The Priests in Israel.

When God made the nation of Israel to reveal His righteous rulership to the other nations, they rebelled against Him. This then necessitated that God show Israel how to come to Him for national forgiveness.

God gave to Moses the detailed plan of a structure, the Tabernacle, that would have within it the means of forgiveness for the people. God then had Moses set up a priesthood in the tribe of Levi, to officiate in the ceremonies of the Tabernacle. The Levites were to assist the main priests who were of the family of Aaron, (Moses` brother).

`The Lord said to Moses…..”You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall attend to their priesthood;…` (Num. 3: 10)

The priests had to wear special garments, be consecrated, learn to attend to the holy things in the tabernacle and administer sacrifices and offerings on the altar. Then the Lord God would meet with the children of Israel and dwell among them.

There were many priests of the Aaronic family, however there was only one High Priest who held office at a time. Aaron the first High Priest was called of God, then clothed with special garments, and finally consecrated.

Once a year the High Priest was to go into the holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and meet with God. He was to take the blood of a young bull as a sin offering and sprinkle it on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant.

In the courtyard of the Tabernacle there was the brazen altar where the sacrifices were made. The High Priest would take the blood from the sacrifice and then enter the first tent, the holy place. Here there was the golden lampstand giving light and the 12 loaves of fresh bread signifying the 12 tribes of Israel.

The High Priest would then go to the golden altar of incense and take some of the incense and burning coals with the blood in a censor. He would then enter behind the veil into the Holy of Holies. Here was the ark of God`s covenant with Israel. It had the 10 commandments inside, the manna, and Aaron`s rod that budded, signifying God`s approval of his priesthood.

Finally, the High Priest would sprinkle the blood and the burning coals before God`s ark, and the incense would rise with the glory cloud of God`s acceptance.

`the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. `(Ex. 40: 34)