A Change of the Law

Hebrews 7:12

By Chuck W. Henry

Yahshua the Messiah told his disciples to abstain from the leaven of the Pharisees which consisted of

1. Their doctrine (Mat. 16:12).
2. Their hypocrisy (Luk. 12:1)

The Pharisees were among the accepted religious leaders of their day.  But what about our day?  Who are the religious leaders today? The answer:

1. The Catholic Pope and priests.
2. The Protestant (Sunday) pastors.

Both Catholic and Protestant leaders today tell us that Yahweh's law has been

1. Changed;
2. Done away - abolished;
3. Nailed to the cross;
4. And is Jewish, so does not apply to us (Gentiles) today.

Hebrews 7:12 does in fact tell us there has been a "change in the law," but the law concerning what?  Remember: this verse must not be twisted.

"For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law" (Heb. 7:12 KJV).

To get the context, it is necessary to read all of chapter seven.

It is recorded in Heb. 7:1 that Melchisedec, priest of the Most High, met Abraham and blessed him (Gen.14:17-20).  Reading through verse 11, we find a contrast between the Levitical and the Melchisedec priesthoods.

The remainder of the chapter reveals that Yahshua is a High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, not after the order of Aaron the Levite (Heb. 7:13, 14, 17, 21, 22, 24,-28; 6:20; 8: 1, 2).  Please notice:

1. The change in the law concerns [is linked to] the Aaronic priesthood as required in Exo. 28 (Heb. 7:12).
2. This "change" relates to a physical, carnal commandment which pertains to the flesh (Heb. 7:16).

The change which has occurred, then, is the law which required all priests to be physically (carnally) descended from Aaron (Heb. 7:16). Have other laws been changed according to this text?  No.  These Scriptures indicate the only change in the law is Yahweh's acceptance of the Melchisedec priesthood as well as (or in-stead of) that of Aaron.

"No man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of Yahweh, as was Aaron.  So also [the] Messiah glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee" (Heb. 5:4, 5).

So then, the law (the Decalogue as well as other laws) have not been done away, abolished, changed, or "nailed to the cross."  According to Scripture, the "change of the law" is concerning the priesthood.

Also, that Yahweh's laws for living are not for the Jewish people only, but are for all mankind is indicated in Scripture.  A few of many: Eze. 20:11,13, 21; 18:4; Rom. 6:23; 3:19, 31; 7:1, 12-16; 8:6, 7; I Pet. 1:23, 25; Mat. 5:17-19).

Moreover, the Aaronic order will again function in the future (Eze. 40-48).

"Now of the things we have spoken this is the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; …" (Heb. 8:1).

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