Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
The cross references for Hebrews 5:4 relate to the idea that the priestly office is a special honor that is reserved for those who are chosen by God. The references from Exodus and Numbers emphasize the fact that only Aaron and his sons were chosen to serve in the priesthood, while the references from Chronicles and John emphasize the idea that this calling is a gift from God. The reference from 2 Chronicles also highlights the importance of respecting God's chosen servants, and the consequences of not doing so. Together, these cross references emphasize that the priesthood is a special honor that is reserved for those who are called by God.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Exodus 28:1: “Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. | Both passages refer to the appointment of Aaron as the first High Priest of Israel. Hebrews 5:4 explains that Aaron was only able to take on this role after being called by God. Exodus 28:1 details the instructions God gave to Moses to appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. |
| Numbers 16:5: and he said to Korah and all his company, “In the morning the Lord will show who is his, and who is holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him. | Both passages refer to a special calling from God. Hebrews 5:4 speaks of how Aaron was called by God to serve as the high priest of Israel. Numbers 16:5 speaks of God choosing someone to be near to Him and to serve in a special capacity. Both passages emphasize that it is God who calls us to serve Him, not something we can do for ourselves. |
| Numbers 16:40: to be a reminder to the people of Israel, so that no outsider, who is not of the descendants of Aaron, should draw near to burn incense before the Lord, lest he become like Korah and his company—as the Lord said to him through Moses. | Both passages refer to the role of Aaron as a priest before the LORD. Hebrews 5:4 explains that Aaron was called by God to this role, while Numbers 16:40 emphasizes the importance of only Aaron's descendants being allowed to serve as priests, as a reminder to the people of Israel. This is exemplified by the events surrounding Korah and his company, who were forbidden by the LORD from serving as priests through Moses. |
| Numbers 16:46-48: And Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the Lord; the plague has begun.” So Aaron took it as Moses said and ran into the midst of the assembly. And behold, the plague had already begun among the people. And he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. | Both passages refer to Aaron's role as High Priest, appointed by God. In Hebrews 5:4, the author states that no one can take the honor of High Priest for themselves, but must be called by God, just as Aaron was. In Numbers 16:46-48, we see an example of Aaron's role as High Priest, as he is instructed by Moses to take his censer, put fire on it, lay incense on it, and make atonement for the people. This action stops the plague that has begun among them. |
| Numbers 18:1-5: So the Lord said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father's house with you shall bear iniquity connected with the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear iniquity connected with your priesthood. And with you bring your brothers also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and minister to you while you and your sons with you are before the tent of the testimony. They shall keep guard over you and over the whole tent, but shall not come near to the vessels of the sanctuary or to the altar lest they, and you, die. They shall join you and keep guard over the tent of meeting for all the service of the tent, and no outsider shall come near you. And you shall keep guard over the sanctuary and over the altar, that there may never again be wrath on the people of Israel. | Both passages refer to the role of the Levites in the service of the tabernacle. Hebrews 5:4 explains that Aaron was called by God to lead the Levites in the service of the tabernacle, while Numbers 18:1-5 outlines the specific duties and responsibilities of the Levites in the service of the tabernacle. These responsibilities include keeping guard over the tent of meeting and the vessels of the sanctuary, and ensuring that no outsider comes near. |
| 1 Chronicles 23:13: The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart to dedicate the most holy things, that he and his sons forever should make offerings before the Lord and minister to him and pronounce blessings in his name forever. | Both passages refer to the same person, Aaron. Hebrews 5:4 explains that Aaron was called by God to take on the role of high priest. 1 Chronicles 23:13 goes into more detail, describing Aaron's specific duties as high priest, which included making offerings to the Lord and pronouncing blessings in His name. |
| 2 Chronicles 26:18: and they withstood King Uzziah and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary, for you have done wrong, and it will bring you no honor from the Lord God.” | Both passages highlight the importance of priests who are called by God. Hebrews 5:4 notes that no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 2 Chronicles 26:18 specifically mentions Aaron's sons and their role as priests, who were called to burn incense to the Lord. Uzziah, who was not from the line of Aaron, was reprimanded for attempting to take on this role, as it was not his to take. |
| John 3:27: John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. | Both passages demonstrate God's sovereignty in calling people to leadership roles. Hebrews 5:4 highlights how Aaron was called by God to serve as the high priest, emphasizing that no one can take this honor upon themselves. John 3:27 furthers this point by emphasizing that no one can receive anything unless it is given to them by God. Together, these passages demonstrate that it is only God who can appoint people to positions of leadership. |
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your mercy and grace. We thank You for calling Aaron and his sons to serve You as priests. We thank You for setting apart Aaron to dedicate the most holy things and to make offerings before You and to minister to You and to pronounce blessings in Your name forever. We thank You for the reminder that no one can receive anything unless it is given from You.
We pray for Your guidance and protection in our lives. Help us to honor You and to stay away from anything that would displease You. Help us to recognize and obey Your call in our lives and to be faithful to You in all that we do.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.