Tag: unchangeable

A Better Priesthood

A Better Priesthood

It was on the basis of the Levitical priesthood that the Law was given to the people of Israel. Now, if the work of the Levitical priests had been perfect, there would have been no need for a different kind of priest to appear, one who is in the priestly order of Melchizedek, not of Aaron. 12 For when the priesthood is changed, there also has to be a change in the law. 13 And our Lord, of whom these things are said, belonged to a different tribe, and no member of his tribe ever served as a priest.  (Heb 7:11-13 GNT, underscoring added)

Melchizedek’s lineage is not shown in Scripture, but his name means king of righteousness and king of peace.  So, he is considered to be a type of Christ.

The Scriptures say about Him, “You are a priest forever, just like Melchizedek.”  18 In this way a weak and useless command was put aside, 19 because the Law cannot make anything perfect. At the same time, we are given a much better hope, and it can bring us close to God.  (Heb 7:17-19 CEV)  This passage of the Bible refers to Jesus as “a priest forever.”

Here’s a pertinent quotation concerning Jesus’ priesthood:

In verses 4–10 of Hebrews 7, the author recounts how Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek and that the Levitical priests (who were biological descendants of Abraham) would one day be commanded in the law to accept tithes from the people of Israel. The author concludes, “it is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior” (v. 7). Given that Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, and the Israelites paid tithes to the Levites, this is a strong argument that Jesus Christ’s priesthood is greater than that of the Levites. – Article by Kim Riddlebarger,
Source:  https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/better-priesthood/

Levitical priests could serve only until they died.  Jesus, alone, serves as our Priest forever even into eternity, as the Scripture says:

“The Lord has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’ . . . ”  (Heb 7:21) 

Jesus is the guarantor of a better covenant.  (Heb 7:22)  Earthly priests’ work is temporary, but Jesus holds his Priesthood eternally because He will never die.  (Heb 7:24)  Jesus, in His perfection and holiness, is unchangeable.  He always lives to make intercession for His people. (Heb 7:25) 

Jesus is a High Priest above all others:  holy, unstained, innocent, and exalted above the heavens.  (See Heb 7:26-28)  Glory to God most High!  We are so blessed that He is interceding for each and every one of us who have made Him our Lord and Savior.

God Will Be Exalted

God Will Be Exalted

God’s decrees and declarations in the Bible are unchangeable, inevitable and unstoppable.  A clear declaration that God makes often in the Word is that He WILL BE exalted.  No matter what wicked human beings, evil despots, or demon adversaries want or expect.  God cannot be denied.   His power cannot be stopped.  His will cannot be successfully opposed.

“Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”  (Ps 46:10)  It’s good for us to realize that we are expected to exalt our Lord and Savior.  It’s an honor and a privilege to conform to this expectation.

“Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”  (Ezek 38:23)  God says that He will magnify Himself—make His own power large and obvious for all to see.  He does this to establish that He is the Only God—the Creator of all.

The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day . . .  (Isa 2:17) No human conceit shall stand before the Lord.  Only God shall be revered and praised.  All beings shall bow to the God most High.

But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness.  (Isa 5:16)  The holy God, whom we serve, shall be recognized as glorious and grand in all of His judgments [decrees, decisions, verdicts].

They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:  “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty!  Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!  4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.  For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.”  (Rev 15:3-4)  This is a beautiful example of how to exalt, glorify, and praise the Lord our God.

As believers, it is our honor to form the pleasant habit of praising and extolling God daily for His goodness, mercy, and love.  I urge you to develop this habit as soon as you can.