John N N Ng’ang’a Meditation of 4th November 2024, Hebrews 7 difference between the old and the new priesthood
Day 1
Hebrews 7
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
The book of Hebrews talks extensively about priesthood. It is important to keep reminding ourselves that all Christians are priests of the new order. This is because we have the responsibility, like the Old Testament priests, of talking to God about man and talking to man about God.
However, unlike the Old Testament priests, we do not have the role of sacrificing for the forgiveness of anyone’s sins. Since we are all priests, we are called to be each other's keepers and to help one another.
In Hebrews chapter 7, we see a detailed discussion about the different levels of priesthood, for example, the priesthood of Melchizedek, and what a standard it sets. The book of Hebrews frequently mentions Melchizedek. In Hebrews 7:1, it says:
"This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means ‘king of righteousness;’ then also, ‘king of Salem’ means ‘king of peace.’ Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest forever."
Then, see what verse 4 says:
"Just think how great he was: even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! Now the law requires the descendants of Levi, who become priests, to collect a tenth from the people — that is, their brothers — even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. And without doubt, the lesser person is blessed by the greater. In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die, but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor."
We learn several things about Melchizedek. Are we to compare ourselves to him? Although we are priests, we are also kings in God’s kingdom. We must realize that if our priesthood is established by Jesus, who does not die, then it surpasses the priesthood of Abraham or the Levites. We also need to understand that if this is the order of priesthood we have, it is perpetual, unlike the Levitical priesthood, where priests served from the age of 30 to 50.
The priesthood in the order of Melchizedek is eternal. Therefore, Jesus has a different priesthood from the Levitical one. Jesus is not from the tribe of Levi, so He cannot qualify to be a priest in that order, as emphasized by the book of Hebrews. Thus, while we are priests, we should base our priesthood not on the Levitical order, but on the order of Melchizedek.
The reason this priesthood is much higher and different from the Levitical one is demonstrated in verses 4 to 10. Melchizedek received a gift from Abraham and blessed him. Surely Levi, Abraham’s descendant, could not bless Abraham, because only the greater can bless the lesser. This shows that Melchizedek’s priesthood holds a much higher level of authority.
Indeed, a priest is to receive a tithe, but it is important to note that Abraham regarded Melchizedek as much higher than himself. One of the clues that the priesthood of Melchizedek is of such a high order is that Abraham, the holder of the promise, tithed to him, acknowledging that Melchizedek was greater.
Day 2
Hebrews 7
4 Just think how great he was: E: even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
I do not think people should receive tithes from fellow Israelites or mortal people. Melchizedek received tithes directly from Abraham himself. What we are saying is that the Levites were recipients of tithes but, in turn, gave a tithe to King Melchizedek through Abraham. This demonstrates how high Melchizedek’s status is. How did the Levites give a tithe? Since their ancestor gave a tithe, it means they were also of a lesser level. It is important to remind ourselves of this.
Let us be clear: our priesthood is not to be compared with the Levitical one; we operate at a different, higher level. That is why the emphasis in Hebrews 7 is that Jesus does not have the priesthood of the order of the Levites.
In verse 11, we read:
"If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood, why was there still a need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?"
What we are learning is that the Levitical priesthood had its time and role, but it was not adequate. A new priesthood was needed in the new covenant, one of a much higher level. This is why Jesus comes at a level not of the Levitical priesthood, but of Melchizedek. Again, Paul, the likely writer of Hebrews, argues that if the Aaronic priesthood was sufficient and attained whatever holiness was intended, then there would have been no need for Jesus to come as a priest.
Verse 12 confirms this difference:
"For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law. He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe, Moses said nothing about priests."
That is very interesting! This is one of the things that makes it strange when some pastors call themselves similar priests. They need to understand they cannot go to the Old Testament to copy what it means to be a priest. They need to recognize that the order established by Jesus does not follow the rules of the Levitical priesthood regarding what to give and what is required of them. We do not follow those rules. The regulations in Leviticus, the book of priests, detailing how they were to perform their duties, are not applicable to us. This is because we have a new style of priesthood, which has established new rules.
That is why you can become a priest without being a Jew or from the family of Levi; all you need is to put your trust in the one who is the initiator of the new priesthood, Jesus Christ himself. That is very important to note.
Day 3
Hebrews 7
11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical Priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that Priesthood—why was there still need for another Priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the Priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about Priests
Verse 14 says,
"For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah."
So, we need to be very clear in our minds that the law has changed. If the Mosaic law were perfect, as we have just stated, the priests would not have changed. But we know the truth: the Levitical priesthood did not produce the perfection of holiness that was required.
Let us look at verse 14 again:
"For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah."
This presents a powerful argument on biblical authority! Here we are talking about Jesus. The one we are speaking of, Jesus, does not fulfill the role of a priest, as he belongs to another tribe that, according to those rules, could not have had priests. So, we are clear that he became a priest following a different set of rules.
Let us be clear: God’s command is authoritative; it is both prohibitive and permissive.
God is the one who initiated his Son to become the new priest. He is the one who has given us new rules, and these new rules establish a new type of priesthood.
Look at verse 15:
"And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life."
His priesthood is a more enduring priesthood. Now that we know it is not the old one, he is not fulfilling the legal requirement of bodily descent; instead, he is fulfilling the new one by giving the power of an indestructible life. It is not an appointment followed by disappointment; it is an appointment that will last and cannot be destroyed.
Verse 17 says,
"For it is declared: 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'"
Psalm 110:4 states this.
So, the old commandment is set aside in hope of a better hope.
These are new regulations and new rules that are now in operation. I think what the writer of Hebrews wants us to understand is that the New Testament have fulfilled the Old Testament. We must still believe in the Old Testament, but through the light and interpretation of the new. Although we still read Leviticus to understand the rules of the old covenant, it is meant to help us understand our role as priests, but we do not follow those rules. The old rules have been set aside because what we have is better.
Day 4
Hebrews 7
15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:
“You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”[a]
18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
Let us look at verse 18:
"The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless."
Here, you had to sacrifice continuously: you sacrificed for yourself and, in addition, for the people coming to you for forgiveness. The former regulation was hard because it was weak and useless; it was not able to cleanse sin forever. If you were cleansed yesterday, you still had to be cleansed today. But the blood of Christ is of a different nature; you are forgiven forever.
Verse 19 says:
"The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God."
So, the new covenant and the new priesthood allow us to be close to God directly. This means we do not have to go through priests; we can go directly to God ourselves, each individual Christian. How can you want to go back to the older covenant when this is so much higher?
Verse 20 says:
"And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: 'The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever.'"
This represents a commitment from the Father, who installs this new priesthood with an oath. It is crucial to understand that this new priesthood, led by Jesus Christ, is different. Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. Because of this new priesthood, we have a new covenant with new rules, and it is a better covenant. Christ is the one who initiated it; he is the Guarantor and ensures that we enjoy this new priesthood.
This new arrangement only requires Christ, who is sufficient as a priest because he endures forever; he will not die. Look at verse 23:
"Now there have been many of those priests since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood."
We do not have to keep looking for another priest; he is there forever. You can see how much higher this new priesthood is, for there is no death of Christ the priest. That is why he can pass it on to us. Unlike the Levitical priesthood, he can save because he is always interceding for us.
Isn’t that what verse 25 is saying? This new high priest that we have does not rely on the Levitical ones. Verse 25 says,
"Therefore, he is able to save completely."
Not like those priests, where you are forgiven today and in trouble again tomorrow. He can save completely, or forever, those who come to God through him. So, if you come to God and are born again by committing yourself to this new priesthood, then you are saved forever, not for a while. Your sins are forgiven forever. Those who come to God through him are saved completely because he always lives to intercede for them.
With a priest who has a permanent role of interceding for those who put their trust in him, it leads to a happy, contented life. So, let us be clear: this priest, who is Christ, is not only appointed by the Father; he does not die, but he is there for eternity. It must be understood that he is perfect, unlike the Old Testament priests.
Look at verse 26:
"Such a high priest meets our need, one who is number one: holy; number two: blameless; number three: pure; number four: set apart from sinners; number five: exalted above the heavens."
Can you see that he is not like the Old Testament priests at all, who had their own sins to deal with? This high priest can meet all your needs because he does not have needs of his own. He is holy, he is blameless, and you can even use the word pure for him, as he is set apart from sinners; he cannot sin.
Day 5
Hebrews 7
20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind: ‘’You are a priest forever.
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely[c] those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Verse 27 says:
"Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself at Calvary."
That is the new concept we need to understand. So, when we go to God through Christ, we are approaching one who is holy, sanctified, set apart, and one who is innocent. That is why we learn that he is undefiled, blameless, and without any guilt. This is Christ, even as we come to him.
In the Old Testament, you would go to a priest who was himself a sinner, who might get annoyed with you for not doing the right things, yet you still had to go to him! But now, when you go to Christ, you are approaching one who is undefiled, innocent, and not stained by sin. The Bible tells us that he was tempted in every way, just as we are, yet he never sinned. So, when he died on the cross, it had nothing to do with his own sins; he was simply dying for us. That is our new priest. It means he is not among sinners; he is separated from them. He does not live among them; he lives in heaven. He is glorious. This is something we need to be clear about as we worship him.
We must also thank God for understanding that he is not one of us. He is not a church priest; he is not the pope; he is exalted above the heavens. This is very important to grasp, as we are dealing with one in the heavens, not someone with limitations. Of course, we can discuss initiating sacrifices, but the point is that for him, he died once, and that was enough. Thus, he is both the priest and the sacrifice, for he offered himself as a sacrifice, but it was an event that happened only once.
Day 6
Hebrews 7
26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.
And, of course, we learned earlier that the priesthood of Jesus was appointed by God with an oath. That is how he became a priest. My prayer is that we will understand that as we go to God, we are approaching Christ as our priest, and if he is our priest, he is the mediator between us and the Father.
The key point that needs to be made very clear is that a pastor, a bishop, or a reverend is not a priest, because we already have one Priest: Christ. We are all sub-priests according to Peter, who says we are a royal priesthood. We do not derive our priesthood from the Levitical system; rather, it is through our trust in this perfect sacrifice and Priest. When we do that, we are assured of God’s forgiveness and help.
Hebrews 7:28 says,
“For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.”
Here, the emphasis is still the same. We should never assume that because someone is a pastor, they have not sinned or cannot sin. We must understand that the only one who cannot sin, did not sin, and would not sin is Christ Jesus, which is why we cannot continue to follow the Levitical system. It has been superseded by the priesthood that comes in Christ.
Hebrews 7 is a comparison between the priesthood following the Levitical system and the priesthood that comes through Jesus Christ, encompassing both sacrifice and priests. You can see the vast difference between the two as you reflect on them. We also learned that this is not entirely new in the sense that Abraham had met this higher-level figure, the King of Salem, who had no beginning or end: Melchizedek. It took us time to understand who this person is, but the point is that he is used to illustrate the kind of priesthood that Christ has. It is a different kind of priesthood compared to what the old Levitical priests had in mind.
Another important point is that priests receive tithes because of the job they do, but no, no, no! Your pastor is not a priest. Christ is the Priest, and you do not give gifts to your pastor because he is a priest so that he can intervene and secure blessings from God. No! You support God’s work by supporting your pastor, but the blessings come directly from God above, because Christ remains the Priest, although now we are learning he is in the order of Melchizedek.
Day 7
Hebrews 7
27 Unlike the other high Priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high Priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever
We also learned that this new priesthood, like that of Melchizedek, comes from Christ, who has no beginning. In fact, verse 6 states, “This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi.”
Therefore, we cannot speak of a time when he achieved anything based on lineage or ancestry. Everything Christ has, he achieved on his own.
The Levitical priesthood helped, but it could not bring perfection. It needed to be replaced with a better covenant, one that allows us to be completely forgiven and at peace with God. This is what the book of Hebrews teaches us happened after Christ came. It is essential for us to be aware of this transformation. Of course, the emphasis here is that Jesus did not force himself to become a priest; he was appointed. The declaration in the Bible states, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
It is important to understand that this priesthood lasts forever and has no limits. Therefore, we can approach God anytime—day or night—without concern for office hours. Unlike earthly priests, who have specific times they are available, Christ is eternal and is always ready to help us in our walk with him. We can enjoy whatever he has for us at any time and in any place.
Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant, allowing us to enjoy all that God has to offer because it is guaranteed by Christ, who has established this new covenant. May we truly appreciate this priesthood. Whatever challenges you face in life, turn to your high priest, knowing that he will remember you and help you in your situation.
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