JESUS Christ’s High Priesthood after the order of Melchisedec Heb. 7:1-10, FAR MORE EXCELLENT THAN Aaron’S PRIESTHOOD, 11-28
“For He of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar”. The apostle’s object here is to give further proof that the Levitical priesthood, and the entire law, has been set aside by God. The expression “attendance at the altar” signifies, “exercising priestly functions”. None belonging to any other tribe in Israel was suffered to officiate at the altar or minister in the holy place. So strictly was this institution observed, that when one of Israel’s kings dared to violate it, the judgment of God fell immediately upon him (2 Chron. 26:18–21). In smiting Uzziah with leprosy God maintained the sanctity of His law. When He did introduce a priest of another tribe then the priesthood of the old order must have been Divinely set aside. “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; Gen. 46:12; 49:10, Rut. 4:18–22, Matt. 1:3–16, Lk. 2:23–33; 3:33, Rom. 1:3; 2:3, Rev. 5:5; 22:16. of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood” (v. 14). “The Levitical priesthood was gone for good. Our Lord, according to His humanity, belonged to the tribe of Judah; of that tribe Moses revealed nothing concerning priesthood. All that was needed to complete the proof of his argument was that Christ was a Priest. First, it was “evident” that our Lord “sprang”—as the “Rod” out of Jesse’s stem—from Judah. This was included in the faith of believers that the Messiah was to come out of the royal tribe. Such prophecies as Gen. 49:8–10, 2Sam. 7:12, Is. 11:1–5, Mic. 5:2 had made that very plain. Second, about Judah Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood…Moses did specify that the priesthood should be exercised by those belonging to the tribe of Levi, but he nowhere intimated that a time would come when it should be transferred to the royal family. “And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest” (v. 15). He had been made “after the similitude of Melchizedek”, rendered this still more obvious. Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life” (v. 16). The Levitical priesthood was “carnal”, First, since the sacrifices offered at their consecration were the bodies of beasts. Second, because the priesthood was by fleshly propagation, from father to son. Third, since their ministration availed only to the “purifying of the flesh” Heb. 9:13. Who is made … after the power of an endless life”. His priestly office was by the appointment of His Father. He was “made priest”, according to “the power of an indissoluble life” Christ’s “indissoluble life” here has unquestionable…Upon that depends His own mediatorial life forever, and His conferring eternal life upon His people: Jn. 5:26, 27. It was only by the Mediator being made priest “after the power of an indissoluble life” that He was qualified to discharge that office, whereby God was to redeem His church with His own blood Acts 20:28.Thus, the contrast between Aaron and Christ is that of a mortal man and “The King eternal, immortal, invisible” 1Tim. 1:17.The “life” that was given to Christ as the Mediator (unlike that of His humanity) was an indestructible one. Therefore, He is “a Priest forever”, and therefore “He ever liveth to make intercession” (Heb. 7:25). Hallelujah Pink A. W.
