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Melchizedek

In Hebrews 5 the writer quotes from the OT in saying about Jesus

Hebrews 5:6 NASB95

6 just as He says also in another passage, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”

So who is this guy?

Genesis 14:18–20 NASB95

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He gave him a tenth of all.

That’s it.

Abram becomes Abraham

Abraham has Ishmael and Issac.

Issac has Esau and Jacob

Jacob become Israel.

Israel has 12 sons. one of whom is Levi……

400 years later Moses is given the law and in the Law the descendants of Levi are designated as the priests.

Aaron - Moses’ brother (a Levite) is made the first High Priest.

According to the law: Only Levite men are made priests; and only descendants of Aaron can be High Priests.

1000 years later: King David wrote in Psalm 110.

Psalm 110:1 NASB95

1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

Where is Jesus?

Psalm 110:2–4 NASB95

2 The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” 3 Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew. 4 The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”

WHY WOULD DAVID BRING THIS UP? WHO IS THIS GUY?

Hebrews 7:1–4 NASB95

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually. 4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.

The writer of Hebrews is writing to a Jewish audience. Jews who became followers of Jesus, but also who were under tremendous pressure to abandon their faith in Christ and return to the Law.

And so, the writer Hebrews seeks to show the Superiority of Christ in every way to the Law.

Priesthood of Christ vs. Levitical Priesthood

Priesthood of Christ according to David

according to the Order of Melchizedek.

No genealogy:

No beginning or end.

Abraham tithed to him.

Abraham was blessed by him.

So the writer is making the point that the Priesthood of Melchizedek is above the Levitical Priesthood.

Tithes:

Hebrews 7:9–10 NASB95

9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

CHRIST:

Hebrews 7:11 NASB95

11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?

If the Law is best, why did David write that his descendant would be according to the order of Melchizedek?

The law didn’t save anyone. It only showed their need for a savior.

Hebrews 7:12 NASB95

12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.

Jesus couldn’t be a Priest according to the Law.

Hebrews 7:14 NASB95

14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.

He is the Lion of Judah.

King and Priest.

like Melchizedek.

The Jewish priests were priests because of their lineage:

Hebrews 7:21 NASB95

21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, “The Lord has sworn And will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever’ ”);

Conclusion:

Hebrews 7:22 NASB95

22 so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

Final argument:

Hebrews 7:23–24 NASB95

23 The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.

Purpose:

Purpose of a Priest.

Hebrews 7:25 NASB95

25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.