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A biblical priest, by definition, is someone who was appointed to serve in the very presence of God. Additionally, the service which the priest rendered had to do with sanctified things and activities. In the Old Testament, the priest was an intermediary, so to speak, between God and man. In the role of a priest, sacrifices and offerings were made in keeping with God's commands, or in response to a worshiper's desire to lift up a thank offering to God. Men could not, with God's blessings, appoint themselves as priests; it was an office to which men were appointed by a spokesperson for God himself. Inasmuch as this was the case, the Old Testament priests were appointed by the Lord and served among the ranks of men.

There were several “rules” by which it was determined whether or not an Israelite was a candidate for the priesthood. One requirement was that priests were to be selected only from the tribe (descendent) of Levi. Beyond that and even more specific, the priest-to-be of necessity had to be a descendent of Aaron, Moses' brother. There were other requirements that had to do with character and holiness, but the first two were totally out of the control of individual under consideration. As a result, any man who did not meet the first two qualifications was automatically barred from the priesthood regardless of his character or holiness.

This priestly system was, as far as the Divine Record goes, always intended to be temporary. It served a number of functions, not the least of which was to prefigure the greater Priesthood that was to be ushered in with the ascension of the risen Christ to the right hand of the Father. In fact, the writer of the 110th Psalm anticipated the fact that god would eventually appoint an unchanging priesthood. Of course the priests of the Old Testament served in their offices temporarily due to the fact they were human; all of them eventually died. However, David foreseeing the Christ said, “The LORD has sworn And will not relent, 'You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.'” (Psalms110.4). This very passage was quoted by the Hebrews writer no less than four times in the space of three chapters. The final passage where David's words were quoted said, “The LORD has sworn And will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.'” (Hebrews 7.21; see 5.6,6.20, and 7.17 for the other three citations).

This Priest was different than all the rest. His Priesthood was established in an entirely different way and upon better promises. His service was entirely different in that He literally performed in heaven, while the former priests only served heavenward. All previous priests had to first cleanse themselves of sins before approaching the altar; this Priest had no sins of which He needed cleansing. When Jesus fulfilled perfectly His earthly role, He entered once and for all into the Heavenly Sanctuary where He yet serves. However, by His coming to the Father in that way, He also signalled a change in the earthly priesthood. Rather than being restrictive in a manner similar to the Old Testament, Jesus Christ became the High Priest of all believers and in the same moment, made all believers priests. Consider the following: “...you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2.5).

When the believer bows his/her head in prayer, no intermediary is needed other than the One we have in heaven, Jesus Christ who is a priest forever!

Questions:

1. What was the role of the Old Testament priest?

2. What two qualifying lineage requirements were necessary to be a priest under the Law of Moses?

3. Could Jesus have been a priest under the Old Testament system? Why or why not?

4. If we are priests, how did we become priests? What or who qualified us to be priests?

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

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