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Day 9: Called to be Priests

“You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

Exodus 19:6

The Lord selected Israel to be a kingdom of priests. By faith and extraordinary miracles, Israel successfully crossed the Jordan River, taking possession of the land. In Joshua chapters 3 and 4, the role and actions of the priests during the crossing are detailed. They boldly stepped into the flowing waters of the Jordan by faith, being the first to enter and the last to exit. This book repeatedly emphasizes their actions and influence in Israel.

The priestly role traces back to the Garden of Eden, where God placed Adam to cultivate and keep the garden (Genesis 2:15). God entrusted him with all of creation, along with a commandment that, if fulfilled, brings life, and if neglected, brings death. When God entrusted man with the priesthood in the Garden of Eden, His vision was to multiply and spread the bounds of this beautiful place. So the perfect relationship between God and man, man and man, man and woman, and man and animals would be not only in the garden but beyond it, throughout the whole earth. Created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), Adam and Eve were intended to fulfill their destiny in the character and authority of the Lord of heaven and earth. God's image and likeness were to be manifested in Eden and fill the entire earth (Genesis 1:28). Regrettably, Adam fell short of God's trust.

However, God's communication with humanity didn't cease there; His dream extended and resonated in the hearts of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Choosing the people of Israel, God intended to grant them a portion of the land and establish them as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). The tribe of Levi and the family of Aaron were designated to serve as high priests, priests, and Levites, and their influence was meant to extend beyond Israel's borders.

In the Hebrew language, God uses the same words for Adam and the tribe of Levi: "work/ take care."

Genesis 2:15 - "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and to take care of it."

Numbers 3:8 - “They are to take care of all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, fulfilling the obligations of the Israelites by doing the work of the tabernacle.”

The Hebrew word "work" used in Genesis 2:15 and Numbers 3:8 also carries the meaning of "to serve," and the Hebrew word "care" carries additional meanings of "guard" and "vigilance."

In the Pentateuch, these same two words describe the responsibility of the Levites in the tabernacle. God granted Israel the land and appointed priests whose task was to keep, serve, and spread knowledge about Him and the power of His might throughout their land and beyond. Unfortunately, Israel fell short of God's trust.

Nevertheless, God's dream found fulfillment in Jesus Christ, making us a kingdom of priests. In Christ, God entrusted us with the role of priests to serve, work, stand guard over this land, ensuring that His character, power, and rule reach every corner of the earth. He calls us to proclaim the perfection of "Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light." He desires His name to be widely known in our surroundings and beyond! He has given us the ministry of reconciliation: we must become ambassadors between God and this lost world.

Israel was supposed to fulfill what Adam failed in, and we are called to rectify what Israel could not accomplish. We are in a better position because we have a High Priest! Unlike anyone before, Christ became our High Priest; He empathizes with us and intercedes for us, sitting at the right hand of God.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

1 Peter 2:9

Reflection Questions:

1. How often do you lose vigilance and allow impure thoughts, words, and actions into your life?

2. How do you manage your priesthood? Do you justify His trust?

3. How well do you serve and stand guard to make knowledge about God and His presence known, both within your home and beyond its borders?

Prayer

1. That we would see the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
2. That we would joyfully and honorably perform the priesthood in our family, church, city, and to the ends of the earth.
3. For the Fatherhood Movement.
4. For East Asia - may they see multiplication of disciples and teams in the world of sport, play, and fitness.