Hebrews 7:11-19 (NKJV)
11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies:
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
The Levitical priesthood and the Law of Moses were never intended to last. That fact can be understood from just the one verse about the coming Christ in Psalm 110, “You are a Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
The writer to the Hebrews walks us through the argument. The Law of Moses, the Levitical priesthood, and the high priesthood of the sons of Aaron (also of the tribe of Levi) were established at Mt. Sinai, in roughly 1500 BC. But King David wrote Psalm 110 five hundred years later, prophesying that the coming Christ would have a special priesthood, a special role as Sacrifice-Bringer and Mediator, that had nothing to do with the Levitical priesthood, because His priesthood would be according to the order of Melchizedek. Like Melchizedek, the Christ would be a priest, but also a king, descended from King David himself, of the tribe of Judah.
As for the Levitical priests, their official ministry in the temple lasted only 25 years (cf. Num. 8:23-25), at most. And all the Levitical priests died, ensuring the temporary nature of their ministry. But the Christ would be “a priest forever.”
Therefore, since the Christ’s ministry would not be governed by the Law of Moses, and since the Christ would be a priest forever, the Law of Moses and the Levitical priesthood were destined to be replaced by Christ’s ministry. The Old Testament was temporary. The New Testament is eternal.
Yes, the inspired writer makes a very bold statement in this reading, testifying that God had annulled the old commandment of Moses, due to its “weakness and unprofitableness.” Why weak and unprofitable? Because “the Law made nothing perfect.” It didn’t actually provide atonement for sins. It didn’t transform hearts. It still required separation from God. But now there is a better hope through which we draw near to God: the hope given to us by Christ Jesus, our Priest forever!
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, our great High Priest, we thank You for Your sacrifice and intercession on our behalf. Sanctify us by Your Spirit, that we may serve You faithfully in all things. Amen.