Chapters 28–31 focus our attention on the
Priest. In the Old Testament, Israel had a Priesthood.
In the New Testament, all saints are a Priesthood (1
Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6). There is no special order
of Priests on earth today recognized by God. Any
believer may come to God personally, through Jesus
Christ.

In chapter 29 we see the calling of the Priests.
We see in the ordination of the Priests a beautiful
picture of our own experience in Christ. They are, first
of all, chosen (verses 1-4a); they are cleansed (verses
1-4b); they are clothed (verses 5,6); and they are
anointed (verse 7).

The responsibilities of the Priests are given in
chapters 30 and 31. They were responsible for burning
the incense, which is symbolic of offering prayers to
God; they were responsible for collecting the shekels
from the Jewish people; they were responsible for
washing the laver. The laver symbolizes the cleansing
power of the Word of God for the believer as he walks
through this life. The Priests were also responsible for
supplying the oil and incense. God gave the recipes for
the anointing oil and holy incense, and He made it clear
that these products were not to be imitated in any way.
In chapter 30:9 God commands that no strange incense
shall be offered.

Among the Priests’ other duties were offering
the sacrifices, keeping the fire burning, and entering
within the veil. Today, because of the shed blood of
Jesus, these symbolic acts are done away with. Christ
has finished the work of redemption and is now seated at
the right hand of God the Father, ever making
intercession for His own. Christians today have the
privilege of coming into God’s holy presence at any
time, through Christ. The High Priest could go into The
Most Holy Place but once a year. What a privilege we
have, as Christians, because of the finished work of
Jesus Christ!