“Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood” (Hebrews 7:23-24).
The transient nature of life is something that should be familiar to virtually everyone. From a historical perspective, we can see it in the rise and fall of nations. On a personal level, we can see it in the neighborhoods and landscapes that change, decay, or cease to exist. In a functional sense, we can see it in the mechanisms that break down, wear out, or become obsolete. Yet even while these realities seem rather depressing, Hebrews 7:23-24 offers hope.
You see, this portion of Scripture reminds us that many individuals served as priests over the centuries. For instance, the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus reported the number of high priests who had served up until that point…
“Whence it is a custom of our country, that no one should take the high priesthood of God but he who is of the blood of Aaron, while every one that is of another stock, though he were a king, can never obtain that high priesthood. Accordingly, the number of all the high priests from Aaron… was eighty- three…” (1)
So this priestly institution changed as its members passed away and others took their place. And just as you might expect when looking at a generational cross-section of imperfect human beings, some who served within that institution were less than honorable. The book of the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah (a book that will be quoted extensively in Hebrews chapter eight) provides us with a glimpse into that reality…
“Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and burn incense to Baal and all those other new gods of yours, and then come here and stand before me in my Temple and chant, ‘We are safe!’—only to go right back to all those evils again? Don’t you yourselves admit that this Temple, which bears my name, has become a den of thieves? Surely I see all the evil going on there. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Jeremiah 7:9-11 NLT).
Unfortunately, Jesus would go on to quote that very passage in addressing the spiritual leaders of His day as well.
Nevertheless, this passage offers encouragement as it illustrates the superior nature of Jesus’ priestly ministry. Since Jesus is eternal by virtue of His deity, He never needs to be replaced like those members of the Levitical order. And as we’ll see near the close of this chapter, Jesus’ character is impeccable, unlike some who served within the Levitical priesthood. So, while people and things may change, Jesus doesn’t- and that’s good news for us.
(1) Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 20.10.1 [public domain] https://www.biblestudytools.com/history/flavius-josephus/antiquities-jews/book-20/chapter-10.html