Phinehas+Covenant

toc =Background=

God has already distinguished between people and priest. Only the sons of Aaron could be priests (Exod 28:1). The rest of the Israelites, while serving as a witness to the nations (Exod 19:5-6), were still under the leadership of the priests in matters of sacrifice and worship. Those within the tribe of Levi but outside of Aaron’s line were close helpers of the priests but were not priests themselves (Num 4:1-41). God has granted Aaron’s line this privilege perpetually (Exod 29:9).

=Phinehas Covenant=

As Israel travels closer to the Promised Land, they engage in gross sin at Baal Peor (Num 25:1-4). This is the first occasion where Israel actually apostasizes to a different god rather than creating false images of YHWH. God’s instructions to Moses were to impale the leaders of the rebellious people to satisfy God’s wrath (Num 25:4). Moses cites that Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron (Num 25:7; cf. Exod 6:25) follows the Lord’s commands perfectly and against a particularly heinous perpetrator (Num 25:7-8). His heroic actions are commemorated in Psalm 106:30.

As a result of his actions, the Lord makes a covenant of peace with Phinehas expressing that his line will occupy the priestly position forever (Num 25:10-13). Scholars agree that this is a specific application or designation of Aaron’s priestly covenant to Phinehas. Phinehas’ line will be now the exclusive line within Aaron’s family to have the privilege of serving as priest.

=Fulfillment of the Phinehas Covenant=

The implementation of the Phinehas Covenant within Israel’s history is quite complicated. During the time of the Judges, Eli and his family were the priests. The line of Eli did not originate from Phinehas but through a completely different line; one of Aaron’s other son, Ithamar (note Eli’s son Ahimelech in 1 Sam 14:3, 22:9 and his tie to Ithamar in 1 Chron 24:3). The line of Ithamar was partially responsible for the demise of Israel's spirituality.

However, because of sins of Eli’s sons, God promised to decimate Eli’s line and throw them out from the priesthood. This took place over a series of events including the first battle of Aphek (1 Sam 4:1-22), the death of the Elide priests at Nob (1 Sam 22:9), and the exile of Abiathar by Solomon. At that point, Zadok, who was in the line of Phinehas (1 Kings 2:26-27), took over fulfilling the prophecy against Eli but also commencing the fulfillment of the Phinehas Covenant (1 Kings 2:35). Zadok specifically bears the Phinehas and Aaronic covenant.

While some priests acted corruptly (cf. Micah 3:11), others remained pure during the rest of Israel’s history (2 Kings 11:17). However, after the destruction of the temple in 586 B.C., the //perpetual// Phinehas Covenant is still left unfulfilled. Chronicles and Ezra indicate that God’s relationship with His people and specifically His promises to the priesthood are not finished as Cyrus issues the decree for the people to return and build the temple (Ezra 1:1). Furthermore, Ezekiel cites that because Zadok’s line was faithful to God throughout Israel’s history, his line will serve in the Millennial temple (Ezek 40:46; 43:19; 44:15). They will have the benefits associated with the priesthood (Ezek 48:11) and be part of the national and external demonstration that God dwells intimately with His people and fulfills all of His promises. Some have disputed this interpretation based upon alternative interpretations of Ezekiel's temple imagery. Conversely, assuming this interpretation to have validity, the Phinehas Covenant would find final fulfillment at this time and place.

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