The Divine Appointment and Lineage of the Priest in Ancient Israel
The role of the priest in ancient Israel was not a self-appointed position, nor was it determined by popular vote or human merit. It was a divine appointment, established by God Himself, integral to His covenant relationship with His chosen people. Following the Exodus from Egypt, as the nation of Israel was being formally constituted at Mount Sinai, the Lord set apart a specific lineage for this sacred service. This lineage was the tribe of Levi, and specifically, the descendants of Aaron, Moses' brother. The book of Exodus details this divine calling:
And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
This exclusivity was paramount, ensuring that only those divinely chosen could approach God in His prescribed ways. The consecration of Aaron and his sons, detailed in Exodus 29 and Leviticus 8, involved specific rituals of washing, anointing with oil, and the offering of sacrifices, signifying their sanctification and separation for holy service. Their garments, meticulously described in Exodus 28, were not merely decorative but symbolic, representing the glory and beauty of their office, and identifying them as mediators between God and man. The high priest, in particular, bore the names of the twelve tribes of Israel upon his breastplate and shoulders, signifying his representative role before the Lord.
Mediators of Atonement and Sacrifice
Perhaps the most central and solemn duty of the priest was to act as a mediator between a holy God and sinful humanity, primarily through the offering of sacrifices. The sacrificial system, meticulously laid out in the book of Leviticus, provided the means by which Israel could find atonement for their sins and maintain their covenant relationship with God. Priests were responsible for:
- Receiving and Inspecting Offerings: They would examine the animals or grain brought by the people to ensure they met the strict requirements of being "without blemish," as commanded by the Lord (Leviticus 1:3).
- Performing Sacrificial Rituals: This involved the slaying of animals, sprinkling of blood, burning of specific parts on the altar, and sometimes eating portions of the offering, all according to precise divine instructions. Different sacrifices served different purposes:
- Burnt Offering: Atonement for general sin, signifying complete devotion (Leviticus 1).
- Peace Offering: Expression of thanksgiving, fellowship, or a vow (Leviticus 3).
- Sin Offering: Atonement for unintentional sins (Leviticus 4).
- Trespass Offering: Atonement for specific sins involving restitution (Leviticus 5).
- Offering Incense: The priests, particularly the high priest, were responsible for burning incense on the golden altar, symbolizing the prayers of the saints ascending to God (Exodus 30:7-8).
The high priest held a unique and profound role on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the most sacred day of the Israelite calendar. On this day, he alone entered the Most Holy Place, behind the veil, to sprinkle the blood of the sin offering upon the mercy seat, making atonement for himself, his household, and the entire congregation of Israel (Leviticus 16). This annual ritual underscored the gravity of sin and the necessity of divine provision for reconciliation, a stark reminder that "without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22).
Guardians and Teachers of the Law
Beyond the altar, the priests were entrusted with the sacred duty of preserving, interpreting, and teaching God's law to the people. They were the spiritual instructors of the nation, ensuring that the statutes and judgments of the Lord were understood and obeyed. Moses himself spoke of this responsibility:
They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.
This teaching role involved:
- Instructing in God's Statutes: Explaining the commandments, ordinances, and judgments given at Sinai.
- Distinguishing Between Holy and Unholy: Priests were uniquely tasked with helping the people discern between that which was sacred and that which was profane, and between the clean and the unclean (Leviticus 10:10). This was crucial for maintaining ritual purity necessary for worship and for the health of the community.
- Answering Legal and Ritual Questions: People would bring complex cases or questions concerning the law to the priests for authoritative rulings.
This function was vital for the spiritual health and moral conduct of the nation, preventing them from straying into idolatry or unrighteousness.
Judges and Discerner of God's Will
The priests also played a significant role in the judicial system of Israel, especially in matters pertaining to religious law and disputes. When civil or criminal cases had no clear resolution among the local judges, they could be brought before the priests and judges at the central sanctuary for a definitive ruling, as commanded in Deuteronomy 17:8-11. This highlights their authority and the trust placed in their wisdom and knowledge of the law.
Furthermore, the high priest possessed the Urim and Thummim, mysterious objects placed within the breastplate, which were used to inquire of the Lord for divine guidance in matters of national importance. This form of divine communication allowed the leaders of Israel to ascertain God's will in critical decisions, such as going to war or determining guilt (Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 23:9-12).
Custodians of the Tabernacle/Temple
The priests were responsible for the care, maintenance, and operation of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, and later, the Temple in Jerusalem. This included:
- Setting Up and Taking Down the Tabernacle: During Israel's wilderness wanderings, the Levites, under the direction of the priests, were responsible for the meticulous dismantling and reassembling of the sanctuary (Numbers 1:50-53).
- Daily Temple Service: This involved lighting the menorah, changing the showbread, cleaning the altars, and ensuring that all sacred vessels and furnishings were properly maintained and handled according to divine command.
- Guarding the Sanctuary: They were tasked with preventing unauthorized persons from entering the holy areas, thus protecting the sanctity of God's dwelling place.
Blessing the People
A beautiful and comforting aspect of the priestly role was the solemn act of blessing the people. After offering sacrifices, the priests would raise their hands and pronounce the Aaronic blessing upon the congregation, invoking God's favor, protection, and peace:
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
This blessing was not merely a wish but a divine promise, a tangible expression of God's desire to be gracious to His people, conveyed through His appointed representatives.
Foreshadowing the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ
While the Levitical priesthood was essential for the Old Covenant, it also revealed its own limitations. The priests were mortal men, subject to sin, and thus had to offer sacrifices for themselves before they could offer for others (Hebrews 7:27). Their sacrifices were temporary, needing to be repeated continually because they could not truly take away sin (Hebrews 10:1-4).
The Old Testament priesthood, therefore, served as a powerful type and shadow, pointing forward to the ultimate and perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ. The book of Hebrews masterfully articulates Christ's superiority:
- His Perfect Priesthood: Christ is a priest "for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Hebrews 7:17), a priesthood not based on human lineage but on the power of an indestructible life.
- His Perfect Sacrifice: Unlike the priests who offered countless animal sacrifices, Christ offered Himself "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10), a perfect and sufficient sacrifice that truly atones for sin and cleanses the conscience.
- His Eternal Intercession: Because He lives forever, Christ holds an unchangeable priesthood and "ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).
- His Access to God: Through His blood, believers now have direct access to the very presence of God, entering the "holiest by the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10:19), a privilege once reserved for the high priest alone, once a year.
Conclusion
The role of the priest in ancient Israel was multifaceted and profoundly significant. From mediating atonement through sacrifice to teaching God's law, judging disputes, maintaining the sanctuary, and blessing the people, the priest stood as a vital link between the holy God and His covenant people. Their office underscored the holiness of God, the gravity of sin, and the necessity of divine provision for reconciliation. Yet, their very limitations pointed to a greater reality: the coming of Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest. He fulfilled every type and shadow of the Old Testament priesthood, offering a perfect sacrifice, providing eternal access to God, and establishing a new covenant where believers themselves are called to be "a royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), offering spiritual sacrifices of praise and service to God through Him. The Old Testament priest was a testament to God's careful design for His people, a design ultimately perfected in Christ Jesus.