Hebrews 7:1-10

Intro John 2:10

The book of Hebrews has several key themes to remember:

Life’s top priority is to live by faith

Jesus knows our weaknesses, and we have assurance that he will accept us

Every Christian is a priest, with sacrifices of witness, worship, and love to God

God deserves service and obedience (and gives the grace to do it)

Christians encourage one another, and hold one another accountable

How does comparing Jesus to a guy who only got a couple of verses in the OT change my life?

Do people in greater authority bless you?

Genealogy is important in the Bible. Does it matter for people today?

What does the average person think gets them into heaven (if they do)?

In one of the few New Testament passages referencing tithing directly, the author of Hebrews wants to show how Jesus, who was not a priest by birth, is part of a better priesthood than those under the Law.

Hebrews 7:1–10 CSB

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace. Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. Now consider how great this man was: even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the plunder to him. The sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command according to the law to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers and sisters—though they have also descended from Abraham. But one without this lineage collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. Without a doubt, the inferior is blessed by the superior. In the one case, men who will die receive a tenth, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives. And in a sense Levi himself, who receives a tenth, has paid a tenth through Abraham, for he was still within his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

Hebrews 7:1 CSB

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings,

Hebrews 7:2 CSB

and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace.

Hebrews 7:3 CSB

Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

Hebrews 7:4 CSB

Now consider how great this man was: even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the plunder to him.

Hebrews 7:5 CSB

The sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a command according to the law to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers and sisters—though they have also descended from Abraham.

Levites take from equals.

Hebrews 7:6 CSB

But one without this lineage collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.

If Abraham was so great (and, for sure, he is the father to all who believe, Rom. 4:16), there must be someone greater in status … closer to God. There was only one person, the king of righteousness and peace, no beginning and no end (recorded), the high priest Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:7–8 CSB

Without a doubt, the inferior is blessed by the superior. In the one case, men who will die receive a tenth, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives.

Psalm 110:4 says that the order of Melchizedek is is forever, so the issue isn’t whether the man Melchizedek died (Jesus died!), but that the type of priest has the power of indestructible life. This is consistent with the Genesis 14 story.

Hebrews 7:9–10 CSB

And in a sense Levi himself, who receives a tenth, has paid a tenth through Abraham, for he was still within his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

Application

Genesis 15:1 CSB

After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great.

Abraham

We should be like Abraham, giving our tithe and worship to “God Most High” through our High Priest who is in the order of Melchizedek.