To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, Psalm 18: 1, January 18. 1) followed the command of David for songs of praise for giving their daily portions to God. This caused women and children to rejoice such that it could be heard from afar. (See Nehemiah 1)

The lineage of Levites (associated with the word Leviticus – instructions for priest associated with the New Testament; Hebrew which speaks extensively about our great high priest – Jesus).

Now bear in mind that Hebrew 7:3 says the Levites had no lineage and Joseph upon being sold to slavery had no mother and father, he became a ruler in Egypt without lineage and he was considered dead by his father for a while. Resembling the son of God. Until he rose again, and Joseph was found again. (An interchange of holy for the unholy, I once lost and now I’m found – Prodigal son). So, Joseph saved his brothers from famine and thus the sin they committed as Jesus saved the people from their sins. (Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens – Hebrew 7: 26). It was in writing in the book of chronicles kings and Levites worked together bringing forth the Davidic covenant of salt. One notable priest was Abijah (Nehemiah 1: 17) during the rebuilding of the temple became a Governor often referred to David as a Man of God (of Abijah’s, Zikri; of Miniamin’s and of Moadiah’s, Piltai;).

Precession to Zechariah

In the days of Elizabeth and Zechariah, the bible accounts Zechariah to be from Abijah division and his wife was the descendant of Aaron (priestly lineage on both ends), Luke 1: 5.

Luke writings to Theophilus, further showed he burnt incense to the lord and once his division was on duty, he assembled worshippers outside the temple, praying (as with the priests in Nehemiah).

Their offspring John the Baptist was further consecrated coming from a priestly lineage to prepare the way for a greater high priest. How we knew John was consecrated:

1. He stayed in the wilderness for years until his ministry of baptism started, he consecrated himself. Luke 1:80 says, and the child grew and became strong in spirit^[d]; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel. (2 Chronicles 29: 5).
2. He was not given to intoxication and strong drink; his food was locust and wild honey much as samson. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, (Luke 1 vs ¹⁵ for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born)
3. He baptized with water. (In the Old Testament, people had to wash their hands and feet with water as a form cleansing/purification a shadow type of baptism, Exodus 30:19, 2 Chronicles 29: 15).
4. He spoke the proclaimed word given to him. (And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, Luke 1: 76, Matthew 3:3).
5. Circumcision a form of purification in Jewish custom as well as Circumcision of heart a form of purification of heart to separate unto God was done on the 8th day for John the Baptist. Luke 1: 59 as so 2 Chronicles 29 vs 17 says on the first day of the first month they began consecrating; by the eighth day of the month, they reached the porch of the Lord’s temple. For eight more days they consecrated the Lord’s temple. On the sixteenth day of the first month, they were finished. The temple which brought forth John the Baptist were holy (ie Zechariah and Elizabeth see Luke 1:23) which is why he was born with the holy spirit from inception see Luke 1:15, Hence is why Jesus said of all born of men none is greater than John the Baptist. He was born with the spirit of God from the womb because his parent was from the lineage of priest who were consecrated.
6. Ephesians 5: 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. Johns’ ministry preached repentance (washing of the water; 2Chronicles 29:15) and show the way (Jesus as our sanctifier) Matthew 3: 2. They followed the commands by the word in Chronicles 29. Very symbolic with Noah’s warning (words) before the flood. Hence, why Zechariah could not speak because of sanctification by word.
7. All priests help our prayers to be heard. Hebrew 7: 25, Luke 1:12, 2 Chronicles 7: 1. Hence, why Abraham offered. (If I regard iniquity in my heart the lord will not hear me).
8. The priest is closely linked with royal kings. Jesus the king of the Jews was to be born and Zechariah lineage of priesthood prepared the way for this. (2 Chronicles 29 vs 1: Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. He did what the Lord approved, just as his ancestor David had done.) Abijah is the division were Zechariah traced his lineage to Hezekiah. As with Abraham who gave the king of Salam and King Melchizedek gifts. I Peter 2: 9.

Funny coincidence(s)

When Zechariah heard John was to be born because of their situation, he did not believe; hence he was dumb for a while. When John the Baptist, was put in jail he had the same unbelief his father had which led to his death. (He asked are you the one to save us; our human frailty) May God help our UNBELIEF.

The spirit that was on John the Baptist was the spirit of Elijah; it is a funny coincidence that as Elijah became discourage, he asked God to kill him because of the great amount of wickedness in the time of Jezebel. Since, the same spirit was on John, I wonder if that why he doubted.

Hezekiah mothers name was Abijah; and Abijah was the daughter of Zechariah. Zechariah John’s father came from the division of Abijah by lot.

John’s message was to repent of our sins and to prepare the way for Christ coming (as I suspect it would be with the return since the spirit of Elijah and Moses was seen during the transfiguration representing the law and prophets as in Revelation 11). Moses took the 10 commandments on Holy ground and Elijah preached against wickedness as with John the Baptist and asked the people to repent. Since they are symbolic figure in Revelation 11 to signify his return. (someone has to prepare the way). Some claim its Joshua and Zerubbabel. But each time a witness comes Moses & Elijah likewise John the Baptist, it is usually a time of great wickedness (Pharoah, Jezebel and Herod’s time). Bringing subsequent prophets Aaron, Joshua and Jesus. Moses sinned because of wickedness of Pharoah and the people of Israel like Elijah saw wickedness that made him consider killing himself, likewise the two Herod with John the Baptist. They have wilderness seasons Moses was in the wilderness as with Elijah and John the Baptist.

Closing:

2 Chronicles 7 : 14

 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways (repent), then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin (salvation) and will heal their land (the kingdom of God).