Isaiah 66:21 - Of them I will also select priests and Levites,” says Yahweh.
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What does "Isaiah 66:21" mean?
Isaiah 66:21 is a powerful statement about the inclusive nature of God's new covenant. Let's break down its meaning:
Context: This verse comes at the end of the Book of Isaiah, in a section describing a new creation and a renewed Jerusalem. This new Jerusalem is a place of peace, justice, and worship, where God's glory is fully revealed. This is a promise for the future, after a period of judgment.
"Of them..." The "them" refers to the Gentiles (non-Jewish nations) who have been gathered to Jerusalem in the preceding verses. God is not just restoring Israel; he is drawing people from all nations into his presence.
"...I will also select priests and Levites..." This is the key phrase. Traditionally, the priesthood and Levitical service were reserved for descendants of Aaron and the tribe of Levi, respectively, within the Israelite community. God is now saying that even among these Gentiles, He will choose some to serve as priests and Levites. This signifies a radical departure from the old order and a broadening of access to spiritual service.
"...says Yahweh." This emphasizes the divine authority and certainty of the promise.
Key Interpretations and Significance:
Inclusion of Gentiles: The verse is a strong affirmation of the inclusion of Gentiles in God's new covenant. It breaks down the barriers that separated Jews and Gentiles, suggesting that spiritual roles and responsibilities are no longer limited by ethnicity or lineage.
New Covenant: The promise aligns with the broader themes of the New Covenant prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-34), where God would write his law on people's hearts, and everyone would know him. This idea points toward a spiritual, rather than strictly physical, qualification for service.
Spiritual Priesthood: Many Christians interpret this verse as a foreshadowing of the concept of the "priesthood of all believers" in the New Testament (1 Peter 2:9). In this view, all Christians, regardless of their background, have direct access to God through Christ and are called to serve him.
Universal Worship: The verse anticipates a time when worship of God will be universal and accessible to all people. It suggests that the new temple (which can be seen metaphorically as the Church) will be filled with people from every nation serving God.
Breaking Down Barriers: God actively seeks to break down the barriers that separate people and invite them into a relationship with Himself. This verse is an excellent example of that.
In summary, Isaiah 66:21 proclaims that God's new covenant will be radically inclusive, drawing Gentiles into spiritual service and fulfilling the promise of universal worship and access to God. It foreshadows the New Testament concept of the priesthood of all believers and highlights God's desire to reconcile people from all nations to Himself.
Isaiah 66:21 - Of them I will also select priests and Levites,” says Yahweh.
What does "Isaiah 66:21" mean?
Isaiah 66:21 is a powerful statement about the inclusive nature of God's new covenant. Let's break down its meaning:
Context: This verse comes at the end of the Book of Isaiah, in a section describing a new creation and a renewed Jerusalem. This new Jerusalem is a place of peace, justice, and worship, where God's glory is fully revealed. This is a promise for the future, after a period of judgment.
"Of them..." The "them" refers to the Gentiles (non-Jewish nations) who have been gathered to Jerusalem in the preceding verses. God is not just restoring Israel; he is drawing people from all nations into his presence.
"...I will also select priests and Levites..." This is the key phrase. Traditionally, the priesthood and Levitical service were reserved for descendants of Aaron and the tribe of Levi, respectively, within the Israelite community. God is now saying that even among these Gentiles, He will choose some to serve as priests and Levites. This signifies a radical departure from the old order and a broadening of access to spiritual service.
"...says Yahweh." This emphasizes the divine authority and certainty of the promise.
Key Interpretations and Significance:
Inclusion of Gentiles: The verse is a strong affirmation of the inclusion of Gentiles in God's new covenant. It breaks down the barriers that separated Jews and Gentiles, suggesting that spiritual roles and responsibilities are no longer limited by ethnicity or lineage.
New Covenant: The promise aligns with the broader themes of the New Covenant prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-34), where God would write his law on people's hearts, and everyone would know him. This idea points toward a spiritual, rather than strictly physical, qualification for service.
Spiritual Priesthood: Many Christians interpret this verse as a foreshadowing of the concept of the "priesthood of all believers" in the New Testament (1 Peter 2:9). In this view, all Christians, regardless of their background, have direct access to God through Christ and are called to serve him.
Universal Worship: The verse anticipates a time when worship of God will be universal and accessible to all people. It suggests that the new temple (which can be seen metaphorically as the Church) will be filled with people from every nation serving God.
Breaking Down Barriers: God actively seeks to break down the barriers that separate people and invite them into a relationship with Himself. This verse is an excellent example of that.
In summary, Isaiah 66:21 proclaims that God's new covenant will be radically inclusive, drawing Gentiles into spiritual service and fulfilling the promise of universal worship and access to God. It foreshadows the New Testament concept of the priesthood of all believers and highlights God's desire to reconcile people from all nations to Himself.