The Epistle to the Hebrews
Chapter 7
Melchizedek in the Bible TrutH
Biblical Melchizedek Bible Quest
It's a pleasure to have you back to share more Daily Bread. We're
just about halfway through our study of the Book of Hebrews now, and
so far, we can see that Paul is showing the believing Jewish people
that Jesus is above all that they formerly considered most holy in
their beliefs. Angels, Moses, the priesthood, the Old Testament or
law ... None of these compare to the holiness, the love, and the
superiority of Christ.
The Hebrews were familiar with a king who was mentioned in only two
different places in the Old Testament, and you may remember that Paul
mentioned him, Melchizedek, in Chapters 5 & 6 of this letter. Now
he goes on to tell a little more about this King Melchizedek and how
he relates to Jesus Christ.
Melchizedek was King of Salem. Here's a tiny little Daily Bread Crumb
for you. Did you know that Salem is an ancient name for Jerusalem
? This King Melchizedek was also priest of the most high God, who
met Abraham returning from the slaughter of five kings and blessed
him. (You can read this story about the slaughter of the kings in
Daily Bread's Genesis study called Abraham
and Lot. Abraham gave Melchizedek tithes, or a tenth part of all
the loot from the battle. That means that giving tithes of one tenth
was practiced before the law was given to Moses.
Paul gives this description of the king:
Hebrews 7:1-3
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most
high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings,
and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first
being by interpretation [the first meaning of Melchizedek's name is]
King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem [and since
he was King of Salem it has a second meaning], which is, King of
peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having
neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the
Son of God; abideth a priest continually. [There was no record of his
mom or dad or birth or death.]
Melchizedek in the Bible Facts
Biblical Melchizedek Bible Mystery
What do you find interesting about this description? Is it that Paul
capitalized the word King each time, and the only other King who has
a capital letter in His title in the Bible is Jesus? Or is it that he
had no father, mother, or ancestors? Or maybe that he had no birth or
death? Or perhaps you might find it interesting that he was made like
unto Jesus and remains a priest forever? Was Melchizedek an angel? He
was definitely a "shadow" of Jesus. Paul continues:
Now consider how great this man was, even Abraham gave the tenth of
the spoils (loot) to. And truly the sons of Levi, who are called to
the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take
tithes of their brethren according to the law:
Numbers 18:21
And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel
for an inheritance, for their service which they serve,
even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, but still received
tithes of Abraham, and blessed him (Abraham) who had received God's
promises.
Melchizedek in the Bible Questions
Biblical Melchizedek Bible Answers
There is no question that the one who blesses is greater than the one
who is blessed. And the Jewish priests who were mortal received
tithes; but we are told that Melchizedek lives on. Also, Levi was not
even born yet, but was still within Abraham, so the one who receives
tithes (Levi) actually paid tithes through Abraham to Melchizedek.
So if everything was perfect by the Levitical priesthood (because
under it, the people received the law), what further need was there
that another priest should rise after the order [rank] of
Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
If you recall from Chapter 6, Paul said that the first one to enter
into that within the veil was Jesus, made an high priest for ever
after the order of Melchizedek. Let me help you understand this a
little better. In the Tabernacle, there was the place called the most
holy place that was described in our last study of Chapter 6. And in
the Temple of Solomon, there was the place called the Holy of Holies,
where God's presence was. You may remember from the Gospel of John
1:18 that John the Baptist said that no man has ever seen God,
but the Son has declared Him.
Diagram of the Temple of Solomon
In the Tabernacle and in the Temple nobody but the High Priests
entered the Holy Place or the Holy of Holies. They were covered with
a veil (Exodus
26:33 and 2
Chronicles 3:14). Now, if you open up your Bible to Matthew
27:51, you'll see that as Jesus died, the veil of the temple was
torn in two from the top to the bottom, so, just as Paul said, Jesus
was the first one to go within the veil. Now, let's get back to
Paul's letter.
Melchizedek in the Bible Reason
Biblical Melchizedek Bible Hope
Being that the priesthood was changed from Levitical to Jesus it was
also necessary to change the law. Because He (Jesus) of whom these
things are spoken, belongs to another tribe, a tribe from which no
man served at the altar.
This change of the law is clear since our Lord sprang out of Judah;
of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. And it is
still far more clear: the power of a life which has no end. Because
Jesus was made a priest, like Melchizedek, who has come, not by human
rules and regulations, but through the power of a life that has no
end.
For He testified, (God spoke through David):
Psalms 110:4
Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Melchizedek in the Bible and Jesus
Biblical Melchizedek Bible Covenant
So, the first order of priests was temporary, but Jesus as High
Priest is eternal. The Christian Hebrews, needed this explained
thoroughly, because formerly being so fervent about the law and the
Old Testament, and having the majority of the Jewish people still
unconvinced that Jesus
was indeed the Messiah, they needed the Truth spelled out because
their Faith was constantly being questioned by their unbelieving kin
folk.
So the old system of the priesthood remaining with the heritage of
the Levites was canceled. It never made anyone really right with God.
But now we have a far better hope, because Christ makes us acceptable
to God, and now we may draw near to Him.
The Levite priests were not made with an oath;
but Jesus was made priest with this oath by God, The Lord promised
and will not change His mind ...
Psalms 110:4
Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Because of God's oath, Christ can guarantee forever the success of
this new and better promise.
Melchizedek in the Bible Promise
Biblical Melchizedek Bible Vow
You see, again, Paul emphasizes how a promise makes things more
concrete, more permanent, and gives you more comfort.
Hebrews 7:23-25
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not
suffered [allowed] to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man [Jesus], because He continueth ever [lives
forever], hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost
[completely] that come unto God by [through] Him, seeing He ever
liveth to make intercession for them.
Jesus for ever intercedes for us, but in the Old Testament, once the
high priest dies, they can no longer pray for those they are offering
or sacrificing for.
Hebrews 7:26-28
26 For such an high priest became [suited, behooved] us,
who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made
higher than the Heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer
up sacrifice, first for His own sins, and then for the people's: for
this He did once, when He offered up Himself.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have
infirmity [are weak]; but the word of the oath, which was since [came
about after] the law, maketh [appoints] the Son, who is consecrated
[perfect] for evermore.
Melchizedek in the Bible Conclusion
Biblical Melchizedek Bible Summary
Join in again soon as we study the second half of this letter from
Paul to the Hebrews, right here at Daily Bread.
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