A Royal Priesthood
July 10, 2011
Dear Friends,
In 1 Samuel 8, we have the account where the children of Israel ask for a king. Samuel was old and his sons, the obvious successors, were wicked men. The children of Israel do what seems like the logical thing to do – they ask Samuel for a king.
I wonder if the children of Israel were surprised at the response they received? God tells Samuel,
Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.(1 Sam. 8:7 NIV)
When did God ever tell the children of Israel that He was their King? Better yet, how did the children of Israel even know they were a “kingdom” to have a king rule over them? At the time of this event, they had been ruled over by a series of judges and the Levitical priesthood. Yet, despite the scant information on this important fact, God seems to expect that the people would have understood that He was their King and is upset when they miss this point.
There is one place where this important piece of information seems to be clearly conveyed to the people. It occurs on Mount Sinai when the people are newly released from Egypt and forming a national identity.
Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.(Ex. 19:3-6 NIV)
From this simple pronouncement, God expected the children of Israel to know some key points. First, he expected them to know they were a kingdom. Second, if they were a kingdom, they would of necessity have a king. God expected them to know that He was that King. Third, they weren’t just any kind of kingdom; they were a kingdom of priests which certainly is unique in the grand scheme of things. You would think that a point that was this important would be emphasized over and over yet it is not until the writing of the Psalms that a huge emphasis is placed on the kingship of God.
The Apostle Peter makes a clear Bible echo to this Exodus 19 passage when he writes to the believers,
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)
The Greek word here translated “royal” is the Greek word basileios. This is adjective form of the word used in other passages for “kingdom” such as when Jesus says “thy Kingdom come.” What Peter is saying is that just like the children of Israel under Moses were “a kingdom of priests” with God as their King, the ecclesia is a kingdom of priests as well. We are God’s people. We are a kingdom of priests with our great King/Priest at the head.
Do we really understand and appreciate this fact or are we like the children of Israel who seem to have missed this vital point?
Have a great week,
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