It helps to consider the word 'house' in I Peter 2:5 meaning something a bit different from the common definition. This has direct application to us under the New Covenant ( II Corinthians 5:20-21). We have things going in opposite directions here, yet both working to accomplish essentially the same thing, which is to bring man and God into a relationship with one another. The priest is indirect, while the prophet is direct.

The difference between a prophet and a priest is a matter of direction, in that one goes from God to man (the prophet), and the other goes from men to God (the priest). The prophets, by contrast, approached men as ambassadors of God, beseeching them to turn from their evil ways and live ( Ezekiel 33:11). Their function differed from that of priests in that the priest approached God by means of sacrifice on behalf of the people. It does not stop there, though, because they were also pastors and ministerial monitors of the peoples' conduct and attitudes. Through Moses, the function of a prophet begins to be established: to cry aloud and show men their sins ( Isaiah 58:1). A prophet is one who expresses the will of God in words and sometimes with signs given to confirm what is said. By combining Exodus 4:10-16 with Exodus 7:1-2, the biblical usage of a prophet has a good foundation. In this case, Moses was in the position of God to Aaron, as well as to Pharaoh. The prophet is a message carrier from one of greater authority. Related Topics: Priest, Responsibility ofĪaron was Moses' prophet, and Moses was God's prophet.

The priests