God created and used Prophets, Priests, and Kings in distinct ways throughout the Old Testament of Scripture. It is important to have an understanding of these offices to understand what’s going on in the Bible, and to see how their types and shadows are fulfilled in the New Testament Church. Many descriptions of these offices are described in the book of 1 Samuel (1 Kings LXX). All three offices were fulfilled in the incarnation of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3). The following is a short introduction to each office, but it is by no means a summation of all the acts thereof in the Scriptures.
Prophet
A Prophet was used by God to minister to His people according to Stephen J. Lennox in his book God’s Story Revealed.1 God, through His prophet, cared for the needy and the foreigners.2 Prophets were to to talk to God for the people (1 Sam. 8:21). Prophets were to give the people a king (1 Sam. 8:21), and anoint kings (1 Sam. 12:1, 15:1, 16:13). A prophet was to pray for the people (1 Sam. 12:19, 12:23). A prophet was also to make sacrifices to the Lord (1 Sam. 16:2).
Priest
A priest was to make sacrifices to the Lord on behalf of the people (1 Sam. 1:4, 12:12-17). Priests enacted dedications of children to the Lord (1 Sam. 1:28). Priests were to burn incense on the altar to God and wear an ephod (1 Sam. 2:28). Priests were to minister before God (1 Sam. 2:30). Priests were also allowed to a portion of the offerings made by the people (1 Sam. 2:28).
King
Kings were given to the people when they asked for one even though they did so in a sinful manner because they wanted to be like surrounding nations. Kings were to be responsible for preserving the covenant Israel had with God.3 A king was to obey God and keep His decrees, laws, and statutes. He was to represent the people and be the figure head of the nation, yet still under God, who was the ultimate figure head of Israel. A king was also a military leader for the people of Israel (1 Sam. 13:14).
Table
| Prophet | Priest | King |
| Minister to the Israelites on behalf of God. Speak to God on behalf of the people. Anoint kings who will lead the nation of Israel. Pray for the people of Israel. Make sacrifices to the Lord. | Make sacrifices to the Lord on behalf of the people. Dedicate children to the Lord. Burn incense on the altar and wear an ephod. Minister before God. | Responsible for preserving the covenant with God. Obey God and keep all His laws and decrees. Military leader of the people of Israel. Political figure head of Israel. |
References
- Lennox, S. J. (2009). God’s Story Revealed. Indianapolis: Wesleyan Publishing House. pg. 161
- Id. pg. 162
- Id. pg. 157
Check out other articles
Christians & Astrology
I would guess that many people reading this, whether they know what it means or not, know their astrological sign. Have you checked your daily horoscope yet? Do you know your partner’s sign, or if you’re single do you know with which sign you’re most compatible? To some these questions seem silly, but to others…
The Church & COVID-19
Jesus taught us that where two or more are gathered in His name, He is there with them (Matt.18:20). Now that we cannot gather in groups of ten or more, we feel how much we’ve taken that promise for granted. God is with us in our private worship, but may we never again take for…
Suffering for the Lord
Many of us in the Western Church are willing to believe in the Lord, but not suffer for the Lord just as the Israelites when Moses was sent to free them from their bondage at the command of God. This applies to us in two ways. One, we cannot face the secular world due to…