Melchizedek Priesthood 3 - Hebrews 7:17-28

7:17-18 - We learned previously that the Jews at the time of Paul knew that there was a higher level of priesthood than the Levitical one that they were using at that time. And if there was going to be a higher priesthood, then there would have to be an ordained holder of that priesthood to administer it. I read somewhere and I can’t find it now that when Paul says, “For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek,” he’s referencing Psalm 110:4 which says the same thing and this is the “Oath” portion of the “oath and covenant” of the priesthood. I also read somewhere else that the covenant part of that phrase is where we make promises to God, but the oath part is where God makes promises to us. I’m not exactly sure what Paul’s trying to say in verse 18, but the way that I’m taking it is that when Christ came there was a fulfillment of the law of Moses because it was not able to save anyone, only Christ could do that. 7:19-28 - I know that we discussed verse 19 before when we were figuring out the knowledge of the Israelites at the time of Paul. Here is another place where the JST is vitally important in understanding what is really going on. My interpretation of 7:19- , including the JST is, “the law of Moses ‘was administered without an oath’ and therefore is unable to make people perfect, but was a way to bring people closer to God. Jesus was made high priest WITH an oath, therefore was able to assume the spiritual debt of all people. Even though there were a lot of priests, they were guilty of their own sins and subject to death, so they couldn’t save anyone. But because Jesus is sinless and couldn’t be forced to die, he ‘hath an unchangeable priesthood.’ Therefore he is able to completely save those who ‘come unto God by him.’” I guess maybe it’s because I don’t get a priesthood ordination that I’m viewing this whole concept like an outsider looking in. I feel like I don’t have a horse in this race so I don’t understand a lot about it. But really, if we think about it, I absolutely have a stake in the priesthood because I need the saving ordinances to work out my own salvation and those must be administered by the proper authority. Ok I’ve been trying to write this all night and now I’m tired so I guess I’m just going to sum up the chapter as follows: Melchizedek was one of the most righteous men of all time. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek and was blessed, therefore Melchizedek was the greater spiritual authority of the two, holding the higher priesthood, “the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God” aka the Melchizedek priesthood. When Jesus brought the Melchizedek priesthood back to the Israelites, the greater law was established, and it is through this greater law that the higher priesthood is able to provide saving ordinances that allow all who desire to take part of the Savior’s atonement.