Hebrews 7:26-8:5

Hebrews 7:20–28 (NLT)

This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants became priests without such an oath, but there was an oath regarding Jesus. For God said to him, “The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: ‘You are a priest forever.’ ” Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God.

There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.

Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins.

The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.

The Author Remains on the Topic of the Supremacy of Jesus’ Priesthood…

To that of the Levitical Priesthood

And Here’s the Message to These Hebrew Christians:

“If You Turn Your Back On Jesus, and Return to Moses and the Levitical Priesthood…”

“Then You are Forfeiting the Intercession and Advocacy Jesus Provides as the Superior High Priest”

Hebrews 7:26 (NASB95)

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

“Holy” = Faithfulness to the Covenant

Hebrews 7:26 (NASB95)

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

“Innocent” = Pure in Motives

Hebrews 7:26 (NASB95)

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

“Undefiled” = Pure in Actions

These First 3 Adjectives Describe Jesus’ Relationship with God, Others, and Himself

He is Faithful to the Covenant, Pure in Motives, and Pure in Actions

The Last 2 Phrases Describe His Present Status

Hebrews 7:26 (NASB95)

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

He is Physically Separated From Sinful Humanity Because He is Exalted Above the Heavens…

In Most Holy Place of Heaven

Hebrews 7:26 (NASB95)

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

The Author Used this Phrase “For it was Fitting” in Hebrews 2:10

Hebrews 2:10 (NASB95)

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.

What was Fitting for God to Do in this Verse?

It was Fitting for Him to Perfect the Author of Salvation Through Sufferings

For What Reason?

To Bring Many Sons to Glory

God Wants to Bring Us to Glory/Save Us

Hebrews 7:26 (NASB95)

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

Why was it Fitting for us to Have Such a High Priest?

The Answer is Still the Same

It was Fitting for Us to Have Jesus as Our High Priest…

Because God Wants to Bring Us to Glory

But Why Did We Need a High Priest that is Holy, Innocent, Undefiled, Separated From Sinners, and Exalted Above the Heavens?

Hebrews 7:27 (NASB95)

who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

Because He Wouldn’t Need to Offer Sacrifices for His Own Sins Before Offerings Sacrifices for Ours

He was Already Perfect

He was Already in a Perfect Relationship with Our God and Judge

And Through His One and Only Sacrifice of Himself…

He is Able to Bring Many Sons to Glory/Save Forever Those Who Draw Near to God Through Him

Who Would You Rather Have Interceding and Advocating for You Before a Holy God?

A Sinner Like You Who Also Needs an Intercessor and Advocate?

Or a Perfectly Righteous and Holy Man Who Has a Spotless Relationship with God?

Hebrews 7:28 (NASB95)

For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

Here, the Author Wraps Up Everything He’s Taught Us in this Section On Melchizedek and the Priesthood of Jesus

Hebrews 7:28 (NASB95)

For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

The Old Law Established the Old Levitical Priesthood

And the High Priests of that Priesthood Were Weak

They Were Weak in that They Would Sin and Eventually Die

Hebrews 7:28 (NASB95)

For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

Unlike with the Levitical Priesthood that was Not Established By an Oath…

The New Priesthood was Established in an Oath

This was an Added Layer of Certainty Placed Upon the Promise of this New Priesthood

An Added Layer that the Old Priesthood Didn’t Have

Hebrews 7:28 (NASB95)

For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

The New Priesthood Doesn’t Have a Weak, Sinful, Mortal High Priest

But God Appointed His Son Over the New Priesthood

“Son” in Hebrews Carries 2 Main Ideas that We’ve Already Studied

God’s Son = His Chosen King and Heir

The New High Priest is God’s Chosen King and Heir to His Promises

Hebrews 7:28 (NASB95)

For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

Unlike the Weak and Sinful Levitical Priesthood, Jesus is Perfect

Not Only was He Morally, Physically, and Spiritually Perfect…

But as We’ve Seen with the Word “Perfect” in this Book So Far…

Jesus is the Only One Capable of Bringing God’s Plan to Completion/Its Desired End

The Only Law and Priesthood Could Not Perfect/Complete God’s Plan

But Jesus Does

Hebrews 7:28 (NASB95)

For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

Unlike the Levitical Priesthood, Jesus is Alive Forever and Our High Priest Forever

What He Does as Our High Priest, Bringing Many Sons to Glory…

(Which is God’s Desired End for Humanity)…

He Does Forever

Hebrews 8:1–6 (NLT)

Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.

And since every high priest is required to offer gifts and sacrifices, our High Priest must make an offering, too. If he were here on earth, he would not even be a priest, since there already are priests who offer the gifts required by the law.

They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.”

But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.

Hebrews 8:1 (NASB95)

Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

We are Officially at the Heart of the Book of Hebrews

The Author is Ready to Break Down the Main Point of Everything He’s Told Us So Far

It’s Time to Sum it All Up

Hebrews 8:1 (NASB95)

Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

What Does He Mean By “Such” as High Priest?

He’s Referring to the High Priest He Just Described in 7:28

A Kingly High Priest Who was Made Perfect Forever

A High Priest Who is Able to Bring About God’s Desired End for Humanity

Hebrews 8:1 (NASB95)

Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

This High Priest is Currently Seated at the Place of Honor at God’s Right Hand…

In the Most Holy Place of Heaven

Listen to the Symbolic Prophecy that was Made in Zechariah 6:11-13

Zechariah 6:11–13 (NASB95)

“Take silver and gold, make an ornate crown and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.

“Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the Lord.

“Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.” ’

Zechariah was to Make a Crown of Gold and Silver and Lay it on the Head of the High Priest, Joshua

This was to Represent a Man Named “Branch” Who Will Build the Temple of God

“Branch was a Common Way Amongst Many of the Prophets to Refer to the Messiah

This “Branch” Will Build the Temple and Then Sit and Rule On His Throne…

As a King and Priest Just Like Melchizedek

It was Prophesied By Zechariah that the Messiah Would Be a King and Priest…

And His Throne Would Be Located in the Temple of God that He Built

Jesus Fulfills this Prophecy Down to the Very Last Detail

This is Exactly What the Hebrew Author Has Been Talking About

In Jesus the Roles of King and Priest Unite in One Person

Hebrews 8:2 (NASB95)

a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.

The Royal High Priest is a Minister/Servant in the Sanctuary/Holy Place…

In the True Tabernacle Which the Lord Himself Set Up

Everything the Hebrew Author is Telling Us Goes Right Along with What Zechariah Prophesied

But this Royal High Priest Isn’t Just Sitting On His Throne in the True Holy Place of God’s True Tabernacle

He’s Busy Ministering/Serving On Behalf of the People, as is a High Priest’s Duty

Hebrews 8:3 (NASB95)

For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer.

It is the Duty of a High Priest to Minister On Behalf of the People

To Come Before God With Offerings On Behalf of the People

Jesus’ High Priesthood is No Different

He Has Entered into God’s Presence On Our Behalf…

And He Must Have Something to Offer God On Our Behalf

The Author Doesn’t Go Into the Specifics of What Jesus Offered Just Yet

But He Will in Chapter 9

Hebrews 8:4 (NASB95)

Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law;

As was Established in Chapter 7…

Jesus Couldn’t Be a Priest Under the Old Law

Only Levites Could Be Priests

Hebrews 8:5 (NASB95)

who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “See,” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.”

The Old Priesthood, Tabernacle, and Offerings Were a “Copy”

“Copy” Refers to an “Example, Sketch, Outline, Model”

If I Told You that I was Going to Give You a House for Free…

You’d Be Excited Until I Handed You a Drawing of a 1-Dimensional House

I Didn’t Lie, Because I Gave You a House

You’d Feel the Same if I Promised You a House and Handed You 2-Dimensional Blueprints to a House

Or if I Handed You a 3-Dimensional Model of a House

Each Time, I Fulfilled My Promise By Giving You a House

Each of Those Things Were a House, But Only an Example/Sketch/Outline/Model of a House

They Point to the Real Thing and are an Example of the Real Thing…

But They Aren’t the Real Thing

The Old Priesthood, Tabernacle, and Offerings Were Only a Copy…

Of the True Priesthood, Tabernacle, and Offering of Jesus

But That Doesn’t Mean the Copy/Shadow of the True Isn’t Important

Hebrews 8:5 (NASB95)

who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “See,” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.”

Moses was Given a Pattern By God On How to Construct the Earthly Tabernacle

He was to Follow the Instructions Carefully and Make it Just Like God Said

This Copy Had to Be Just Right, So that it Could Properly Point to the True Tabernacle

But Even When Constructed Exactly as God Commanded…

It was Still Only a Copy and Shadow of the True

Hebrews 8:6 (NASB95)

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

Jesus’ Ministry is More Excellent

How So?

Because He is a Superior Priest in that He is Perfect, Eternal, and…

Can Bring About God’s Desired End for His People

He Has Superior Honor at the Right Hand of God

He Ministers in a Superior Place in God’s True Most Holy Place in the True Tabernacle of Heaven

These Things are Proof that He is the Mediator of a Better Covenant Between God and Humanity

Because This Covenant was Enacted/Legislated On Better Promises

Jesus is Better, Better, Better!

In the Next Section, the Author is Going to Begin Laying Out…

The New Covenant’s Superiority and What the Superior Promises Consist of

Invitation

James 1:13–15 (NASB95)

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

James 1 Up to this Point has Been Primarily About Trials and Temptations…

And How We Need to Respond to Them

God Will Reward Us if We Faithfully Endure the Trials and Temptations

But Now James Wants to Make Sure We are Thinking Clearly About the Source of Temptation

“Don’t Blame God for Your Trials, Temptations, and Troubles”

God Does Not Tempt Us to Do Evil

He Doesn’t Want Us to Do Evil, So Why Would He Tempt Us to Do So?

God is Not to Blame for Our Temptations, Our Own Desires Are

Temptations Stems From Our Fleshly Desires

The Lust of the Eyes

We Find Certain Things Desirable to Look at

And that Desire to Look at Such Things Can Lead to Improper Thoughts and Actions

The Lust of the Flesh

We Desire Certain Feelings

Whether it Be Intimate Relationships, Chemical Fixes Through Food, Drink, or Drugs, etc.

And that Desire for Physical Feelings Can Lead to Improper Thoughts and Actions

The Pride of Life

We Desire Fame, Fortune, and Power

Things that Make Us Feel Above Everyone Else

Desire for Such Things Can Lead to Improper Thoughts and Actions

“Enticed” is a Hunting and Fishing Term

It Refers to Being Lured in By Something We Desire/Bait

It’s Like a Fish that Sees a Lure that it Desires

It is Carried Away and Begins to Pursue the Lure

That is When Lust Begins

And When Lust is Conceived it Gives Birth to Sin

It’s Important to Recognize that the Fish Being Attracted to the Lure Isn’t the Lust/Sin

It’s When the Fish is Carried Away and Begins Pursuing the Lure that Lust Begins

Once Lust has Given Birth to Sin, that Sin Can Be Allowed to Grow

Assuming the Fisherman Doesn’t Set the Hook in the Fishes Mouth…

The Fish Could Bite the Lure and Realize it’s Mistake and Let Go

It Could Turn Away From that Tempting Lure and Choose to Never Pursue it Again

But the Fish Also Has the Option to Keep it’s Mouth Clamped Down on the Lure

And it Can Stay Clamped All the Way Up into the Boat

By that Point the Fish is Ready to Release the Lure, But it’s Too Late

Like the Fish, When We Allow Lust to Give Birth to Sin…

We Have the Option to Immediately Repent and Turn From Pursuing that Desire

But We Also Have the Option of Continuing in Our Lust and Sin…

Allowing that Sin to Grow and Grow and Grow…

Not Realizing that We are Getting Closer and Closer to the Boat

And Once We’ve Reached the Boat, There is No More Opportunity for Repentance

We Can’t Allow Our Desires to Rule Over Us

We Must Rule Over Our Desires

There’s Nothing Wrong with Having Desires

I Believe God is Going to Grant All of Our Desires in His Own Perfect Way

It’s Wrong When We Seek to Attain Those Desires Ourselves…

Through Sinful Means

All of Our Desires Await Us in the Resurrection

And They Will Be Fulfilled in Ways We Can’t Yet Imagine

Self-Control in this Age Will Be Worth Every Effort in the Age to Come

7 Ways the Author Will Explain the New Covenant is Better Than the Old:

It is Based On Better Promises (Sins Forgiven and Forgotten, Not Just Forgiven)

It Brings Better Purity (Purity of Conscience, Not Just Purity of Flesh)

It Offers a Better Inheritance (Eternal, Not Temporal)

Christ Enters into a Better Sanctuary (Heavenly, Not Earthly)

Christ Offers a Better Sacrifice (His Blood, Not an Animal’s)

Christ’s Sacrifice is a Better Atonement (Once for All Time, Not Just for a Year)

We Face a Better Fate When He Returns (Salvation, Not Judgement)