Hebrews 7

Hebrews 7  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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There are three characters of Christ's priesthood in the book of Hebrews: first, that of Aaron, because of our infirmities (Heb. 5:1-41For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. (Hebrews 5:1‑4)); second, Phinehas, because Christ has made atonement to a holy God, therefore He has an everlasting priesthood (Heb. 7:27,8:3; Num. 25:10-1310And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 11Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. 12Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: 13And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel. (Numbers 25:10‑13)); and third, that of Melchizedek, king and priest, King of peace (Heb. 7:1-31For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. (Hebrews 7:1‑3)).
It is through the Priest that we draw near unto God. This Priest, Christ, is after the order of Melchizedek and has no beginning nor end. His work for us is everlasting intercession.
He is Priest of the most high God-God's title as supreme over all, also His millennial name. In the millennial day Christ will be a Priest upon His throne. This is the earthly part.
For us He has an uninterrupted priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. As a Priest, He had no father or mother from whom He should receive His credentials.
Aaron was of the tribe of Levi. There had been no priesthood after the tribe of Judah, yet Christ came from Judah, not to pass His priesthood on to another, as did Aaron, but to be a Priest after the power of an endless life. Because there was a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change in the sacrifice and the covenant. The new covenant would be of the same character as the new order of priesthood.
Christ's priesthood was established by oath (Heb. 7:2121(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:) (Hebrews 7:21)); Aaron's was not. Such a High Priest became us, holy, harmless, and undefiled, separate from sinners, exalted above the heavens.
The priests under the law had the same infirmities as other men; Jesus (His eternal name) has a glorified priesthood according to the power of an endless life (Heb. 6:2020Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. (Hebrews 6:20)).