THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

Title: The Royal Priesthood          

Scriptures: 1 Chronicles 15:1-2 “After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. 2 Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, because the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister before him forever.”

Hebrews 7:11-19 “So if the priesthood of Levi, on which the law was based, could have achieved the perfection God intended, why did God need to establish a different priesthood, with a priest in the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron?  12 And if the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it. 13 For the priest we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members have never served at the altar as priests. 14 What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned priests coming from that tribe.

15 This change has been made very clear since a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has appeared. 16 Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. 17 And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”  

18 Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. 19 For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

1 Peter 2:9 “9 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”

With these Scriptures, three important things to take note; the Ark, the priesthood (Levites) and the ministry. (Responsibilities and Purpose)

1. The Ark- “sacred chest” made of acacia wood laden with gold, covered by a lid called the “mercy seat” or “the place of atonement” crafted with two winged cherubim also made of gold. (Exodus 25) inside you will find the two tablets of stone of God’s commandments given to Moses, a jar of manna and the budded staff of Aaron.

 As the Israelites traveled from Mount Sinai to Canaan, the ark of the covenant was to be carried by the Levites, before them through the wilderness as a constant reminder of God’s holy, living presence (Numbers 10:33–36). When the Ark is moving, the Israelites are also on their feet, if the Ark is settled, so they are. 

1. The Levites (Priesthood) – these are the sons of Levi, Jacob and Leah’s third son. The Levites are introduced as a tribe that replaces the special place of the firstborn on Passover night (Numbers 3:11-13) Moses and Aaron are from the tribe of Levi. God chose Aaron and his sons as High priest and (sons)priest, together with the Levites. They are assigned by doing the work of the tabernacle, ordained in God’s service. 

What makes them significant and chosen by God? (Numbers 18:6-8) 

The reason the Levites were favoured above other tribes to be specially allocated to the service of God, is that they stepped forward to the side of Moses and God when the Israelites sinned with the golden calf in the wilderness. They were “set apart to the Lord” because when Moses asked the people “whoever is for the Lord come to me” the Levites “were against their own sons and brothers” and rallied to him. (Exodus 32:26, 29) 

The same challenge spoken by Jesus in Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple”.  

• Set apart to the Lord- Chosen and consecrated “I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the Lord, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

• Gifted- Divinely equipped for the service ““Therefore you and your sons, shall keep your priest’s office for everything of the altar, and within the vail; and you shall serve: I have given your priest’s office [unto you] as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.” 

2 Samuel 6:6-8 Uzzah, was struck down by God for touching the Ark of the Covenant when it was being transported to Jerusalem. Although he is a Levite, he violated the divine specified law that only the priest (specifically the High priest) of Levi could touch the Ark. 

 Remember the tabernacle of God in the Old Testament is divided into two parts:

1. The outer court– It was a place where sacrifices were made and offerings were presented to God. (Atonement and cleansing by the blood) 

Leviticus 17:11” For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’

Hebrews 9:22 “without the shedding of blood, there will be no remissions for sins” 

1. The inner Court– 

• Holy Place ( Table of Showbread, Altar of Incense, The Lampstand)

 The priest offered the sacrifices and burned incense to the Lord.

– The Most Holy – The Ark with “mercy seat” 

• Anointed – Empowered for the service “And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance forever.”

When I looked into this distinction, it is like separating the chosen from the called. Every Levites is called to service for God, but not everyone is chosen to be a priest. All Levites did not perform the same kind of service in the Tabernacle. Read the book of Numbers and you will see their delegated duties and responsibilities. And even in the times of King David, the Levites were even given much expanded task , they were not only in charge of carrying the ark, but now that the Lord given them rest, the ark is settled in Jerusalem. David assigned song leaders and skilled musicians in charge of praise and worship, (1 Chronicles 25:1-7),

Gatekeepers /Ushers (1 Chronicles 9:17-24) Trustees and Treasurers /Property Custodians

(1 Chronicles 9:26-31; 26:20-28)

Hebrews 7:11-12 “So if the priesthood of Levi, on which the law was based, could have achieved the perfection God intended, why did God need to establish a different priesthood, with a priest in the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron?  12 And if the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it. 

It was written in Hebrews 5:1-4 “Priests are chosen for the office by God, give sacrifice to God for his own sin and sins of the other people, must be cleansed in a special ritual ways”.

Who is Melchizedek? Hebrews 7:1 “ King of Salem, Priest of the Most High God” the Bible has no record of his genealogy, nothing about his beginning and the end. 

Remember that the Old Testament is the foreshadow of the things to happen in the New Testament. And because the Levitical priesthood was imperfect, because it is impossible for the blood of animals to take away sins administered by sinful humans. (Hebrews 10:4) Jesus, both the perfect priest and sacrifice (John 1:29 “The Lamb who takes away the sins of the world”) He came to do the will of the Father and by that will we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:9-10) Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. (Hebrews 10:19; Ephesians 2:18)

The Called and Chosen – The Church ( Appointed, Anointed, Empowered and Equipped) 

1 Peter 2:9 9 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”

Gifted 

1 Corinthians 12;27-30 “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracle, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

• Romans 2:11” 11 For there is no partiality with God” He does not show favoritism 
• James 1:17 7 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
• Romans 11:29 “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

All gifts for the edification of the Church, for promoting spiritual growth and strength, to carry the Ark ( The Spirit living presence of God) and to minister before Him forever.