Hebrews 7:1-28
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people —that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. For it is declared:
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”
The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:
“The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind:
‘You are a priest forever.’”
Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
Devotion
Just another reminder that the superiority of the priesthood of Christ is the subject at hand. The argument for the superiority of Christ’s priesthood develops first with proof that Melchizedek was greater than Abraham. This proves that Melchizedek’s priestly order was superior to Aaron’s. Aaron being a descendent of the inferior Abraham. The argument then proceeds to show the weakness of the Levitical order as compared with the perfectness of the priesthood of Christ.
In verses 1-10, the writer conveys the truth concerning the superiority of Melchizedek over Levi. Melchizedek is referred to as a “priest of the Most High.” Even though his identity is a mystery to many, there is no doubt he was a true priest of the One, true God. The record of Melchizedek contains no genealogy. Genealogical proof was essential for service in the Levitical priesthood. It appears as if Melchizedek always was and always would be a priest. Whether or not this is actually the case is uncertain.
In verses 11-25, the writer focuses on the superiority of Christ over Levi. The superiority of Christ is shown here in the simple fact that the Levitical priesthood was replaced by the Melchizedekian priesthood of Christ, which would not have been necessary, had the Levitical order been perfect. The superiority of Christ is shown by the fact that the Levitical priesthood was based merely on a law of physical requirement, while Christ’s priesthood was based upon the power of an indestructible life. This qualified Christ to be a Melchizedekian priest. The superiority of Christ is also shown by the fact that the Law which appointed the Levites as priests was a weak law as compared with the New Covenant which Christ enacted.
The superiority of Christ is also shown by the fact that death prevented the former priests from continuing, while Jesus abides forever, therefore He is able to hold a perpetual priesthood. Death won’t stop Him from ministering as our High Priest.
The writer closes out this section by listing the qualities of our superior High Priest. In his commentary on the book of Hebrews, Pastor Bob Shirock provides a list of these qualities: Holiness, Innocence, Undefiled, Sanctified, Exaltedness, Finished Work, Sonship, Perfectness, and Eternality. Because Christ is our superior High Priest, the salvation which Christ mediates is complete!
Questions to Ponder
What does the record concerning Melchizedek imply concerning the worship of God during the days of Abraham? Read Malachi 1:6-2:9. At the close of the Old Testament era, what was the condition of the priesthood? What principle does Hebrews 7 give us concerning the formation and use of any priesthood today as a means of approaching God? How can you profit from Christ’s superior priesthood?
Prayer Points
- Praise and exalt the Lord for being holy, perfect, eternal, pure and spotless Lamb of God.
- Worship Him as Son of God and Son of Man, Ancient of Days, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, our Savior, Lord and Redeemer.
- Thank Him for being sympathetic, merciful, faithful, full of grace and truth.
- Thank the Lord that because of His precious blood we can draw near to God and go right into the holy of holies.
Suggested Prayer
Holy Father,
Thank You for making a way for us to draw near to You through the perfect and precious blood of Jesus Christ. Thank You for eternal life with You, thank You for this free gift of salvation that was so costly to You. Thank You for securing me in You by sealing me with Your Holy Spirit, never to leave or forsake me. Thank You that I have been born again in Your family and no longer born by the will of my earthly father, but born by the will of my Heavenly Father. Help me and Your church Lord to remember all that You have done and all that You want to do in and through us. Help us by Your Holy Spirit to encourage one another and call each other upward. Help us to shine Your light to those around us who don’t know You yet. Lead us today Abba I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ, amen.