A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS
When God
gave the children of Israel the law, He also established the priesthood. When
He called the children of Israel out of Egypt, He had an idea of what He wanted
them to be like. Exodus 19:5-6
God wanted
them to be Him a kingdom of priest; men, women, old and young. But we also know
that God established the priesthood to minister to this kingdom of priests
[Exodus 28:29]. Unfortunately, they did not come up to become priest because
they broke the law and the covenant several times.
Malachi 2:7
Leviticus
10:11
To be the
messenger of the Lord meant that the priest had to know the word of God, which
at that time was the law. The Auromic priesthood was established to minister in
things pertaining to God.
The
responsibility of this priesthood was first of God, and then to the people. The
priests were therefore to teach the people the word of God and also offer gifts
and sacrifices [Hebrews 8:3a]
PRIESTHOOD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
The children
of Israel did not become a kingdom of priests, and several times in the old
Testament, God spoke through His prophets of a kingdom of people that would be
to Him the kingdom of priests He planned for originally. Isaiah 61:1-3
We know from
the scriptures that Israel as a nation was never called the kingdom of trees of
righteousness up until the time the old covenant was abolished, because they
did not walk in the law as they were supposed. So [Isaiah 61:1-3] has a direct
application to the church.
Isaiah
61:4-6. Also read
Isaiah 2:2-2
Isaiah 2:3
Isaiah 8:18
Out of Zion
shall go forth the law and the children of Zion are for signs and wonders.