Turn your eyes upon Jesus: The High Priest and King

Hebrews 7:1-10

Hebrews 7:1–10 HCSB

For this Melchizedek— King of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who 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 — 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—though they have also descended from Abraham. But one without this lineage collected tenths 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 tenths, but in the other case, Scripture testifies that he lives. And in a sense Levi himself, who receives tenths, has paid tenths through Abraham, for he was still within his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

Opening Remarks

Fact checking: Uses not abuses historical documents to present the case.

Hermeneutics - Interpretation method

Literal, historical, grammatical (Confined and bounded to the text)

Allegorical, symbolical (No Boundaries, non-confining)

Old Testament: Genesis 14: and Psalm 110

Comparing two different lineages and two different time periods

The lineage of Melchizedek

The lineage of Aaron

The time period before the Law and the institution of the Priest

The time period after the Law and the institution of the Priest

The revelation of the false dichotomy in modern interpretation between head and heart thinking.

Evidences: Direct, Circumstantial, Physical, and Testimony

Presentation of the Evidence

Direct: Genesis 14:17-20

Melchizedek

Abraham

Circumstantial:

Moses

Levi

Tithes/Blessings

Physical:

Materials of the spoils/plunder

Testimony:

The man who wrote the letter to the Hebrews

King of Salem

Righteousness

Peace

Resembles Son of God

Priest of El Elyon (God Most High)

Examination

Without proper thinking, we will be overwhelmed by the pagan culture surrounding us.