What did it mean for Israel to be a kingdom of priests?
It meant Israel was to function as a go-between between the pagan world around them and Israel’s God. Every Jew was to be a prepared person serving in that priestly role, if the nation was obedient. God intended this particular people of value to reach the pagans, reflecting His sovereign purpose.
Les explains that God intended the little nation of Israel to be a particular people of value whom He could use to reach all the pagans. The role of a priest, as Les points out, is to be a go-between. So when God told Israel in Exodus 19 that they would be unto Him a kingdom of priests, every Jew was to be a prepared person to be a go-between some day between the pagan world around them and Israel’s God. This promise was connected to Israel’s obedience, and it rested on God’s sovereignty: He said they were a treasure unto Him above all people because all the earth is His, and He can do with it whatever He wants.
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
What was Israel's role as a kingdom of priests if they already had their own priesthood?
Israel's role as a kingdom of priests was not to mediate between themselves and God, since they already had their own priesthood. Rather, the nation was to function as a corporate go-between, representing God to the Gentiles and leading them to a knowledge of Israel's God. That prospect was God preparing them as a holy nation.
What role would every Jew have in Israel's national priesthood?
Every Jew would function as a priest in Israel’s national priesthood, serving as a go-between between the Gentiles and God. Rather than mediating for themselves, they would be positioned to lead Gentiles to a knowledge of Israel’s God, fulfilling the prospect of a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
More Questions
Who was Israel supposed to be a priestly go-between for — themselves or the Gentiles?
Israel's national priesthood was not meant to be a go-between between the Israelites and God, since they already had their own priesthood, but between the Gentiles and God.
What did God say the nation of Israel would be to Him?
God said the nation of Israel would be unto Him a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.