A Necessary Change of the Law Hebrews 7:12

The writer of Hebrews questioned, “if therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood...what further need was there than another priest should rise...?” Rather than being sufficient for the salvation of man, the “priesthood” after “the order of Aaron” was incomplete, and there was a need for a “priesthood” after “the order of Melchisedec” who was an Old Testament appearance of Jesus. In chapter seven and verse twelve of Hebrews the writer shares more about, “necessity a change also of the law” where we read:

For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

The verse begins, “For the priesthood being changed,...”. The writer began with the word, “For” which means “because, even, indeed, seeing then and therefore” “the priesthood” or “the sacred priestly office” “being changed” which means “being transposed, transferred, exchanged, removed or turned”. The writer referenced the alteration that was necessary for the “priesthood”.

The verse goes on to say, “...there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”. The writer continued with the words, “there is made” or “there is become, fulfilled, arisen and preferred” “a necessity” which means “a need imposed either by the circumstances or by law of duty regarding to one's advantage, custom or argument” “a change also” which refers to “in addition a transposition, transfer, exchange, removal or turn” “of the law” or “the rule, precept, injunction or observance producing a state which is approved of God”.

When we consider these words in Hebrews, we see how the “alteration” of the “priesthood” mandated an alteration to “the law” of God. The “Levites” were commissioned by God to carry out the “sacred duties”, and since they were not “perfect” or “sufficient” for the salvation of man, there was a need to have another “priesthood” which was superior. Jesus Christ, who gave the law as God, became the “perfect great high priest”, and now access to God is given through the lawgiver Himself. Let all who approach this wonderful provision of God yield their lives to the one who not only is the “great high priest”, but also the One who provides through His “law”.

Next time the writer says “he of whom these things are spoken pertains to another tribe”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.