Under the Mosaic Law, priests served as essential mediators between God and the people of Israel. Their divinely appointed role was to bridge the gap between a holy God and a sinful nation, enabling Israel to maintain their covenant relationship with the Lord. The priesthood, established through the lineage of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi, was responsible for offering sacrifices, teaching the Law, interceding on behalf of the people, and maintaining the sanctity of the Tabernacle and Temple. Their work was indispensable for Israel’s spiritual well-being and provided a foreshadowing of the ultimate mediation that would later be fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This essay will explore the multifaceted roles of the priests under the Law of Moses, emphasizing their mediatorial function and its significance in God’s redemptive plan.
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The Concept of Mediation in the Old Testament
The necessity of mediation between God and humanity is rooted in the holiness of God and the sinfulness of mankind. Since Adam’s fall, sin created a separation between humanity and God (Isaiah 59:2). The Mosaic Law provided a temporary system by which this separation could be bridged, allowing God to dwell among His people through the establishment of the priesthood.
Priests were chosen and consecrated to serve as intercessors, ensuring that the people’s sins were covered through sacrificial atonement and that they remained in a right standing before God. Exodus 28:1 records God’s call to Aaron and his sons:
“Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests.”
This divine calling made the priesthood a sacred office, emphasizing that mediation could only occur according to God’s prescribed means. Any attempt to approach God outside of His designated order resulted in severe consequences, as demonstrated in the deaths of Nadab and Abihu when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord (Leviticus 10:1-3).
The Priest’s Role in Atonement and Sacrifices
Central to the priestly function was the offering of sacrifices for the atonement of sin. The entire sacrificial system was designed to deal with the problem of sin and impurity, enabling reconciliation with God. Leviticus 17:11 declares:
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”
As mediators, priests carried out various sacrifices, including:
- Burnt Offerings (Leviticus 1): A complete surrender to God, symbolizing total dedication and atonement for sin.
- Sin Offerings (Leviticus 4): Made to cover unintentional sins and restore the worshipper to fellowship with God.
- Guilt Offerings (Leviticus 5): Required for offenses against both God and neighbor, emphasizing restitution.
- Peace Offerings (Leviticus 3): Symbolized thanksgiving and fellowship between God and the offerer.
The priest, acting on behalf of the people, would lay his hands on the sacrificial animal, symbolically transferring the sin of the people onto it. This act highlighted the substitutionary nature of the sacrifice, pointing forward to the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who bore the sins of humanity on the cross (Hebrews 9:12-14).
On the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the High Priest alone would enter the Most Holy Place to sprinkle the blood of a sacrificed animal on the mercy seat (Leviticus 16). This solemn act of mediation reconciled the entire nation to God for another year, showing that true reconciliation required divine intercession.
Intercession: Standing in the Gap
Beyond offering sacrifices, priests were intercessors—those who stood in the gap between a sinful people and a righteous God. Their prayers and petitions sought God’s mercy and favor on behalf of the nation. Numbers 6:22-27 records the priestly blessing, which served as a declaration of God’s peace and presence upon His people:
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
The priestly role in intercession highlighted the people’s need for a representative who could approach God on their behalf. The High Priest, in particular, bore the weight of the entire nation’s spiritual well-being, carrying the names of the tribes of Israel on his breastplate (Exodus 28:29) as he ministered before the Lord.
The intercessory function of the priesthood emphasizes a profound spiritual truth: humanity cannot approach God without mediation. This truth was ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who now serves as our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 7:25).
Teaching the Law: Instructing in Righteousness
In addition to their sacrificial and intercessory duties, priests were responsible for teaching the Law to the people. Leviticus 10:11 states:
“You must teach the Israelites all the decrees the Lord has given them through Moses.”
As mediators of God’s truth, the priests:
- Explained God’s commands and ensured that the people understood their responsibilities.
- Taught the difference between clean and unclean, reinforcing God’s standards of holiness (Leviticus 11-15).
- Judged disputes and legal matters based on the Law (Deuteronomy 17:8-10).
- Led in corporate worship, guiding the nation in their covenant relationship with God.
Their teaching ministry ensured that the people remained aware of God’s expectations and how to maintain their standing within the covenant. The priests’ role as spiritual instructors reinforced their mediatorial function, helping to reconcile the people to God through obedience and worship.
Maintaining Purity and Holiness
Another critical aspect of the priestly mediatorial role was ensuring the purity of the people and the sanctuary. God’s holiness required that everything related to His worship be set apart and free from contamination. Priests were responsible for:
- Examining individuals for skin diseases such as leprosy (Leviticus 13-14).
- Overseeing purification rituals after childbirth, illness, or exposure to death (Leviticus 12).
- Guarding the sanctuary to prevent unauthorized access (Numbers 3:10).
By maintaining the purity of worship, priests upheld the covenant’s requirements and facilitated ongoing fellowship between God and His people.
Symbolism and the Foreshadowing of Christ
The priesthood under the Mosaic Law served as a shadow of things to come, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ, the perfect High Priest. Hebrews 4:14-16 declares:
“Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.”
Unlike the Levitical priests, who needed to offer repeated sacrifices, Christ offered Himself once for all, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:26-28). The temporary priestly system pointed forward to the greater reality of Christ’s atonement, intercession, and teaching, which perfectly reconcile sinners to God.
Lessons for Believers Today
The priestly mediatorial role carries significant spiritual lessons for believers today:
- The Need for a Mediator: Just as Israel could not approach God without a priest, humanity today can only approach God through Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5).
- Sacrificial Living: Believers are called to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1).
- Intercessory Prayer: As part of the priesthood of all believers, Christians are called to intercede for others, reflecting Christ’s ongoing ministry (1 Peter 2:9).
- Holiness and Purity: Just as priests maintained purity, believers are to pursue holiness in their daily lives, reflecting God’s character (2 Corinthians 7:1).
Conclusion
Under the Mosaic Law, the priesthood served as the essential link between a holy God and a sinful people. Through sacrifices, intercession, teaching, and maintaining purity, the priests facilitated Israel’s relationship with God, ensuring that the covenant remained intact. Ultimately, their role pointed to the perfect mediation of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled their duties once and for all. Today, believers can draw near to God with confidence, knowing that Christ has provided the ultimate and eternal atonement.
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
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