As part of His covenant with Israel, God begins to set up a priesthood that will minister to Him in His sanctuary. He chose Aaron and his sons for the priestly work and gave instructions about (1) the garments that they will wear when performing their duties, (2) the consecration ritual that they must go through, and (3) the duties that they will perform in the tabernacle.
A uniquely important duty
The priestly duty holds a special role in the life of Israel under covenant with God. Their primary task is to keep the sanctuary of God in order. This task includes the following:
- offer the daily sacrifice, one ram in the morning and another in the evening – a portion of its blood will be brought inside the sanctuary and sprinkled before the LORD on the altar of incense
- trim the lamps, in the morning and in the afternoon – the high priest will bring in pure olive oil and replenish the supply of oil in the lamp to make sure it will continue to give light in the sanctuary
- Offer incense on the golden altar in the morning and in the afternoon. The high priest will put fragrant incense on coals on the altar. He will spread the smoke all over the holy place.
- bring in fresh supply of bread on the table of the bread of the presence – this is done on sabbath day, the old set will be eaten by the priests inside the tabernacle ground
Another important duty of the priests in the tabernacle is to supervise the preparation and offering of the sacrifices. Every Israelite who approaches God in the tabernacle will bring an offering with him. The priests will receive these offerings from their hands and prepare them for burning on the bronze altar.
A beautiful type of Christ and the church
The Old Testament priesthood is a beautiful prefiguration of the priestly work of Christ and the church. As the high priest of our confession, Jesus Christ was appointed by God, offered His own life on the cross as a sacrifice for sin, and entered the very heavens to stand before the throne of mercy in behalf of the every sinner who desires to be reconciled to God.
1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus;
Hebrews 3.1 NASB
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our confession.
15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4.14-15 NASB
Christ continues His high priestly duty in heaven throughout the church ages. This is evident in the vision of John concerning the church. Jesus stands in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, holding the seven stars in His right hand. (See Revelation 1.10-16)
On the other hand, whereas Aaron and his family were chosen to serve as priests in the sanctuary of God, every member of the church make up the priesthood in the New Testament. The priestly work is not given to just one family, but to the entire body of Christ.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2.9-10 NASB
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