Topical Bible: Priest: Duties of Responsible for the Sanctuary

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In the biblical context, priests held a sacred and pivotal role within the religious life of Israel, particularly in their responsibilities concerning the sanctuary. The sanctuary, often referred to as the Tabernacle in the wilderness and later the Temple in Jerusalem, was the central place of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. The duties of the priests in relation to the sanctuary were numerous and detailed, as outlined in various passages of Scripture.

1. Maintenance of the Sanctuary

The priests were charged with the upkeep and maintenance of the sanctuary. This included ensuring that all the sacred objects and furnishings were in proper condition and that the sanctuary itself was kept clean and holy. In Numbers 18:5 , it is stated, "You are to perform the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar, so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again." This highlights the importance of their role in maintaining the sanctity of the place where God dwelled.

2. Offering Sacrifices

One of the primary duties of the priests was to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. These sacrifices were central to the worship and atonement practices of Israel. Leviticus 1-7 provides detailed instructions on the various types of offerings, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. The priests acted as mediators between God and the people, presenting these offerings to atone for sin and to express worship and thanksgiving.

3. Burning Incense

The priests were also responsible for burning incense on the altar of incense, which was located in the Holy Place of the sanctuary. This act symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to God. Exodus 30:7-8 instructs, "And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps. When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn the incense perpetually before the LORD for the generations to come."

4. Tending the Lampstand

The priests were tasked with ensuring that the lampstand, or menorah, was continually lit. This involved trimming the wicks and replenishing the oil. The perpetual light symbolized God's eternal presence and guidance. In Leviticus 24:2-4 , the command is given: "Command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually. Outside the veil of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening until morning continually."

5. Teaching the Law

In addition to their ritual duties, priests were responsible for teaching the Law to the people. They served as instructors in the statutes and commandments of God, ensuring that the community understood and adhered to the covenant. Malachi 2:7 states, "For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts."

6. Judging Disputes

Priests also played a role in judging disputes and providing guidance in legal matters. Deuteronomy 17:8-9 outlines this responsibility: "If a case is too difficult for you to judge—whether bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults—take it to the place the LORD your God will choose. Go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you the verdict."

7. Guarding the Sanctuary

The priests, along with the Levites, were charged with guarding the sanctuary to prevent unauthorized access. This was crucial to maintaining the holiness of the sacred space. Numbers 3:10 commands, "You are to appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; anyone else who approaches the sanctuary must be put to death."

The duties of the priests concerning the sanctuary were comprehensive and vital to the spiritual life of Israel. Their service ensured that the sanctuary remained a holy place where God could dwell among His people, and where the people could approach God in worship and repentance.

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Numbers 4:5-15
And when the camp sets forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering veil, and cover the ark of testimony with it:
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Numbers 18:1,5,7
And the LORD said to Aaron, You and your sons and your father's house with you shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and you and your sons with you shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.
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Library

Guests at an Imperial Banquet
... him into the incessant, onerous, and intensely responsible duties of his ... Like priest,
like people.'. ... widow Pentadia only saved herself by flying into sanctuary. ...
/.../chapter xix guests at an.htm

Anxieties and Troubles, Friends and Foes
... Social duties lay on Chrysostom with a heavier weight than ... Moreover, the High Priest
only wore his robes for half ... He told her that she was responsible to God ...
/.../chapter xxi anxieties and troubles.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... indicate that humanitarian considerations are responsible for Sabbath ... The Babylonian
priest retained certain parts for ... The duties of these angels are manifold. ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

The General Conference of 1804, and of the Annual Conferences of ...
... labor for a few weeks, the parish priest took the ... and sometimes alone, discharging
his responsible duties with marked ... in the balance of the sanctuary, and when ...
/.../chapter 6 the general conference.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... 7You see, brothers, rivalry and envy are responsible for fratricide. ... 5The high priest
is given his particular duties: the priests are assigned their ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

A New Order of Priests and Levites
... offering them to God; or they had other duties of a ... for God to the people; "For the
priest's lips should ... are merged in the wrongs for which he is responsible. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/a new order of priests.htm

The Waldenses
... of his companion, who was held responsible for his ... and a revelation of the
responsibilities and duties of the ... the guidance of pope and priest, multitudes were ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 4 the waldenses.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The presence of a descendant of Moses as a priest in this local sanctuary probably
offended the religious scruples of a copyist, who substituted Manasseh for ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Waldenses.
... of his companion, who was held responsible for his ... and a revelation of the
responsibilities and duties of the ... with rejoicing, "Christ is my priest; His blood ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /4 the waldenses.htm

Causes of the Reformation
... States to permit them to fulfil the duties of their ... In his later years he was ordained
priest and held ... interests of the Church, and held them responsible in a ...
/.../chapter i causes of the.htm