In Part 2 of The Priestly Shift Series, Dr. Kenny Russell reveals Yeshua as the Bridegroom of Sinai and eternal High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. Discover how the marriage covenant at Sinai, the fall into the Levitical system, and the Cross all connect in one continuous story of redemption and restored relationship. Study the Scriptures listed above and see how the Bridegroom King is calling His people back into covenant love and royal priesthood.
Part 2 The Bridegroom, the Priesthood, and the Promise - Yeshua the Covenant Husband
From Sinai to the Cross, the same divine Bridegroom, YHVH revealed in Yeshua, has been calling His people into covenant. The priesthoods, covenants, and promises all point to the restoration of the original Melchizedek order through Messiah.
1️⃣ Yeshua Was the Bridegroom at Sinai
At Mount Sinai, Israel entered a marriage covenant with YHVH, the very Word who would later become flesh (John 1:1-14).
• Exodus 19:3-5 “If you obey Me fully and keep My covenant…”
• Exodus 6:7 “I will take you as My own people.”
• Isaiah 54:5 “For your Maker is your Husband.”
• Jeremiah 2:2 “The devotion of your youth, as a bride you loved Me.”
• John 1:1, 14 “The Word was God… The Word became flesh.”
• John 8:58 “Before Abraham was, I AM.”
• 1 Corinthians 10:4 “The Rock was Messiah.”
• Romans 7:2-4 Through His death the Husband died, releasing Israel to enter a New Covenant.
It was the pre-incarnate Word who covenanted with Israel. At Calvary, the same Bridegroom fulfilled the Torah’s marriage law - dying and rising to unite Jew and Gentile into one redeemed Bride.
2️⃣ The Covenant at Sinai Was Melchizedek in Order - Before the Golden Calf
Intended Order:
“You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Exodus 19:6
Before sin entered, Israel was called to the Melchizedek pattern, royal-priestly access to God without Levitical mediation (see Genesis 14:18-20).
The Shift after the Calf:
When Israel worshiped the golden calf (Exodus 32), the priesthood changed from firstborn to Levi (Exodus 32:26; Deuteronomy 10:8).
This Levitical order became a temporary administration to manage sin until Messiah restored direct access.
Galatians 3:24 “The law was put in charge to lead us to Christ.”
Hebrews 7:11 “If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood… why was there still need for another priest?”
3️⃣ Misunderstood ‘Forever’ Verses about the Levitical Priesthood
Hebrew עוֹלָם (olam) often means “for an age” or “until the appointed time.”
These verses describe continuity within the Mosaic covenant, not eternity.
Passage Common Assumption Correct Context Fulfillment in Messiah
Exodus 29:9 Eternal Levitical rule For the age of Moses Ended at the Cross (Heb 9:10)
Exodus 40:15 Everlasting generations Limited to Aaron’s line Heb 7:12 – law and priesthood changed
Numbers 25:13 Phinehas eternal priesthood Within Levitical system Heb 8:13 – old made obsolete
Leviticus 16:34 Perpetual atonement day Until fulfillment Heb 9:12; 10:10 – once for all
1 Chron 23:13 Aaron forever Worship of that era Superseded by heavenly tabernacle
Malachi 2:4-8 Unbroken Levi covenant Conditional — priests failed Yeshua restores true priesthood
Psalm 110:4 — Anchor text of transition Messiah = Eternal Melchizedek
4️⃣ Yeshua Restores the Original Priesthood
Through His death and resurrection, Yeshua reinstated the Melchizedek order permanently:
Psalm 110:4 “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 7:23-24 “He lives forever and has a permanent priesthood.”
This fulfills Exodus 19:6 and extends the priestly calling to
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