Exodus 40:12-15 (NIV)
12 “Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water. 13 Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest. 14 Bring his sons and dress them in tunics. 15 Anoint them just as you anointed their father, so they may serve me as priests. Their anointing will be to a priesthood that will continue throughout their generations.”
Numbers 18:2-7 (NIV)
2 Bring your fellow Levites from your ancestral tribe to join you and assist you when you and your sons minister before the tent of the covenant law. 3 They are to be responsible to you and are to perform all the duties of the tent, but they must not go near the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar. Otherwise both they and you will die. 4 They are to join you and be responsible for the care of the tent of meeting—all the work at the tent—and no one else may come near where you are.
5 “You are to be responsible for the care of the sanctuary and the altar, so that my wrath will not fall on the Israelites again. 6 I myself have selected your fellow Levites from among the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to do the work at the tent of meeting. 7 But only you and your sons may serve as priests in connection with everything at the altar and inside the curtain. I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift. Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary is to be put to death.”
Reflection:
Under the Mosaic Law, the tribe of Levi was chosen by God to be the dedicated priests for the nation. The priests had many duties, but were primarily the mediators between God and the people. They were the ones who took the people’s sacrifices and offered them up to God. The High Priest, in particular, represented the whole nation of Israel before God. When a priest sinned, he brought guilt not only upon himself, but also upon the whole people. The priests also interceded on behalf of the people before God, and they would inquire of God for the nation.
Just like the priests of the Old Testament, God has chosen us to continue this royal priesthood- an incredible privilege entrusted to us. It’s not a status that is earned or achieved; it is a calling given by God to serve and bless others and to glorify Him in all that we do. As the people of God, we live out this calling whenever we pray and intercede for those who are lost and share the good news with others.
Responding to the Transmission:
As we desire to live for Jesus, may we take up our calling of being a part of this priesthood in confidence because He has chosen us. Spend time today reflecting on the greatness and love of God. Pray that He will give us the strength and the wisdom to live out this calling in our lives.
