A priest, in the biblical sense of the word, is someone who intercedes on behalf of someone else before God.
Not all priests were official priests. Take Job for instance.
Job probably lived during the time of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Job was probably the first written book of the Bible.
Melchizedek was out there at this time too, and is referred to as a priest, so he seems to be the first official priestly office holder (Genesis 14:18).
But Job made sacrifices for his kids and interceded for them in case they cursed God in their hearts (Job 1:5).
There is no explanation of this behavior, no mention as to whether it “worked.” But it is mentioned in part as proof of the uprightness of Job. It certainly wasn’t a bad thing.
That role is similar to what a priest does.
Perhaps fathers were the first priests. Any good dad will petition God on behalf of his kids. Good dads are aware of their children’s sins and weaknesses, the areas of life they will have trouble in.
I have prayed many, many times for my children. I did this when they were little when they had no real notion of God or prayer. They aren’t living in conscious awareness of God, and I know it needs to occur, so I did it for them.
When they were and are older, I pray for them because I know they are out there on their own doing who knows what. I don’t really know their heart. I know they are in a young part of life where they get busy and might not be thinking about God or prioritizing life in light of Him as well as they could. So I pray for them.
My kids do not need me as a mediator between them and God. Christ is the one mediator. I’m not saying I’m actually their priest, I’m saying that the father role is priest-like!
I don’t know if any of my prayers for my kids have made an actual difference. I don’t know if God is more merciful to them on account of my prayers for them.
I guess I don’t really care, in one sense. It’s a natural outflow of loving my kids. I do know that things are working out ok for me and them, and part of that has to at least be on account of my loving concern for their spiritual health. I can’t imagine things would be better if I hadn’t done all that on their behalf.
The priest knew more about God and saw more about God than the children of Israel did. They knew, or were supposed to know, more and were to take their increased knowledge of God, plus their responsibility as leaders of the people, seriously and intercede.
Parents do the same thing. They know more than their kids. They know more of God and the spiritual needs of their kids if they are paying attention. How can a parent not intercede on behalf of their kids?
One way is if the parents are spiritually dead themselves and simply not concerned for spiritual things. Another way is when parents get their kids saved by forcing them in so many ways to “say the prayer.” Once they “get them saved,” they cease worrying about the eternal state of their children.
This is not good parenting or priesting.
Parents have a critical role in the spiritual health of their children. Kids reflect their parents. There are always exceptions to the rule, but they are pretty rare.
Be spiritually concerned for your kids, no matter how old they are or whether or not you think they are saved. It’s sort of the job of being a parent. This is especially true if you are a pastor. The Apostle Paul says if you’re not a good father you shouldn’t be a pastor (1 Timothy 3:4-5). I imagine this means something.
In all your concern for the spiritual health of people in your church, start with the people in your family.
Failing Pastor 