Called to be Priests of the LORD: Embracing Our Divine Identity
"But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves." - Isaiah 61:6
Isaiah 61:6 proclaims, "But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves." This verse speaks powerfully to our identity as believers and the calling we have as followers of Christ. It is a reminder that we are more than just passive observers in God’s plan; we are active participants, ordained for His purposes, and appointed as His representatives on Earth.
In the Old Testament, priests held a unique position between God and the people. They were mediators who facilitated the relationship between God and His creation through sacrifices, prayer, and intercession. When God instituted the priesthood, He chose a specific lineage, the Levites, to bear this sacred responsibility. They were set apart, called to a high and holy service, and tasked to reflect God's character and holiness.
Fast forward to the time of Christ, where we see the ultimate High Priest in Jesus Himself. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He completed the work required for our reconciliation with God. Now, through faith in Him, we are invited into this royal priesthood, as articulated in 1 Peter 2:9, which states, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
Isaiah 61:6 affirms this royal status by declaring that we shall be called the Priests of the LORD. This is not just a title but a profound responsibility and privilege. As priests, we are called to minister to those around us, carrying the light of Christ into places of darkness and despair. We are equipped to intercede for others, standing in the gap for those who may not yet know Him.
Moreover, the obligation does not stop at intercession. We are also called to serve, to love, and to share the message of grace and hope. The role of a minister is to embody the life of Christ, actively demonstrating love in action. In doing so, we mirror the heart of God, which beats for all people—regardless of their background, status, or past. This compelling truth is beautifully summarized by the fact that we shall eat the riches of the Gentiles and boast in their glory. It signifies a radical inclusion where God's people bring His resources and power into every aspect of life.
To "eat the riches of the Gentiles" suggests a profound spiritual abundance that comes from being in relationship with God and His creation. This abundance isn't limited to material wealth but extends into blessings of love, joy, and peace that we can share with others. As we partake in the richness of God's relationship, we also gain an appreciation for the diversity of His creation. We learn to understand, appreciate, and celebrate the various ways He works in different cultures and contexts.
In a world that often seeks division and separation, this identity as priests challenges us to build bridges rather than walls. It invites us to revel in our shared humanity and to cultivate a collective worship that encompasses diverse expressions of faith and tradition. It encourages us to boast not in ourselves but in the beauty of what God is doing through His people.
As we delve deeper into our roles as priests of the LORD, let us reflect on our unique calling and ministry in the everyday world around us. Let us embrace the wealth of God's love with gratitude, never taking for granted the great privilege it is to serve as a minister of God. May we be bold in our actions and words, shining brightly as representatives of the Kingdom, ever eager to share the richness we have received, inviting others into the grace we have known. In our humble service, let us carry the glory of God with us, testifying of His goodness and grace to all who will listen.
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Isaiah 61:6 - "But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves."
"But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves." - Isaiah 61:6
Isiah 61:1-3 Isaiah 61:1-3
Isaiah 61:2 - "To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;"
Isaiah 61:5 - "And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers."
Psalms 61:6 - "Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations."
Isaiah 61:8 - "For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them."
Isaiah 61:4 - "¶ And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations."
Jesus said, ‘Does this upset you?’ (Jn 6:61)
Isaiah 61:9 - "And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed."
John 6:61 - "When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?"
Isaiah 61:11 - "For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations."
"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." - Isaiah 61:3
"For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them." - Isaiah 61:8
Isaiah 61:7 - "¶ For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them."
Isaiah 61:3, beauty from ashes. Jesus hand holding ashes but put of the ashes rises something beautiful
"To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;" - Isaiah 61:2
"Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations." - Psalms 61:6
Isaiah 61:3 - "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified."
"And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers." - Isaiah 61:5
Isaiah 61:10 - "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."
1 Chronicles 6:61 - "And unto the sons of Kohath, which were left of the family of that tribe, were cities given out of the half tribe, namely, out of the half tribe of Manasseh, by lot, ten cities."
Isaiah 61:1 - "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;"
"¶ And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations." - Isaiah 61:4
Isaiah 61:611 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
"When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?" - John 6:61
Isaiah 61:611 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
isaiah 6:6
Isaiah 61:2-3 - "to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."
Isaiah 61:1-2 - "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn."