The examples of Korah and Uzziah are important for us today. They dramatically illustrate the principle stated by Hebrews 5:4: “No one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.”
“No one takes this honor for himself.”
Yet various people today take “this honor” upon themselves. They claim to be priests, and they also base their claim on the law of Moses. Yet it is the law of Moses that strictly forbids a priestly role for anyone outside of the family of Aaron! The same law judges trespassers and usurpers most harshly. If the law applies, then such non-Aaronites face the death penalty. “No, no,” comes the quick reply, “we live in a new age where the law does not apply in that way.” Here is a problem— wanting the law to apply, yet not apply.
Do we truly recognize that we live in a new age? Then let’s listen to God’s word for us in this new age. “No one takes this honor for himself” (Hebrews 5:4). No one! To do otherwise—to falsely claim to be priests for God—is a high crime against God. Humans may try to make it look good. They may point to centuries of solemn tradition. They may prolong training for priesthood and require extraordinary devotion. They may ordain with splendid ceremonies. They may receive the approval of kings and adoring populations. Such things do not impress God. Indeed, the opposite may be true: “What is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15). No matter how impressive to human eyes, any false priesthood amounts to men interfering in divine matters.