Exodus 19:5-6 NKJV
Now, therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
A Priest has two functions. He represents God to the people, and he intercedes for the people before God. When we look at the Old Testament, that picture is clear because the priests’ office and functions were much elevated. One important function of the priest was to offer sacrifices to God on behalf of the people.
But what was God’s original intention? From the time of the fall, before we get to Moses and mount Sinai, we see individuals offering sacrifices and functioning as priests. Can and Abel each offered sacrifices for themselves. Noah also offered sacrifices and so did Abraham.
When we get to Moses at Mt Sinai, God wanted Israel to become a nation of priests and a holy nation if they walked in obedience to God’s voice. God says they would be a special treasure to him above all other nations.
Israel as a nation was to be as priests representing God to other nations and interceding for other nations before God. Instead of being that kingdom of priests and a holy nation, they walked in disobedience to God’s voice time and time again, and they ended up being a nation that only had a tribe of priests.
It is the same outlook many of our churches have today whereas much as we quote the scripture about Christ making us kings and priests, we only see the “Clergy” functioning as priests while the rest of the believers are what we call the laymen.
Reflections
If Christ has made us… Not will make us…… Kings and priests, what does that mean to you?
What were the. functions of a priest in the OT, and how does that relate to you today?
If you are not functioning in that role, what is stopping you?
