The Law Changed in Hebrews 7:12

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 19, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 38.

The Law Changed in Hebrews 7:12

1082. M. E. R.—What law is spoken of as being changed, in Heb. 7:12?

The text reads, "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law." The law that is changed is the law of the Levitical priesthood. This law required that the priests should be of the tribe of Levi. Ex. 40:12-15; Num. 18:6, 7. But when Christ finished His earthly work and began His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, He became our High Priest. But He was of the tribe of Judah, and according to the law,—the law of the priesthood,—was not eligible. Therefore, in order for Him to become High Priest, it was necessary for a change to be made in that law, a change that would admit those of other tribes to the priesthood. That law ceased by limitation, with all the earthly ordinances of the tabernacle, at the death of Christ, for it was to Him that the whole system pointed. Then the new order,—or the re-establishment of the Melchizedek priesthood,—went into force. And since then the chosen of God, who in His purpose become Israelites in the broad sense, are called "an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices," "a royal priesthood." 1 Peter 2:5, 9. See also Rev. 1:6; 5:9.