The Objection
The Levitical priesthood was only necessary for a period of time until the Melchizedekian priesthood was fulfilled in Christ. The lesser priesthood (and the lesser covenant) are no longer needed! Why have the Mosaic Law at all?!?
The Response
The Levitical priesthood and its related sacrifices could not remove sin, cleanse the conscience, or purify the heart (Hebrews 10:4). But that's OK because G-d never intended it to do those things. The Levitical priesthood had a different purpose than the Melchizedek priesthood.
The "order" of Melchizedek is not some monastic society or secret order. It is a sequential order, that is, a sequence or an array that began with Adam. The title of Melchizedek (literally, "my king is righteous") was his until he died. Then it was passed sequentially from father to son (or grandson) down through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, King David, King Solomon, and so on until it came to Christ. Because Jesus resurrected, never to die again, the title of "Melchizedek" is His forever. The entire reason the "order of Melchizedek" is so important is that it culminates in Christ! For more information about Melchizedek, check out this article entitled The Mystery of Melchizedek.
As far as the second question, "Why have the Mosaic Law at all"?
Let's note first there is nothing wrong with the Mosaic Law. It has multiple purposes: when we break G-d's Law, it reveals humanity's sinful nature (Romans 3:20). When we obey G-d's Law, it demonstrates His wisdom (Deuteronomy 4:5-8), righteousness (Isaiah 42:21), and holiness (Romans 7:12). But G-d's Law cannot redeem humanity or bring about salvation. That was never its intended purpose.
The writer of the letter to the Hebrews points out that Christ's work in the Melchizedek priesthood is greater than the work of the Levitical priesthood.
How so?
The Levitical priesthood and its related sacrifices could not remove sin, cleanse the conscience, or purify the heart. G-d never intended it to do those things. Instead, the Levitical priesthood had a different purpose: point to the Messiah and the need for a Redeemer.
Messiah's priesthood and His sacrificial work were able to remove sin, cleanse the conscience, and purify the heart. As Hebrews 7:28 says, "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."
Christ's work in redeeming humanity from their sins is a far greater thing than the Levitical priesthood's work in pointing out the need for such redemption.
Why have the Mosaic Law at all? The world still needs to understand the wisdom of G-d. We still need to see G-d's righteousness and holiness lived out in a real and tangible way. And, until Yeshua returns, humanity still needs something to remind us of our sin and our need for Jesus the Christ, our Redeemer.
Scripture says...
Objection overruled.
If you still have questions, check out our definitions and assumptions page. If you still have questions or concerns after reading that, please contact us. We would love the opportunity to understand and respond to those concerns!
