Blessings Through the Law Covenant

Were the promises in the Law covenant fulfilled toward Israel?  Did Israel become "a holy nation"? As descendants of Adam, the Israelites were sinners.  (Romans 5:12) Still, under the Law, sacrifices were offered to cover their sins. Regarding the sacrifices offered on the annual Atonement Day, Jehovah said:  "On this day atonement will be made for you to pronounce you clean. You will be clean from all your sins before Jehovah." (Leviticus 16:30) When faithful, therefore, Israel was a holy nation, cleansed for Jehovah's service. But this clean condition depended on their obeying the Law and continually offering sacrifices.

 Did Israel become "a kingdom of priests"? Right from the start, it was a kingdom, with Jehovah as heavenly King. (Isaiah 33;22) Further, the Law covenant included provisions for a human kingship, so that later Jehovah was represented by kings ruling in Jerusalem.  (Deuteronomy 17:14-18) But was Israel a kingdom of priests?  Well, it had a priesthood rendering sacred service  at the tabernacle.  The tabernacle (later, the temple)  was the center of pure worship for Israelites and also for non-Israelites. And the nation was the sole channel of revealed truth to mankind.  (2 Chronicles 6:32, 33; Romans 3:1, 2)  All faithful Israelites, just just Levitical priests , were Jehovah's "witnesses." Israel was Jehovah's "servant," formed to 'recount his praise.' (Isaiah 43:10, 21) Many humble foreigners saw Jehovah's power in behalf of his people and were attracted to pure worship. They became proselytes.  (Joshua 2:9-13) But only one tribe actually served as anointed priests.

Next time: Proselytes in Israel

From the Watchtower magazine, 1998