Where Are the Priests?

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Hosea 4:6 (KJV)

Priest – Where are the priests today? One might argue that there are no priests because we’re under a new covenant and there is no longer a temple. Another might argue that the priests of today are the ministers in our churches. Some one also might claim that we are all priests according to 1 Peter 2:9 (a royal priesthood and holy nation).

So one argument claims they are all gone. The second argument claims there are only a few. And the third holds that we are all priests. Three completely different perspectives. But before we jump to conclusions, let’s explore what a priest, and this word, actually means.

First we’ll notice that kahan is a verb, not a noun. So what YHWH is declaring through Hosea is that these people will not serve in a priestly office – and if they do, they surely won’t be recognized by God. But why? It’s because they’ve rejected knowledge and forgotten the law. These people are no longer searching daily in God’s word for the truth, but rather relying upon vain traditions and politics instead of enacting the will of God.

You see, the primary purpose of a priest, if you’re going to have one, or be one yourself, is this: to teach the law of God.

And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.

Leviticus 10:11

For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 2:7

So now with definition in place, where are the priests today? Who among you is teaching the law of God?

Are your priests (ministers/pastors) allowing pagan practices inside your congregation? Maybe some colored eggs and/or bread with yeast during Passover, maybe a Christmas tree during Christmas, or even false spiritual works within the congregation. Are they placing religious traditions above the commandments of God? Or are they teaching in opposition to pagan practices, and upholding His law?

This is how one might recognize a priest. Just because they may have the proper educational background, or have been anointed in the past to that position doesn’t make them a priest forever as we learned from Hosea. That priest, whether anointed or elected or placed, is NOT a priest of God if they do not teach the law and seek His knowledge.

Remember, Yeshua is our perfect example. He taught the law in truth, and lived it as our example of holiness. This is why He is our High Priest. But the High Priest had other priests below him. Are you one of them? Are you a part of that “royal priesthood”? Are you a messenger of the Lord of hosts? You’ll know it if you’re fulfilling the obligation of that title.