A New Priest for a New Covenant (Hebrews 7-8)

The logic of the proceeding chapters seem to coalesce around chapters 7-8.

Here, author further discusses Melchizedek.  For instance, we do not know much about him as a person.  Yet, Melchizedek was greater than Abraham because Abraham gave him a 10% as a tithe.  This became the standard for the Levite priests to collect.  Indirectly, Levi paid homage to Melchizedek because Levi was still within Abraham.

The author of Hebrews likens Jesus to Melchizedek in connection with Psalm 110.

The author transitions to since there is a change in priesthood, there must be a change in the law.  This is the New Covenant, as outlined in 8.

The New Covenant is characterized by the following:

1.  An individual personal knowledge (i.e., relationship) God (v. 11, "they will all know me")
2.  People's hearts will change and God's laws will be written on their hears (v. 10)
3.  It makes the "Old" Covenant obsolete.  (v. 13)

Some implications of this that come to my mind.

First, Christians still disagree about what is "Old Covenant" and what is "New Covenant".  In other words, what laws, principles, or examples in the Old Testament are applicable today?  It is a very common disagreement among Christians.

Second, we can infer a causality relationship from the writing of the laws on the heart and personal relationship with God.  Inviting God into one's life is a step into having the laws written on one's heart.  This is what I think of when the New Testament authors write of "fruits of the Holy Spirit".