Nation of Priests

What does a nation of priests look like? We must first see an example of a priest.

Priests were Chosen, ordained by God.
Were taken from mankind because they were subject to the temptations and weaknesses of the flesh and could have compassion on their brethren and the ignorant.
They are interceders for God through offering up gifts and sacrifices for sin.

Aaron was chosen by God, “Hebrews 5:4 says “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as [was] Aaron.” And Hebrews 9:4 says, “Which [the Ark of the Covenant] had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein [was] the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;” Aarons rod that budded was a sign to the Hebrews that Aaron was the chosen priest, (see Numbers 17 and Exodus 28:4).

Aaron was chosen from mankind. He must know and feel the infirmities of his brethren and be tempted in all points so he can have compassion on them to qualify as a priest.

Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. (Hebrews 5:2 KJV)

The third qualifier is the priest had to offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins.

Hebrews 5:1 says, For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things [pertaining] to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

Aaron was chosen and anointed by God to serve Him, Numbers 8:1, 9-12, 18-26.

To intercede as a mediator between God and His people, to offer up sacrifices for sin, (see Numbers 8:19).

God chose Aaron as the high priest and his kin, the Levites, to be priests to help preform the ministries ordained by God. Together they formed one body and shared the authority to appear before God, to perform the duties God had given them, and to intercede for His people. They formed a nation of priests.

Now we have a better and New Covenant with a faithful and true High Priest Jesus Christ.

Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him [Jesus] to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Jesus was made like unto His brethren. God the Son became man. Philippians 2:6-8 says, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”(KJV).

Jesus was Chosen by God Hebrews 5:5 says, “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.” And God choose Him to be a High priest in Hebrews 5:10 “Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.”

First, he was a chosen man. (See also Hebrews 5:1, 10 above and 5:5, 6; 7:11, 15, 17-25; made a priest after the order of Melchisedec).

Second, He felt the infirmities of mankind through obedience and death. (Philippians 2:8). Hebrews 4:15 backs this up, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.”

Third, Hebrews 2:17 says “to make reconciliation to God for the sins of the people. He was ordained a High priest. Hebrews 8:3 says “For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore [it is] of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.” His priesthood is far superior as He has an “unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

So we can see these three qualifiers in the priesthood.
Priests were Chosen, ordained by God.
Were taken from mankind because they were subject to the temptations and weaknesses of the flesh and could have compassion on their brethren and the ignorant.
They are interceders for God through offering up gifts and sacrifices for sin.

So what about the Nation of priests?

The Levitical tribe was a good example of this. Aaron the high priest and the other priests formed the nation of priests. They all had separate duties to perform. After they made it to the Promised Land the priests were placed throughout the land to intercede for God’s people.

How does this look today?

God’s people are His chosen priesthood today.

Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

He has made us priests and together we form a nation of priests. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5 KJV)

We are a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. We have been sent as His ambassadors to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20 KJV)

Christ is with us our High Priest who has called, ordained, and sends us out to intercede for His people. How are you fulfilling your priestly duties? No excuses we all have the ministry of reconciliation.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit,[know], that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21 KJV)

Just as the Levitical tribe was a good example of a nation of priests. Aaron the high priest and the other priests formed the nation of priests. So is Jesus our High priest and we are His priests which form a nation of priest for God. The Levites all had separate duties to perform and so do we. After they made it to the Promised Land the priests were placed throughout the land to intercede for God’s people and now we are to go out into all the earth and intercede for God’s people through Jesus Christ.

Jesus is our High priest and we form the nation of priests today. Intercede for other as His ambassadors and priest, start today.

In Christ,

Greg