Three Offices of Messiah

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

But the LORD said to Moses, “Put back the rod of Aaron before the testimony to be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put an end to their grumblings against Me, so that they will not die.” (Numbers 17:10)

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Korach (קורח | Korah)

Torah: Numbers 16:1-18:32

Haftarah: 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22

Gospel: Luke 18:35-19:28

Three Offices of Messiah

The LORD commanded Moses to keep Aaron’s rod before the ark to be kept as a sign for future generations. The writer of the book of Hebrews claims that three things were kept inside the Ark of the Covenant:

… the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant. (Hebrews 9:4)

As explained in parashat Beshalach, each of the three items in the Ark symbolizes one of the three offices of Messiah: prophet, priest and king. In His first coming, Yeshua came primarily as a prophet. After His resurrection, He has functioned primarily as our high priest. When He comes again, He will function primarily as king.

The manna symbolizes His prophetic ministry, as the Torah says, “[He] fed you with manna … that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3). That which proceeds from His mouth is His word. A prophet is one who speaks God’s word. In His first coming, Yeshua functioned primarily as a prophet. Thus the jar of manna, which represents God’s nourishing, prophetic word, symbolizes Yeshua in His first coming, as He said, “I am the bread that came down out of heaven” (John 6:41).

The rod that budded symbolizes His resurrection and priestly ministry, seated at the right hand of the Father, as is explained above. The tables of the covenant symbolize His role as king. A king is a lawgiver. Messiah’s kingship will be most fully realized in His second coming, when all nations will seek Him, and the Torah will go forth from Zion.

May He come speedily in our days!

-First Fruits of Zion