Covenant to Be a Priest Like Melchizedek

Covenant to Be a Priest Like Melchizedek. This covenant is expressed at Psalm 110:4, and the writer of the Bible book of Hebrews applies it to Christ at Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17. It is a covenant made by Jehovah with Jesus Christ alone. Jesus apparently referred to it when making a covenant for a kingdom with his followers. (Lu 22:29) By Jehovah’s oath Jesus Christ, the heavenly Son of God, would be a priest according to the manner of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was king and priest of God on earth. Jesus Christ would hold both offices of King and High Priest, not on earth, but in heaven. He was installed permanently into office after his ascension to heaven. (Hebrews 6:20; 7:26, 28; 8:1) The covenant is forever in operation, since Jesus will act under Jehovah’s direction as King and High Priest forever.—Hebrews 7:3.

The Israelites were familiar with kings and priests. But there was only one man of ancient times who had been both king and priest at the same time with Jehovah’s approval. That was Melchizedek. (Genesis 14:18) Through the Law covenant, Jehovah gave the Israelites the opportunity of having “a kingdom of priests” chosen from their nation. The Scriptures later speak of these chosen ones as “a royal priesthood,” that is, kings who would also be priests.—1 Peter 2:9.

A king, of course, rules. But what does a priest do? Hebrews 5:1 explains: “Every high priest taken from among men is appointed in behalf of men over the things pertaining to God, that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.” A priest appointed by Jehovah represents the people before God. He begs Jehovah to forgive the sins of the people by offering Jehovah sacrifices. Also, a priest represents Jehovah before the people by teaching them God’s law. (Leviticus 10:8-11; Malachi 2:7) In these ways, the priest helps sinful people to be reconciled to God, that is, to have a friendship with God again.

The Law covenant gave Israelites the opportunity to become kings and priests to benefit “all other peoples.” But there was something that the Israelites needed to do to have this wonderful opportunity. God said: “If you will strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep my covenant.” Could they “strictly obey” Jehovah? Yes, but not perfectly. (Romans 3:19, 20) It is for this reason that Jehovah appointed some as priests within Israel. These priests did not serve as kings. They made animal sacrifices for the sins of the people. (Leviticus 4:1–6:7) These sins also included the sins of the priests themselves. (Hebrews 5:1-3; 8:3) Even though Jehovah accepted these sacrifices, they could not completely remove sin from the Israelites. The priesthood under the Law covenant could not completely reconcile even sincere Israelites to God. It is as the apostle Paul said: “It is not possible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take sins away.” (Hebrews 10:1-4) Because the Israelites did not obey all the things in the Law, they came under a curse. (Galatians 3:10) In that condition, they could not serve all other peoples as a royal priesthood.

This does not mean that Israelites could never become part of “a kingdom of priests” as Jehovah had promised. If they sincerely tried to obey Jehovah, they would have this opportunity, but not while they were under the Law. Why not? (Read Galatians 3:19-25.) To understand this, we need to know what the purpose of the Law covenant was. The Law protected obedient Israelites from false worship. It also helped them to understand that they were sinners and needed a greater sacrifice than their high priest could offer. The Law was a “tutor” that would prepare them to accept the Christ, or Messiah. These names mean “Anointed One.” However, when the Messiah arrived, he would introduce the new covenant that Jeremiah prophesied about. Those who accepted the Christ became part of the new covenant and would actually become “a kingdom of priests.”