Have you ever used 3 in 1 Oil? Well, many have for a myriad of purposes. A Mr. George Cole invented 3-in-1 Oil in 1984 with a threefold purpose: to clean, to lubricate, and to protect. The title of my recent study relates to our Savior who has fulfilled three functions in one person, this is, the person of Jesus, the Christ. Our Lord and Savior is indeed all to all. The Prophet, the Priest, and the King.
Let us take a look at each function of the Old Testament (“O. T.”) personage. A prophet, by definition, is a spokesperson but more importantly is one who communicates a divine message. The Hebrew word is nevi’im. The Talmud recognizes forty-eight male prophets and seven female prophets. Other sources claim sixty-three O. T. prophets (source: azbible.com). There are other Hebrew words that relate to prophet or prophesy (dabar, nabi) but also relate to one who is called or one who calls. Some have attempted to categorize prophets before and after the kingly period in Israel. Many of the early prophets gave significant military or judicial leadership (Moses, Samuel). (Source: Eerdman’s Bible Dictionary) After the monarchy period with Saul as Israel’s first king, prophets also gave advice in order to keep the faith alive among Israel that YHWH was the true and only God, especially in challenging times. And in some cases, they were faced with opposition!
Moses, a great prophet of the LORD, writes in his book Deuteronomy, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me (Moses) from among your own brothers.” (Deuteronomy 18:15)
The Hebrew Bible only includes those books in the Jewish TaNaKh which is an acronym for the three portions of the Hebrew Bible: Torah, Prophets, and the Writings. The Hebrew Bible only lists twenty-four books in its Bible: Torah (5); Prophets (8), and Writings (11).
The function of the prophet in the O. T. is threefold: spokesman for God; to prophesy; and healings/miracles. O. T. prophets were not always revered but also were killed for their message. This messenger of old was also truly fulfilled in the Prophet, Jesus.
I refer back to Moses’ prophesy in his Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 18:15). Jesus said, “Only in His hometown, among his relatives and his own house, is a prophet without honor.” (Mark 6:4) More to follow as Jesus fulfilled His function as “The Prophet.”
The concept of the priesthood dates back to antiquity. Prior to Moses, every head of a family could offer sacrifices to God. (source: myocn.net/priesthood) Noah, for example, offered a sacrifice after the flood in gratitude to God for his survival. (Gen 8:20) The institution of the priesthood was established in Moses’ time that set the tribe of Levi as responsible of performing religious functions for the people of Israel. Moses’ brother Aaron was the first high priest (Numbers 17) and his descendants continued to serve. These priests approached God as intermediaries between God and His people. They offered sacrifices (sin, guilt, others) to purify God’s chosen people.
The early priests were also obligated to pray for the forgiveness of the sins of the people. Also, they were to instruct the children of the commandments of God and finally, concerned with the health of the people. Sound familiar to Jesus? The greatest reference to our LORD is through Melchizedek, the priest-king. Melchizedek has no beginning and no end. This priest-king was prior to the Moses priesthood and is a foretaste of The Priest to come.
While Moses ordained the priesthood of God and ordained it through his brother Aaron, Jesus, the Christ, received His priesthood from God, His Father. Therefore, He was superior to Aaron!
The chief priest in the O. T. was to enter the Holy of Holies once annually for the sins the people. The chief priest function was to present the sin offering for himself and the congregation.
Now, comes the final person of The Christ – The King. Depending on your location, you may or may not like the king concept. Many in the United States have memories of the King of England in colonial days of America. Their distaste was due in part to usurious taxation over their lives. God’s people – Israel – lived for many years without a king. In fact, during the period of Gideon, the Judge, he said, “The LORD will rule.” This statement suggests that an earthly king would replace The King! But during the time of the last judge, Samuel, the LORD gave Israel what it wanted. But God indeed chose the rulers-to-be. The Old Testament (“O. T.”) history books remind us that it was the LORD who chose Saul, Israel’s first king, David its second and Solomon its third.
In Genesis 49:1ff, we are told of Jacob’s blessing of his sons. In verse ten, Jacob says, “The scepter will not depart from Judah…” Yes, the King of Israel would come from Judah’s line (fourth son of Jacob). God indeed kept reminding His people that the Messiah is the King of Israel. Jeremiah in his book says, “A righteous branch from David . . .a King who will reign wisely . . . the LORD our righteousness.” (23:5) Micah foretells that this Messiah (the King) will come out of Bethlehem – yes, whose origin is of old and from ancient times. (5:2) Finally, the prophet Zechariah says, “rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! See your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation . . .” (9:9)
Matthew, the gospel writer, does not waste time in tying together the O. T. to the time of the Messiah. He begins with the lineage of the Savior dating back through David and eventually back to Abraham, the father of us all. Matthew continues in his theme of Jesus, the King by telling us of the Magi’s visit from the east (Gentile lands) who are seeking the King of the Jews. Continuing throughout Matthew, he refers to Jesus as the King – including His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and Pilate’s question, “Are you King of the Jews?”
In Luke’s gospel, the first chapter reminds us that the angel Gabriel appears to the virgin Mary. In Gabriel’s announcement, he said, “The LORD God will give Him the throne of His father, David.” (1:32)
John’s gospel also continues in our LORD’s kingship. John 1:49 tells of Nathaniel’s statement of faith, “You are the Son of God, You are the King of Israel.” John’s listing of the entry into Jerusalem includes not only a quote from the Psalms, but also uniquely says, “Blessed is the King of Israel.” (12:13)
The people of Israel were expecting a king like days of old in the time of David and Solomon. He came not to overthrow the Roman government, rather He came to rule over the hearts and minds of His people – and that includes you and me. God’s kingdom is not of this world! The apostle Paul reminds us in his epistle to the Philippians, that we are citizens of heaven, and we eagerly await His second coming to take us to be with Him into eternity. (3:20ff)
As one source puts it, “The most important thing to notice is that a kingdom exists because Jesus is the King. He is the Messiah, the Savior promised by God in the Old Testament. He is not only Israel’s King but the international Christ for all the nations.” (Source: https://bible.org/notde/10982)
May this loving and Almighty God, remind you and me that He, and He alone, is all-in-all. Yes, He is the Prophet, the Priest, and the King.
Let me conclude with one of my favorite Easter hymns: Jesus Christ is Risen Today
But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!
(LSB 457, verse three)
Peace
Connected in Him, I stand
GHR
