#22 Hebrews 7:11-19
The Prediction of a New Priesthood

Now we are involved in a section proving from the old testament that Jesus Christ is fully qualified to be the great High Priest of our faith.

We have seen from chapter 5 on that Christ is a priest after the Order of Melchisedek. Last time we examined the man Melchisedek and his superiority over the Levitical priesthood in that he isn’t recorded as dying. They die and he received tithes from Levi through Abraham.

Now the Holy Spirit moves on in his evidence for the superior priesthood by going to the Jewish Scriptures to show that even before Christ ever came, his high priesthood was predicted.

Psalm 110: 4 definitely implies that the new priesthood was coming and it was NOT from Aaron’s line. It was also seen as everlasting. And that is what we will see today as we continue in 7:11-19

The prediction of a new and better priesthood.

1. In 11-14 we will see the Imperfect Levitical Priesthood

2. And in 15-19 The Perfection of The New Priesthood.

1. In 11-14 we will see the Imperfect Levitical Priesthood

In these 4 verses the writer shows that the Aaronic priesthood never superceded the earlier priesthood of Melchisedek. In a time when the priesthood of Aaron was well and truly established we see the word of God hailing the Messiah of David’s line as a priest forever after the order of Melchisedek. The argument is this: The Aaronic priesthood did not complete the mediating functions between man and God. In fact God never intended it to be so. If God had intended Levitical / Aaronic priesthood to be the permanent one, why should he predict and prepare another one not of that line but of Melchisedek?

You see, God knew that the Aaronic priesthood was only designed for a certain age NOT for the present age of Grace. What was needed was a perfect priesthood and the Aaronic or Levitical one was imperfect.

It was adequate enough for God’s purposes under the Law, but not designed for nor competent to serve the age of fulfillment n Jesus Christ.

To bring about the ideal relationship between God and man a new and better priesthood was needed. So he needs to point out that the Levitical system was NOT perfect. Ie salvation, forgiveness of sin as verse 11 amply points out.

But if there is a change in priesthood it involves a change in the Law. The change that he speaks of refers to the Law concerning he priesthood.

In exodus 28 we see the priesthood inaugurated. God chose Aaron and his sons to be priests. In Numbers 17 & 18 we see God choosing Aaron’s tribe, Levi to be “joined unto thee to minister…” And in Num 18:8 And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.

The Aaronic Priesthood or Levitical priesthood was ordained in the Law. It was brought about by “ordinance” or “Law”. So to change the priesthood you had to change the Law. The Law said “Tribe of Levi”, but notice verse 13-4 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 Judah; of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

From Judah came Kings. Genesis 49:10, Jacob says the Scepter shall not depart form Judah until Shiloh Come, Kings but not priests.

So to change the priesthood you must change the law. Christ DID change that law! Paul said in Gal. 3:14 “The Law was a Schoolmaster bringing us to Christ.” But now that faith has come, we are no longer needful of the tutor.

The law was the means of promoting man’s awareness of sin and not a means to provide their justification. And when Christ came he changed the priesthood AND the law. (That does not excuse us from obeying God’s moral law)

An aside here…9 of the ten commandments are , given to us in the New Testament Only one God: 1 Thess. 1: 9-10 Paul says every one of you are saved because you turned from serving idols to serve the living and true God. The new covenant deals with only one God and it is expected of us.

Graven images are forbidden. 1 Cor. 8:4 and 1 John 5:21

Taking the name of God in Vain, (or in a empty way) James 5:12.

Honor for your parents Eph. 6:1

Murder 1 John 3:15

Adultery: 1 Cor, 6:9-10 plus many other places (today’s world is ignoring this to their own demise)

Stealing: Eph. 4:28

False witness: Eph. 4:25, Col. 3:9

Covetousness: Eph. 5:3

Now the Sabbath is also mentioned, but in the context that Christ has fulfilled it, We are entered into his rest. In Fact Col. 2:16 says “Let no man judge you. Romans 14 says no special day, (all belong to Jesus) HOWEVER, Hebrews does enjoin us to not stop meeting together for building up and encouraging.

Listen! Just because the law is changed doesn’t give us license to sin. We are NOT under the law, but we are under grace. The requirements under Grace are much more weighty because they involve not just actions, but the attitudes of your heart.

But let’s not lose our main point here. That is the prediction in the Old Testament of a new priesthood.

We have seen that the Levitical priesthood was imperfect, incomplete, so anew one was needed. In verses 15-19 we will se THE PERFECTION OF THE NEW PRIESTHOOD

v:15. I is more evident, going back to the thought of verse 11, that “a new priesthood is coming.” A further token of the superiority of this new priesthood comes from the Old Testament text: “Thou art a priest forever.” No Aaronic priest lived forever, but my dear friends, our great High Priest is immortal, having died once and risen from the dead he carries out his ministry on our behalf in the power of a life that can never be destroyed. So He alone can honestly say “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU.” (

Notice here that the law is called a carnal or fleshly commandment. It is a system of earthbound rules. It is concerning he externals of religion, the physical descent of priests, a material altar and animal sacrifices. All of which are like the Aaronic priesthood, Transient! But the new system is endless and therefore superior and the law that it brought forth is superior to the earthly law of Moses because it is the “perfect law of Liberty” referred to in James.

The Mosaic law made nothing perfect. But note this: The bringing of a better hope did.

Now there is hope of eternal forgiveness, not bound up in a day to day sacrifice, but based on the one final superior sacrifice of our one exalted savior and High Priest. Because of this hope we can draw to God. The Gospel, good news. Of Jesus death burial and resurrection has opened up a way of free access to God and therefore has achieved the perfection that the law never could.

What is our relationship to the law because of Jesus?

Galatians 3. Paul wrote to the Galatians:

Because of the superior priesthood of Jesus, Because of the superior sacrifice of Jesus, Because of the sinlessness of Jesus Christ, we can be justified, that means saved from God’s wrath forever. And it is by FAITH alone not bound under law. We are free, under liberty, the perfect law of Liberty. We now have a built in desire to please God.

I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.

SO you see that by keeping of Moses law no one is made right with God. Neither is there justification by keeping the new law. But if The Holy Spirit of God is in you, you are justified by grace through faith that same Spirit will work in you and your life will produce buds, then blossoms and finally a fruit pleasing to God.

SO what? The new High priest has done wonders for us . And he desperately wants to do good and mighty things through us as well.