The Levitical priesthood and the law were necessary parts of the Old Covenant. Someone greater than the Levite priests was needed because of the insufficiency of the law to make people perfect.
Paul points out that if the system of the Levitical priesthood (the law) made the people perfect there would have been no need for a priest to be appointed outside of the Levitical priesthood. Paul points out that the people received the Law on the basis of the Levitical priesthood. And because the Levite priests did not bring perfection then neither did the law.
Paul writes that the law was received on the basis of the Levitical priesthood. The priests were an integral part of the law. In Numbers 18:5 God said (talking about the Levites), “So you shall attend to the obligations of the sanctuary and the obligations of the altar, so that there will no longer be wrath on the sons of Israel.” God gave the Israelites many laws concerning gifts, sacrifices, and behavior. These priests, acting as mediators, brought offerings to God on behalf of the Israelites. This was a picture of the greater high priest to come.
King David wrote in the Old Testament that a greater priest would come (Psalm 110). The Psalm makes it clear that the Levitical priesthood, based on the order of Aaron (Moses’ brother), was a temporary arrangement and one day a greater priest would be appointed after the order of Melchizedek (instead of the lineage of the Levites). Since the law was given on the basis of the Levite priests, this change of priests brings a change of law also (the Old Covenant). So, if the Levite priests are no longer needed, then a new covenant must be established.
Christ descended from the tribe of Judah, not the tribe of Levi. In Exodus 28, God told Aaron and his descendants (the tribe of Levi) that they would serve as priests (Numbers 18). Unlike the Levites, and like Melchizedek, Christ’s priesthood was not dependent on his lineage. He was made a priest forever from the promise of God (Psalm 110:4). Both Jesus and Melchizedek become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of God—an indestructible life. This new priest (Jesus) from a lineage apart from the Levites created the need for a new covenant.
On their own, the Levitical priests and the Law made nothing perfect. Therefore, a better priest and a better covenant were needed. The Old Testament law did, however, serve a purpose: it made the Israelites aware of their sin and pointed towards the work of Christ (through animal sacrifices), but it had no inherent power to forgive sins, make us right before God, or clear our consciences. Therefore, Paul says the old law must be set aside because of its weakness and uselessness. The work of Christ and His power as our high priest gives us a much better hope because it offers eternal salvation.
The Levitical priests and the old law have been nullified and we now have a better promise and a better hope: a better way to draw near to God through Christ.
Biblical Text
11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. 13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. 15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
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