Hebrews 7:16-20

 

Heb 7:16 (KJB)

Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

 

Here the writer enforces the idea that the priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ is one of eternal nature. He compares the fact that the earthly priests, the Levitical priesthood, were determined by their lineage. When a priest died, they were replaced by their descendants as the service of the temple never went outside the tribe of Levi. The priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ is eternal and since He will never die, the office of High Priest is not handed down to someone else. Christ will be the High Priest of the believers for eternity.

 

Heb 7:17 (KJB)

For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

 

(Psa 110:4 KJV) The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The Lord God Himself has testified and sworn that the Lord Jesus Christ is going to be an eternal priest after the order of Melchisedec. His Word has settled the issue and no more proof is needed.

 

Heb 7:18 (KJB)

For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

 

A disannulling - Nullification or abolition

 

The law which was practiced by the Levitical priests was abolished because of its weakness. There was no way the law could save anyone and the priesthood was made up of humans which eventually died. This is why it is called the “commandment going before” which is reference to the law under the Mosaic system. The priests were unable to effect any type of salvation into the lives of those who brought sacrifices. They could only make an atonement for the sins but it could not be effectual for salvation. This is why the law had to be done away with calling it unprofitable.

 

Heb 7:19 (KJB)

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

 

Here is a comparison between the law and grace. The law could make no one perfect enough for Heaven but only the new covenant effected by the Lord Jesus Christ could offer a better hope and this better hope allows us to draw closer to God. When a person becomes saved, the enmity between them and God has been abolished. (Rom 5:1 KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: We have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ and not the keeping of the law.

 

Heb 7:20 (KJB)

And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

 

Remember back in Hebrews 6:13 we read that God swore by an oath. (Heb 6:13 KJV) For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, He could swear by no one higher so He swore by Himself. This verse also refers to Psalm 110:4. (Psa 110:4 KJV) The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The Scripture in Psalm 110:4 states that God will not repent of that decision which means it is firm and set forever. The Lord Jesus Christ will be the eternal High Priest of the true believers.

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