Why is the priesthood important in the Old Testament?

In the Old Testament, the Levitical priesthood was crucial for the spiritual life of Israel, as they performed sacrifices and offered prayers on behalf of the people. Their role as mediators, as seen in Leviticus and the accounts of Uzziah and David's attempts to bypass the priestly order (2 Chronicles 26:16-21), demonstrates the seriousness of adhering to God's ordained means for worship. The priesthood symbolized the necessity of mediation in approaching God, a concept that finds its fulfillment in Christ, our great high priest, who offers Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.