Hebrews 7:19 Commentary and Bible Study

Salvation was promised by God from soon after the fall, and he could not fail to deliver it. But in Old Testament times the pious said, ‘We trust in his mercy, but how will he bring about our redemption?’ They clung to the ordinances that God had delivered to their fathers, at the same time sensing that these things were weak and they waited eagerly for something better to be revealed. Their hope was in the coming of the Messiah, and so they searched diligently for any indication of his presence and greatly rejoiced when they found him: ‘We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ’ (John 1:41); ‘We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph’ (John 1:45). As the ministry of the Lord Jesus unfolded, although it was hard for them to grasp its full scope, the pious were led to understand more and more of the plan of God. As Jews, their minds were strongly bound to the law and to a national salvation, and so at first they had much difficulty grasping the scope of what Christ came to do. But following the resurrection, and the sending and enlightening of the Holy Spirit, the purposes of God became clear to them and they stood behind them with their very lives. Here then was that which is perfect. If they studied the ceremonial law and asked whether it was a viable means of salvation, they immediately saw many respects in which it fell short. But the work of Christ could be endlessly scrutinised, and no weakness, no inconsistency, no imperfection could be found in it. His work of redemption did not leave matters unresolved, but he completely accomplished all he came to do, and could say, ‘It is finished’. He did not remain under the power of death as did the sacrifices of the law, but he rose from the dead, showing that God was fully satisfied with his offering, and that death which he came to conquer was now defeated. He did not remain on earth, but he ascended into heaven where he continues to conduct his priesthood. He did not leave his people without a comforter, but sent them the Spirit to dwell in their hearts. He does not allow them to remain under the condemning power of the law, but causes them to die to the law. He does not let guilt and fear continue to rule over them, but sends them his peace and assurance of forgiveness. He does not limit his salvation to just one nation, but sends his disciples into all the world. He will not let his elect remain separated from him on earth, but will come again to take them to be with him. He does not allow death to reign continuously over his people, but will give them resurrection bodies like his own which can never die again. He does not leave the curse in place, but removes it forever from the presence of his people. He creates a new heaven and a new earth for them to dwell in. He does not leave any of the types and shadows in place as vestiges of a more primitive form of instruction, but brings in the bright reality of the eternal day. He will take his bride, the church, and be eternally and visibly united to her at the marriage supper of the Lamb. How vastly superior is the new covenant which Christ has sealed to the shadows of the law which went before.