A Nation of Priest

Finished this week’s Torah reading - Yisro - And I am suddenly reminded as to why I feel the need to learn from my Jewish brothers.

In Exodus 19:5-6,8 - G-d gives a proposal to Israel:  “And now, IF you hearken well to Me & observe My covenant, you shall be to Me the most beloved treasure of all peoples… You shall be to Me a kingdom of ministers & a holy nation.”

—> The word minister is usually translated to priest, the Hebrew word הכהנים in the context of this verse means an entire nation is to be dedicated to leading the world toward the teaching, understanding & acceptance of G-d’s commandments. [Artscroll Stone’s Edition Tanach commentary]

Israel’s response to G-d’s proposal, is that they accept His proposal and the burden to teach the nations G-d’s law: “The entire people responded TOGETHER [in unison] and said “Everything that Hashem has spoken WE shall do.”

—> Did the church replace this call and take the place of Israel as a nation of priest, carrying forth the teachings, understanding & acceptance of G-d’s law? 

—> In the last days we will see Jewish leadership restored & the church will honor & accept that it Israel’s fulfilled role to be a light unto the nations (Isa. 60:3) and that the church did not replace Israel.  Israel is G-d’s most beloved people and therefore  the Christian will say, “Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.” (Zach. 8:23)