Heb. 7:1-10, The Order of Melchizedek

Now, for several chapters, we will study the basic argument of Hebrews.  It has to do with our High Priest and His better ministry built on a better sacrifice.  Let’s review what we already know about Jesus, our High Priest.

·       Heb. 2:17-18: Though He was God He became Man, made like His brethren.  He did this so He could make “propitiation” for them (satisfy God’s righteous anger) and He could help them, being acquainted with their weaknesses.

·       Heb. 4:14: Jesus is a “great” High Priest because of who He is (Jesus, the Son of God) and because of what He did (passed through the heavens).

·       Heb. 5:1-11: He was appointed by God to be High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. That is where we pick up the theme here in Heb. 7. 

Who was Melchizedek and what was special about him?  He makes one brief appearance in Gen. 14:16-20.  Here’s what was important about Melchizedek.

ü He was King of Salem, the early name of “Jerusalem.”  Salem is shalom (peace) meaning Melchizedek is also “King of Peace.”

ü He was Priest of the Most High God, a name of God used to speak of His superiority to all other gods.

ü He met Abraham returning from rescuing Lot and the people of Sodom who had been taken captive (Gen. 14:1-15).  Abraham gave him a tenth of all the spoil.

ü The name means “King” (Melchi) of Righteousness (Zedek).”

ü The point of Heb. 7:3 is that none of these things (geneology, birth or death) are recorded in Genesis.  Some believe Melchizedek was Jesus in a “pre-incarnate” appearance, which could be.  Heb. 7:3 says he was “made like the Son of God” in that he remains a priest continually.  I see Melchizedek as being a “type” of Christ, a pre-figuring example of what Christ would be.

Thus, the first thing is that Melchizedek is like Christ.  Meditate on this.  Christ is all these things.  Furthermore, Melchizedek is “priest” and “king.”  God is the One who makes a big deal out of this in Psalm 110:4, which was quoted in Heb. 5:6 and 7:17: The LORD has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’.  He said this of His Son.  Having made the comparison of Christ and Melchizedek in v1-3, the Spirit now describes the greatness of Melchizedek by contrasting him with Levi in 7:4-10.

ü Melchizedek received tithes from Abraham (v4-6a).  In other words, as priest of the Most High God, Melchizedek accepted Abraham’s worship of God.   

ü Melchizedek blessed Abraham (v6b-8).  The one who blesses another is, obviously, greater than the one being blessed.

ü Melchizedek received tithes from Levi who was in the loins of Abraham (v9-10). 

This was God’s plan from the beginning, that we might have a High Priest who could bring us into a relationship with Him.