Hebrews; Chapter 7
UNDERSTANDING OUR HIGH PRIEST!
Part IV
{Verses 20-28}
[10-3-10]
Review:
Hebrews 7:18) [GNB] The old rule, then, is set aside, because it was weak and useless.
19) [GNB] For the Law of Moses could not make anything perfect. And now a better hope has been provided through which we come near to God.
QUESTION: Why was there a need to change the priesthood, and the Law?
ANSWER: The Law, and the accompanying priesthood, was powerless to work perfection in us, even though they were instituted by God Himself.
Romans 7:12) [GNB] So then, the Law itself is holy, and the commandment is holy, right, and good.
Romans 8:3) [GNB] What the Law could not do, because human nature was weak, God did. He condemned sin in human nature by sending his own Son, who came with a nature like our sinful nature, to do away with sin.
[AMP] For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice],
QUESTION: Was there anything wrong with the Law?
ANSWER: Emphatically no! The Law is “holy, and the commandment is holy, right, and good.
QUESTION: If there’s nothing wrong with the Law then why does the author of the Hebrew letter say that it “is set aside, because it was weak and useless,” and that “the Law of Moses could not make anything perfect”?
ANSWER: The problem wasn’t the Law; it was, and is, us!
On To This Week’s Lesson:
Hebrews 7:20-21) [GNB] In addition, there is also God’s vow. There was no such vow when the others were made priests.
21) [GNB] But Jesus became a priest by means of a vow when God said to him, “The Lord has made a solemn promise and will not take it back: ‘You will be a priest forever.’”
Hebrews 6:17-20) [GNB] To those who were to receive what he promised, God wanted to make it very clear that he would never change his purpose; so he added his vow to the promise.
18) [GNB] There are these two things, then, that cannot change and about which God cannot lie. So we who have found safety with him are greatly encouraged to hold firmly to the hope placed before us.
19) [GNB] We have this hope as an anchor for our lives. It is safe and sure, and goes through the curtain of the heavenly temple into the inner sanctuary.
20) [GNB] On our behalf Jesus has gone in there before us and has become a high priest forever, in the priestly order of Melchizedek.
QUESTION: Why did God add a vow to His promise?
ANSWER: Verse 17 of Chapter 6 tells us that God added a vow to His promise so that the recipients of the promise would understand that God will never change His mind concerning that promise.
QUESTION: Why is that so important?
ANSWER: God wants His promises to us to anchor us firmly in His Word amidst whatever storms may come our way.
Hebrews 7:22) [GNB] This difference, then, also makes Jesus the guarantee of a better covenant.
QUESTION: Since the Priesthood of Jesus is greater than the priesthood of Aaron what other conclusion can we come to?
ANSWER: The covenant that made Jesus our High Priest is a greater covenant than the one that God gave Israel through His servant Moses. Chapters 8, 9, and 10 explain to us why it’s a better covenant.
Hebrews 7:23-25) [GNB] There is another difference: there were many of those other priests, because they died and could not continue their work.
24) [GNB] But Jesus lives on forever, and his work as priest does not pass on to someone else.
25) [GNB] And so he is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through him, because he lives forever to plead with God for them.
QUESTION: What other unique provision of the New Covenant makes it a better covenant?
ANSWER: Jesus lives forever! His Priesthood will never end! He will never be replaced by a successor!
QUESTION: Why is that so important?
ANSWER: He is not only able to save us, but He keeps us through His constant intercession on our behalves.
Romans 8:33-34) [GNB] Who will accuse God’s chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty!
34) [GNB] Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right side of God, pleading with him for us!
QUESTION: What if Satan accused you of failure before God Himself, the way He accused Job?
ANSWER: He probably will, but it will be futile. God is the One Who says we’re not guilty! Jesus is the One Who died, was buried, arose the third day, ascended to the Father, sat down at His right side, and is forever pleading our cause!
Romans 8:31) [GNB] In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Hebrews 7:26-28) [GNB] Jesus, then, is the High Priest that meets our needs. He is holy; he has no fault or sin in him; he has been set apart from sinners and raised above the heavens.
27) [GNB] He is not like other high priests; he does not need to offer sacrifices every day for his own sins first and then for the sins of the people. He offered one sacrifice, once and for all, when he offered himself.
28) [GNB] The Law of Moses appoints men who are imperfect to be high priests; but God’s promise made with the vow, which came later than the Law, appoints the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
QUESTION: What other way is the Priesthood of Christ superior to Aaron?
ANSWER: Jesus is sinless! He doesn’t need to offer new sacrifices every day for His own sins first, then the sins of the people. He offered one sacrifice, Himself, that forever cleanses those who trust Him.