1 Chronicles 6 Devotional

Atonement at the Center

“But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the Most Holy Place. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.”1 Chronicles 6:49 (BSB)

Chapter 6 is about the family of Levi, and near its end one sentence explains what the priests were for. Aaron and his sons served at the altar of burnt offering and the altar of incense to make atonement for Israel, as Moses had commanded (6:49). Atonement is the removal of guilt, so that sinful people can live in fellowship with a holy God. The whole arrangement of priests, singers and Levites is built around that need.

Notice how long the line of high priests runs, son after son, until Jehozadak goes into captivity when the LORD sends Judah into exile (6:15). Every priest served for a time and then died. Hebrews makes the same observation: there were many priests because death kept them from continuing, but Jesus lives forever and holds his priesthood permanently, so he is able to save completely those who come to God through him (Hebrews 7:23-25). The atonement Israel needed again and again has been made by a priest who will never be replaced.

To think about: How would your prayers change if you remembered that Jesus is always living to intercede for you?