This week’s Hebrews passage continues the discussion about Aaronic priests under Mosaic Law and the eternal priesthood of Jesus. Unlike Jesus, the human priests were unable to continue in their office because they kept dying.
Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. —Heb 7:23–25 (NRSV)
Another drawback to the human priesthood that Aaron’s descendants embodied is that they were sinful creatures who needed atonement themselves before they could offer any sacrifices on behalf of the Israelites.
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. – Heb 7:26–28
That last line seems confusing though. If the promise given in the New Testament (the word of the oath) came after the Law given to Moses, how can it represent something from before it?
In biblical times, many religious leaders and philosophers believed that only the things that are eternal are perfect. Hebrews 7:17 restates God’s declaration through King David in Psalm 110 that he has the eternal characteristics that represent the priesthood like Melchizedek.
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” – Ps 110:4
David lived around 1000 BC, centuries after Moses. The author of Hebrews sets up his case for Jesus as our Great High Priest like a lawyer presenting evidence to a jury. And in law, old statutes are superseded by new ones. So, David’s pronouncement, coming after Mosaic Law, reinforces what was already indicated in the Genesis account of Melchizedek.
The Apostle Paul takes a different approach in Galatians 3, by affirming Jesus as the recipient of God’s promise to Abraham and the permanence of God’s word beyond the temporary application of Mosaic Law.
Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring; it does not say, “And to offsprings,” as of many; but it says, “And to your offspring,” that is, to one person, who is Christ. 17 My point is this: the law, which came four hundred thirty years later, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. – Gal 3:16–17
The eternal durability of God’s promise is emphasized by this week’s passage from Hebrews, as the author demonstrates that it is not a new teaching created after the resurrection of Christ, but rather a reminder of the promise made long before to Abraham, and attested to by King David, that the sacrifice made by Jesus on our behalf is the only one that has the power to absolve us of the penalty of our sins.
Salvation is of Christ alone.
Your Brother in Christ,
Fr. Austin