Hebrews 7:11-19

Mankind was not capable of saving itself through the Law…and then there was JESUS. Jesus defeated death through His resurrection.

King of  kings and  Lord over all!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

We will one day leave our earthly residence and enter our permanent residence with the Lord; until then, "whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him" (2 Corinthians 5:9). 

Just as Jesus comforted His disciples, we know that when our time faithfully serving the Lord in our frail earthly "tents" is complete, we will be home with Him in heaven in our resurrected bodies. Jesus told the disciples in John 16:33, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (NIV). First5 

David in Psalm 23 used these words: “He restores my soul.” God majors in restoring hope to the soul. Please note: you have hope. Psalm 121:7 says, “The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life.” And he’s the perfect one to do so. Max Lucado

Hebrews 7:11-19

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 New King James Version

If the Levitical priesthood had been able to bring people to perfection, then a superior priest from the order of Melchizedek would not have been needed. If the priests under the Law of Moses could offer permanent reconciliation between God and His people, there would be no need for a coming Messiah, One who would restore the Israelites to their relationship with God. 

Change means “removal”. If the Melchizedek priesthood removed the Levitical priesthood, then the Mosaic Law is also removed. In short, the believer is not under the Law but instead relies on the righteousness of Christ. 

made like (Gk. aphomoioō) (7:3) Strong’s #871: This Greek word literally means “to make a facsimile,” or “to produce a model or copy.” Thus the author of Hebrews was highlighting the similarities between the Son of God and the way Scripture presents Melchizedek. In other words, the ancient priest-king of Salem was a copy of Jesus. 

He of whom these things are spoken is the Lord, who arose from another tribe, namely Judah. According to the Law, the tribe of Judah had nothing to do with the priesthood. The argument hinges on Psalm 110:4. If the OT said that another priest was coming from another tribe, then clearly the Law was going to be superseded. 

The law, which regulated the priesthood, was fleshly in the sense that it regulated a person’s external actions. The Lord, however, is a Priest according to the power of an endless life. This is proved by Psalm.110:4. Jesus is a different kind of Priest, another indication that the Law has been changed. There has been an annulling, a putting away, of the Law. Christ’s priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood because it was established by an oath. The NKJV Study Bible

Greek word used here for perfection, teleiōsis, refers to the qualifications required to draw near to God. The author of Hebrews denies the Levitical system’s ability to produce perfection. God established it as a means for His people to maintain relationship with Him. 

The Order of Melchizedek replaces the Order of Aaron. Another priest refers to Jesus, who like Melchizedek did not belong to the lineage of Levi and Aaron. 

The law was a temporary provision given to God’s people until the arrival of Christ. Since the law was maintained by the Levitical priesthood, it must change now that a superior priest (Jesus) has arrived. Jesus belonged to the tribe of Judah, not Levi. Judah had no role in the religious activities of the tabernacle or temple. 

The Israelite kings from Judah, David and Solomon, may have provided precedent for someone from Judah to serve at the altar. That is, served as a priest. The altar was located in the courtyard of the tabernacle and was used for sacrifices. Daily offerings were made there. The book of Leviticus gives specific instructions for burnt offerings (Lev 1), grain offerings (Lev 2), peace offerings (Lev 3), sin offerings (Lev 4–5:13), and guilt offerings (Lev 5:14–6:7). 

The law of physical requirements refers to the biological descent of the Levitical priesthood. Jesus defeated death through His resurrection. His priesthood, like Melchizedek’s, endures forever. The author emphasizes the eternal nature of Jesus’ priesthood. 

The priestly functions of the old testament are no longer necessary because of Jesus’ priestly work. However, Hebrews does not claim that the old testament no longer has relevance for God’s people. 

The greek term Athetēsis refers to the annulment or cancellation of something—in this case the former commandment. The author of Hebrews reasons that God has the right to annul what He has instituted. The priesthood was only able to bring about an external cleansing—not purify people entirely, forever, from their sins. Faithlife Study Bible

Psalm 110:4 

The LORD has 

 will not relent“

You are a priest forever

According to the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 5:6 As He also says in another place:“You are a priest foreverAccording to the order of Melchizedek”;

Hebrews 7:18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,

Hebrews 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.

Revelation 5:5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”