I was reading in Hebrews 7 and my eye settled on this:

Hebrews 7:28 (HCSB) For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, ⌊appoints⌋ a Son, who has been perfected forever.

The “promise of the oath, which came after the law.” What was this? I initially focused on “promise” and thought of Gen 12, the promise that was fulfilled in the New Covenant. But that promise preceded the law by 400 years.

Ah – I was distracted. It was the oath which came after the law, not the promise.

Which oath? Not this one: Hebrews 6:13 (HCSB) “For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself.” Nope, same problem.

It is this oath, which comes from Psalms 110:4 Hebrews 7:17 (HCSB) “For it has been testified: You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” Further emphasized here Hebrews 7:20-21 (HCSB) “None of this ⌊happened⌋ without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, but He became a priest with an oath made by the One who said to Him: The Lord has sworn, and He will not change His mind, You are a priest forever.”

Promise fulfilled by an oath that could not be broken. Hail Jesus, high priest of His people; King of glory; and judge of all flesh.