יּקנרק'ד

Hebrews Chapter 7  Verses 11-19

:11 “If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”         

“If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?”  If sinless perfection could have come by the Levitical priesthood and through the keeping of the law, then there was no need for another priest to rise after the order of Melchisidec.  However, perfection does not come by the keeping of a set of rules or by the multitude of animal sacrifices offered by the high priest after the order of Aaron.  Those Jews seeking to bring the disciples back under the law were seeking to bring them back under a set of dead works.  A lesson for us Gentiles today is that perfection is not by keeping a set of rules or by the actions of the flesh to somehow get right with God.  Rather, perfection comes from him who was made a high priest after the order of Melchisedec, Jesus Christ.          

“For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”  The Law of Moses given to the children of Israel from God and delivered unto them by Moses never made man perfect.  It never did away with a single sin.  It brought sin to remembrance and showed the people the need of a perfect sacrifice and a perfect offering to God.  As will be developed later in the book of Hebrews, animal sacrifices were not sufficient to satisfy God’s wrath because of the sins of the elect.  It took something far better to satisfy God’s wrathful judgment.         

“For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.  For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.”  Under the law given to the children of Israel, the kings came out of the tribe of Judah and the priest came out of the tribe of Levi.  Under the Law of Moses a king could not be a priest and a priest could not be a king.  Yet, there arose one who is both a King and a High Priest.  This priesthood is not by the law of Moses, but after the promise of God that one would arise after the order of Melchisedec.           

“And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.  For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”  It took someone completely outside the law of a carnal commandment to satisfy the wrath of God because of sin.  Man under the law was completely unable to do away with sin.  All who operated under the law of Moses were under the law of sin and death and thus unable to bring about sinless perfection.  Christ came not under the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.  He came as a High Priest after the order of Melchisidec in order to offer the perfect sacrifice of himself so as to bring about righteousness and peace for God’s people.           

“For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”  When that which is perfect had come, there was no need for that which is weak and unprofitable.  When Christ came after the power of an endless life and offer the perfect sacrifice of himself as a High Priest after the order of Melchisidec, he fulfilled the wrathful judgment of sin against the elect family of God and justified them before a just and holy God.  We have this better hope because of the perfect work of Jesus Christ and the everlasting covenant promise of God.  Thus, the law of commandments contained in ordinances was disannulled. It is through this better hope that we are able to draw nigh unto God, knowing that we have a High Priest after the order of Melchisidec who ever liveth and maketh intercession for us. 

Verses 20-22

:20 “And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.” 

In similar fashion as in the previous chapter when Paul showed the impossibility of God’s promise of eternal life to the elect to fail by speaking of two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie.  Those two things were God’s counsel (covenant) and his oath, Paul now shows the absolute assurance of the execution of the covenant by the two immutable things assuring us of the certainty of the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ.  First, there was the declaration of God saying: “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.  Secondly, there was the oath of God whereby he swore to the declaration.  By these two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie we have the assurance of the perfect unfailing high priest who is after the power of an endless life who will completely fulfill the covenant promises of God.  For this cause Jesus was made a surety of a better testament.  The old testament could not do away with sin, but only brought sin to remembrance.  The better testament based upon better promises and brought to fruition by a far better High Priest after the order of Melchisedec assures us that this is an everlasting testament that will be perfectly fulfilled.