Free Bible Commentary
“Hebrews 7:11-17”
Categories: Hebrews“Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. For it is attested of Him, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’”
---End of Scripture verses---
The Hebrew writer really hones in on Psalm 110 in order to prove to his readers that Jesus, His priesthood and His new covenant are superior to anything that has ever existed previously between God and man. Psalm 110 is a clear prophetic declaration that the Messiah would reign as King (Psalm 110:2) and mediate as High Priest (Psalm 110:4) simultaneously. The same Psalm says expressly that His priesthood would be according to the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4) and not that of Aaron and Levi from which no king could arise. So, from their own cherished Scriptures the Hebrews were taught that God’s priesthood and law (verse 12) would be superseded and replaced by something much better, and that was realized in His Son Jesus when He ascended to the right hand of the throne on high.
It had to be particularly offensive for a Jewish convert to hear that the Law of Moses was “weak” and “useless” (comparatively speaking) and that it “made nothing perfect” (verse 18). But the Hebrew writer goes to great pains to teach his brethren that the Law itself was only temporary and preparatory in nature by design, and pointed the way to Jesus who would serve as our perpetual High Priest by “the power of an indestructible life” (verse 16). Jesus did not meet the “physical requirement” to serve as priest under the Law of Moses, but the efficacy of the Levitical priesthood was imperfect because all those priests died (along with other reasons). But Jesus serves as “priest forever” because of His eternal life and absolute power over life and death.
“Moses spoke nothing concerning priests” descending from the tribe of Judah (verse 14). This statement speaks volumes about the power (authority) of the silence of Holy Scripture. Since God specified that priests under that covenant must be selected from the men of the tribe of Levi, all He had to say was nothing in order to prohibit men from the other eleven tribes from aspiring to the office of priest. God’s silence is the absence of His authority and approval for a belief or practice, and it actually constitutes a prohibition.
To justify worshiping God in a way that He has not commanded or implied by saying that “the Bible doesn’t say we can’t” is to circumvent God’s authority and even defy His will. When God specifies a command such as “singing” in worship (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), and speaks nothing about playing manmade instruments of music, the only type of music that He authorizes is vocal. When God says nothing He prohibits anything else. And remember, you can’t go to the Old Testament to justify this or any other practice because that law has been changed (verse 12). We learn valuable lessons from the Old Testament (Romans 15:4), but we are bound by the authority of the New Testament (Hebrews 8:13).
Please read Hebrews 7:18-25 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
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