5.  The Most High or Most High God.  This means:  (1) The Possessor of heaven and earth, who as owner distributes the earth among the nations; (2) The one who, as possessor, has dominion and authority over both, Dan. 4:18, 37; Ps. 91:9-13.

6.  Everlasting God, This represents him as:  (1) The God of the mystery of the ages and, therefore, (2) The God of secrets; (3) The God of everlasting existence whose understanding is past finding out, Is. 40:28.

7.  Lord (Jehovah) God, This name is used:  (1) Of the relation of Deity to man, (a) as Creator, creating and controlling his destiny, especially of his earthly relations, (b) as having moral authority over him, (c) as redeemer; (2) Of his relation to Israel, whose destiny he made and controlled.

8.  Lord (Jehovah) of Hosts.  This refer:  Usually to the host of heaven, especially of angels; (2) To all the divine or heavenly power available for the people of God; (3) The special name of deity used to comfort Israel in time of division and defeat or failure, Is. 1:9, 8:11-14.

Note.  Drill on the use of these names and find some scripture passage illustrating the use of each.

* * * * *

Chapter III.

The Sacred Officers and Sacred Occasions.

The Sacred Officers.

The following facts about the officers of the Bible should be familiar to all Bible students.

1.  The Priests.  They represent the people to God.  The head of the household was the first priest.  Gen. 8:20.  Later the first born or oldest son became priests of the chosen people, Ex. 28:1.  They served in the tabernacle and later in the temple where they conducted religious services, offered sacrifices for public and private sins and were teachers and magistrates of the law.

2.  The Prophets.  These speak for God to the people.  They received revelations from God and made them known to men.  They were selected according to God’s own will to impart his spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:11) and extended down through those who wrote prophetic books to Malachi.  They were philosophers, teachers, preachers and guides to the people’s piety and worship.  Abraham was the first to be called a prophet (Gen. 20:7) and Aaron next (Ex. 7:1).

3.  The Scribes.  The word means a writer and Seraiah is the first one mentioned, 2 Sam. 8;17.  As writers they soon became transcribers, then interpreters and teachers or expounders.  They became known as lawyers and were accorded high standing and dignity.  In the time of the kings they were supported by the state as a learned, organized and highly influential body of men.  In Christ’s time they were among the most influential members of the Sanhedrin.

4.  The Apostles.  These formed the beginning of Christ’s church.  They were separate from the old order and were, therefore, under no obligation to any caste.  Nor were they tied to the old administration of divine things.  The word means a messenger or one sent.  They were, therefore, to be with him and to be sent forth to preach.  Twelve were chosen, and when Judas, one of them, betrayed him, Matthias was chosen in his place (Acts 1:15-26).  Paul was appointed in a special way (Acts 9:1-43) and perhaps others.  Barnabas was called an apostle (Acts 14:14).