Melchizedek Foreshadows Christ Part 1: Heb. 7:1-10

I. The Foreshadowing of Christ by Titles vs. 1-2

A. We first see Melchizedek in Gen. 14:17-21. He is only mentioned one other time in the Old Testament.

Gen. 14:17-21 “Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He gave him a tenth of all. The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself.””

Ps. 110:4 “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.””

B. His name means King of righteousness. Jesus who is king of kings and Lord of Lord’s , also is the King of righteousness.

I John 2:1 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;”

C. Jesus bestows righteousness Rom. 3:21-22

Romans 3:21–22 NASB95

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

D. King of Peace, because He is called the Prince of Peace.

Isa. 9:6-7 “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.”

E. Jesus bestows peace.

John 14:27 ““Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

II. The Foreshadowing of Christ by Blessing vs. 1b

A. Melchizedek blessed Abraham. In order to give a blessing you must have been greater.

B. Jesus blesses us with every Spiritual blessing.

Eph. 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,”

C. He gives good physical gifts too.

Matt. 7:11 ““If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”

III. The Foreshadowing by Tithing vs. 2-10

A. Abraham gave to a superior priesthood, because a tithe showed that the tither gave to their superior.

B. Melchizedek’s priesthood is greater because he didn’t inherit it. It is not that he was an angel, or a theophany (pre-incarnate Christ), but that to lack of record of his genealogy is a picture of Christ being self-existing.

John 1:1-3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”

C. Unlike the Levitical priest who only could serve for 30 years, Melchizedek and Jesus’ priesthood was continuous. This has led some to believe that Melchizedek was a title like Pharoah, but there is no evidence to prove that.

D. The writer uses the Hebrew argument that said you were inside your descendants, so therefore Abraham by way of tithing shows Melchizedek was superior to Levi.

E. Melchizedek like Jesus is both priest and king. David like Jesus was a prophet and king. Pictures or types only can go so far. But Jesus’ priesthood like Melchizedek’s is superior.