Kings and Priests: The Order Yeshua Restored

The Messianic Torah Observer | Melchizedek Series, Part 13

Host: Rod Thomas · Recording date stated in the script: November 13, 2026

Episode overview

What does it mean to be called kings and priests—and who heads the order in which we serve? In this installment, Rod explores the royal-priestly calling of Yehovah’s covenant people and presents Yeshua Messiah as the King and High Priest at the head of the order of Melchizedek. The discussion moves from Avraham’s encounter with Melchizedek to Israel’s calling at Sinai, the golden calf breach, the Levitical arrangement, and the renewed covenant.

The teaching’s central emphasis is that royal priesthood is not merely a future title or an abstract doctrine. It is a present calling to covenant faithfulness, obedience, intercession, set-apart living, and responsible service under Yeshua. The episode closes with encouragement for difficult seasons and four practical applications for the week.

The three central arguments

1. Not replaced: Rod argues that the Melchizedekian order was not displaced by the Levitical arrangement.
2. Earlier than Levi: Avraham’s encounter with Melchizedek precedes the lineage-based Levitical order.
3. A combined royal and priestly office: The episode argues that a single priestly office cannot contain the dual king-priest calling embodied in Melchizedek and fulfilled in Yeshua.

Opening context and guiding question

Part 13 continues the previous installment’s discussion of four Messianic offices fulfilled in Yeshua: Mashiyach ben David, Mashiyach ben Ya’achov, the Nagid or Prince, and Mashiyach the Priest. Rod turns from those converging offices to the identity and responsibilities of those who serve under Messiah.

The script places the recording on Preparation Day, the second day of the ninth biblical month according to the observational calendar Rod follows, corresponding in the script to Friday, November 13, 2026.

Question to carry through the episode: If we are called “kings and priests,” what order are we under, and who heads that order?

Teaching notes by section

1. A changed priesthood—not the removal of all Torah

Rod opens by urging Messianic listeners to give attention to the royal priesthood operating under Yeshua rather than remaining focused exclusively on the Levitical arrangement. Hebrews 7:12 introduces the distinction between a change in priesthood and the claim that all Torah has been abolished.

In Rod’s reading, the changed instruction concerns who serves as priest and how that priestly service is ordered. He returns to this interpretation later in the episode and connects it with Jeremiah’s promise of the Father’s instruction written on His people’s hearts.

Scripture: Hebrews 7:12. Translation named in the script: Andrew Gabriel Roth’s Aramaic English New Testament.

2. The original design: a kingdom of priests

Exodus 19:5–6 supplies the teaching’s starting point: Israel is called to belong to Yehovah as a treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. Rod emphasizes that this calling precedes the completed Tabernacle and the operation of the Levitical priesthood.

The Hebrew expressions discussed are mamlechet kohanim, “kingdom of priests,” and goy kadosh, a holy or set-apart nation. The episode highlights royal and priestly language appearing together.

Two recurring themes: covenant and obedience. Rod stresses the condition in the passage: listening to the Father’s voice and keeping His covenant. He presents this calling as a mandate rather than simply a privilege.

Scripture: Exodus 19:5–6; 1 Corinthians 2:9, drawing on Isaiah 64:4. Translation named for Exodus: Lexham English Bible.

3. Avraham’s Melchizedek: the pattern before Levi

Genesis 14:18–20 introduces Melchizedek as king of Salem and priest of El Elyon. Following Avram’s return from battle, Melchizedek brings bread and wine, blesses him, and receives a tithe.

Rod develops a connection between that bread-and-wine encounter and Yeshua’s covenant meal with His disciples. The script presents this as a foreshadowing and draws attention to the combined royal and priestly role.

Hebrews 7:2 supplies the titles King of Righteousness and King of Peace. Psalm 110:1, 4 then extends the pattern: David’s Lord sits at Yehovah’s right hand and is declared a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Scripture: Genesis 14:18–20; Hebrews 7:2; Psalm 110:1, 4. The script also quotes Yeshua’s bread-and-cup words at the Last Supper without supplying a full passage reference there.

4. The covenant breach and the Levitical arrangement

The episode distinguishes the selection of Aharon and his sons in Exodus 28–31 from the later whole-tribe arrangement involving Levi. In Exodus 32, the golden calf marks a breach of covenant, and the sons of Levi rally to Moshe when he calls for those on Yehovah’s side.

Numbers 3 and Numbers 8 describe the Levites being taken in place of Israel’s firstborn. Rod references Jewish tradition connecting the firstborn’s loss of priestly responsibility with the golden calf incident; that traditional explanation is distinguished here from the wording of the cited Numbers passages.

Aharon’s involvement in the golden calf and the later budding of his rod lead Rod to emphasize divine selection and Yehovah’s sovereignty. King Uzziah’s attempt to burn incense provides the episode’s warning against crossing the boundaries of the Levitical priestly office.

Scripture: Exodus 28–31; Exodus 32:26–29; Numbers 3:12–13; Numbers 8:16–18; Numbers 17; 2 Chronicles 26:16–21.

5. Preceded, not replaced

Rod gathers the three central arguments: Melchizedek’s order was not replaced; it existed before Levi; and its royal-priestly character cannot be reduced to the Levitical priestly office.

Hebrews 7:9–10 describes Levi paying tithes through Avraham. Rod uses that reasoning to explain the episode’s contrast between the earlier and later orders. Hebrews 7:11–17 then asks why another priest would need to arise if completion had come through the Levitical priesthood.

Yeshua’s origin in Judah and His priesthood after the power of an endless life are central to the discussion. Zechariah’s Branch passage brings throne and priestly service together in the episode’s reading of Messiah.

Scripture: Hebrews 7:9–17; Zechariah 6:12–13. Term discussed: teleiosis, presented in the script as completion. The script names the Lexham English Bible for Zechariah 6:12.

6. Yeshua: King-Priest at the head of the order

Jeremiah 31:31–33 anchors the renewed-covenant discussion. Rod emphasizes the promise that Yehovah’s instruction will be written within His people and on their hearts. Hebrews 8’s use of that passage reinforces the connection he draws between covenant renewal and priesthood.

Hebrews 5 and 6 identify Yeshua as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. Revelation 1 connects Yeshua’s royal authority with the calling of His people as kings and priests.

For Rod, serving under Yeshua entails responsibility: believers work for Him and under Him. The episode previews a fuller examination of the renewed covenant in the next installment.

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31–33; Hebrews 8:8–10; Hebrews 5:5–10; Hebrews 6:20; Revelation 1:5–6; Hebrews 7:12. Jeremiah is quoted as KJV modified in the script.

7. A royal priesthood today

Rod places 1 Peter 2:9 beside Exodus 19:6 to connect the kingdom-of-priests calling at Sinai with the identity of believers in Messiah. First Peter 2:5 adds the calling to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable through Yeshua.

Revelation 5:10 and 20:6 extend the discussion into future reign and priestly service. The episode nevertheless emphasizes present responsibility, not only future expectation.

Four expressions of priestly service:

• Intercession: pray for family, congregation, and nation.
• Teaching Torah: preserve and communicate knowledge of the Father’s instruction; the script draws on Malachi 2:7.
• Set-apart living and spiritual offerings: present oneself as a living sacrifice and offer praise continually, drawing on Romans 12:1 and Hebrews 13:15.
• Representing the King: walk with royal responsibility rather than claiming royal privilege alone.

Rod concludes this section by returning to obedience and keeping covenant as the requirements emphasized in his understanding of the Melchizedekian royal-priestly calling.

Scripture: Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 20:6; Malachi 2:7; Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15.

Eight encouragements for hard times

1. Your identity does not depend on your circumstances. The script points to Peter’s scattered and suffering readers to emphasize that the royal-priesthood calling is not limited to people living at ease. References: 1 Peter 1:1, 6; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Peter 4:12.
2. Your High Priest understands. Yeshua’s identification with human weakness grounds the invitation to approach the throne of grace for mercy and help. Reference: Hebrews 4, especially verse 16.
3. He is interceding for you. The episode connects the power of an endless life with Yeshua’s continuing intercession. References: Hebrews 7:16, 25.
4. Melchizedek met Avram after the battle. Rod applies the bread, wine, and blessing as a picture of Messiah’s refreshing care after His people’s struggles. Reference: Genesis 14:18–20.
5. Your hope is anchored behind the veil. The script’s storm-and-anchor picture emphasizes the security of hope where Yeshua has entered as High Priest. References: Hebrews 6:19–20.
6. The King of Peace reigns while the nations rage. Rod directs attention from unsettled circumstances to Messiah’s throne and an unshakable kingdom. References: Psalm 110; Hebrews 12:28; the King of Peace theme discussed from Hebrews 7:2.
7. Priests serve even while they hurt. Comfort received from the Father becomes comfort offered to others. Prayer and encouragement are ways to pass that blessing forward. Reference: 2 Corinthians 1:4.
8. The covenant holds when you feel weak. The episode emphasizes the Father’s faithfulness rather than the strength of one’s emotions and closes this encouragement with strength in weakness. References: Jeremiah 31’s heart-written instruction theme; 2 Corinthians 12:10.

Four take-homes for this week

1. Come to the throne of grace every day. Cultivate the mindset of a priest with access rather than a stranger. Rod connects this with praying without ceasing in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
2. Choose one person and pray for that person daily this week. Make intercession a specific, sustained expression of priestly service.
3. Acknowledge your identity aloud when fear rises. Affirm your place in the royal priesthood and the reign of your King.
4. Keep Shabbat and Torah rhythms as anchors. Remain faithful in everyday obedience when surrounding circumstances feel unsettled.

Scripture reference guide

Grouped for follow-up study; references reproduce passages named or discussed in the script rather than adding a separate biblical argument.

Original calling, Melchizedek, and priestly boundaries

• Genesis 14:18–20: Melchizedek, Avram, bread and wine, blessing, and the tithe.
• Exodus 19:5–6: covenant conditions and the kingdom-of-priests calling.
• Exodus 28–31: selection and instruction concerning Aharon and his sons.
• Exodus 32, especially verses 26–29: golden calf breach and Levi’s response to Moshe.
• Numbers 3:12–13; 8:16–18: Levites taken in place of the firstborn.
• Numbers 17: Aharon’s budding rod.
• 2 Chronicles 26:16–21: Uzziah’s attempt to burn incense.
• Psalm 110:1, 4: the enthroned Lord and priest forever after Melchizedek’s order.
• Zechariah 6:12–13: the Branch, temple building, throne, and priestly role.

Yeshua’s priesthood and the renewed covenant

• Jeremiah 31:31–33: covenant renewal and instruction written on the heart.
• Hebrews 4, especially verse 16: the sympathetic High Priest and access to grace.
• Hebrews 5:5–10: Yeshua’s high-priestly calling.
• Hebrews 6:19–20: anchored hope and Yeshua’s entrance as High Priest.
• Hebrews 7:2: King of Righteousness and King of Peace.
• Hebrews 7:9–10: Levi’s tithe through Avraham.
• Hebrews 7:11–17, especially verses 12 and 16: another priest, changed priestly instruction, and an endless life.
• Hebrews 7:25: continuing intercession.
• Hebrews 8:8–10: the covenant promise quoted from Jeremiah.

Royal identity, service, and encouragement

• 1 Peter 2:5, 9: spiritual sacrifices and a royal priesthood.
• Revelation 1:5–6; 5:10; 20:6: kings, priests, and reigning with Messiah.
• Malachi 2:7: priestly knowledge and teaching.
• Romans 12:1: a living sacrifice.
• Hebrews 13:15: continual praise.
• 1 Peter 1:1, 6; 4:12: scattered believers and trials.
• Hebrews 12:28: an unshakable kingdom.
• 2 Corinthians 1:4: comfort received and shared.
• 2 Corinthians 12:10: strength in weakness.
• 1 Corinthians 2:9; Isaiah 64:4: what the Father has prepared for those who love Him, as connected in the script.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17: praying without ceasing.

Questions for personal reflection or fellowship discussion

The following prompts are companion questions developed from the episode’s themes, not additional statements from the script.

1. How does the phrase “kingdom of priests” shape your understanding of covenant responsibility?
2. What is the distinction Rod makes between a change in priesthood and the abolition of Torah?
3. How does Yeshua’s combined King-Priest role affect the way you approach prayer and service?
4. Which of the four expressions of priestly service needs more deliberate attention in your daily life?
5. Which of the eight encouragements most directly addresses your present circumstances?
6. Who will you pray for each day this week, and how will you make that commitment consistent?

Closing, acknowledgment, and next installment

The closing returns to the opening question: the episode identifies the order of Melchizedek as the royal priesthood in which covenant believers serve, with Yeshua HaMashiyach as King and High Priest. Rod’s final invitation is to walk in that identity today.

Acknowledgment: Rod honors Messianic Torah teacher and friend Robert Bills of Covenant Torah Path, author of The Melchizedek Perspective, as a source of inspiration for preparing this teaching.

Coming next: a closer examination of the renewed covenant and its relationship to the Melchizedekian royal-priestly order.

Connect and support: The script invites listeners to support The Messianic Torah Observer through prayer and financial gifts, follow the ministry on Telegram, X, and Facebook, and visit its home base at themessianictorahobserver.org. Specific social handles and donation destinations are not supplied in the script.

Closing blessing: Shabbat shalom and shavua tov.