The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews says that when a Jew becomes a Christian, transference of priesthood is taking place. But in addition, a second key concept is presented in Hebrews 7 v 12. ‘...the priesthood is being transferred, from out of necessity, from out of compelling need, and a transfer of law is coming into being’. There is also a transfer with regard to Covenant Law in that by entering into this new priesthood, the injunctions written in stone concerning the appointment of priests and the high priest are being rendered idle. He goes on to say, ‘Because indeed, there is a setting aside of the preceding command, [the injunction that to qualify for the priesthood, a Jew must be physically descended from Levi], because it is weak and has no utility or benefit 19 because the Law brings nothing to completion – bringing in alongside a more excellent confident expectation by means of which we are coming near to God’, (Hebrews 7 v 18, 19).
This is a moderately complex statement so lets break it down into manageable parts.
There is a setting aside of the Covenant Law about Hebrew priests having to belong to the tribe of Levi
This setting aside brings alongside a more superior confident expectation
By means of this more excellent expectation, Christians are coming near to God
The Covenant Law regarding the qualification that a Jew must be a Levite before he can be considered for entry into the delegated authority of being priest, is being set aside because it
Is weak and
Has no useful, practical benefit, because
It brings nothing to completion
This is in agreement with what Paul says in his letter to the Roman Christians. ‘But now, apart and separate from Law, God’s judicial approval is made clear and apparent, testified and borne witness to by the Law and the Prophets’, (Romans 3 v 21).
I want to note that the Covenant Law regarding the qualification of Hebrew priests is not abolished, dissolved or relaxed, (Matthew 5 v 18, 19). Rather, for Hebrew Christians it is set aside such that a more confident expectation is brought alongside – in parallel to Covenant Law.
