The Lord Jesus Christ has made us kings and priests unto God (Revelation 5:10).

Therefore, a father should endeavor to become the priest of his family. Below are six qualities of a priest that all fathers should possess.

Six qualities of a priest

1. Sanctification

Before the priests could carry out their functions they must first be sanctified. One of the duties of the priests was to carry the Ark of the Covenant and lead the people into victory.

To lead the family effectively, fathers must first be sanctified by the Lord Jesus Christ.

 And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the Ark of the Covenant and cross over before the people.” So they took up the Ark of the Covenant and went before the people. (Joshua 3:5)

    2. Be a living sacrifice.

A priest should always make sacrifices for his family.

He has to first sacrifice his fleshly desires by denying ungodliness and renewing his mind with the Word of God.

I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

    3. Always wear the garment of praise

As a priest, you will need to put on the garment of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness.

To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3)

   4. A priest should always be sober

The priests were not allowed to drink intoxicating drink because they had to be sober to distinguish between the holy and unholy, and between the clean and unclean things.

They were required to teach the people the commandments of the Lord.

A father who is addicted to drugs and alcohol is unable to lead his family effectively.

A drunken man is unstable in his thoughts and will make foolish decisions.

 Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying: “Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean, and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them by the hand of Moses.” (Leviticus 10:8-11)

   5. The gift of service

The priesthood is a gift from God to service. As the priest of your household, you must serve your wife and family willingly and sincerely.

Therefore, you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything at the altar and behind the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood to you as a gift for service, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.” (Numbers 18:7)

  6.  Live an exemplary life

A father should be an example and lead his family into success.

Benefits of being the priest of the family

The benefits of being a priest of God are double honor, double blessings, and joy.

But you shall be named the priests of the Lord, they shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory, you shall boast. Instead of your shame, you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion, they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore, in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs. (Isaiah 61:6-7)

Happy Father’s Day!