For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. Hebrews 7:12-14 KJV
The verses above appear in the book of Hebrews and are part of an argument that we are no longer under the law of Moses. The argument is simply this: the law of Moses required that all priests be from the tribe of Levi, yet Jesus was of the tribe of Judah. Even so, we are told that Jesus is our High Priest forever (Hebrews 6:20). This can only be so if the Law has changed. Why? Because Moses spoke nothing concerning the priesthood for those of the tribe of Judah! The writer of Hebrews respects the silence of scripture. Moses spoke nothing concerning the priesthood for Judah, therefore no one of the tribe of Judah could be a priest under the Law of Moses. The silence of the scripture, then, is authoritative.
In the book of Deuteronomy God said, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2 KJV) Notice that the reason that the Lord gives for not adding to his Word is that “…ye may keep the commandments of the Lord…” It is evident, then, that it is not sufficient to simply do all that the Lord has commanded us, but equally important that we do not add anything that he has not commanded!
Consider the story of Nadab and Abihu: “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord .” (Leviticus 10:1-2)
What did Nadab and Abihu do? Did they fail to keep a command of the Lord? No, they did in worship what the Lord “commanded them not.” What was the result of them doing something that they were not commanded? The Lord required their life!
Nadab and Abihu are not alone. Many today invent things to do in worship to God that are not found in his Word. In so doing, they add to the Word that the Lord has spoken. Do you think that the Lord is any more pleased with this than he was with Nadab and Abihu? Of course not.
Jesus said, “…in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Mark 7:7) Do you know what “vain” means? It means fruitless or unsuccessful. Jesus said that the worship of those who worship according to the commandments of men is fruitless—unsuccessful. God does not accept their worship. He expects us to worship as he has commanded us—nothing less…and nothing more!
The writer of Hebrews understood that the silence of the scriptures is authoritative. Jesus understood that the silence of the scriptures is authoritative. Do you understand this? Or do you worship the Lord in vain?
Until next time, let me encourage you to search the scriptures daily, whether these things are so. Acts 17:11
May God bless you in your study of his Word.
Copyright 2006 Mance J. Davis Jr.
