A Study on the Book of Hebrews

“If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? ¹² For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. ¹³ He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. ¹⁴ For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. ¹⁵ And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, ¹⁶ one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.¹⁷ For it is declared:

“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”

¹⁸ The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless¹⁹ (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:11-19

Ray Stedman explains that “The argument of Hebrews 7:11-19 constitutes a bold, and even radical, declaration by the writer. This section asserts unequivocally that the death and resurrection of Jesus has introduced a new and permanent priesthood that brings the Levitical priesthood to an end and, with it, the demise of the law of Moses. It is important to note in Hebrews 7:11-12 that the law was originally given to support the priesthood, not the other way around. The priesthood and the tabernacle with its sacrifices were the means God employed to render the sinful people acceptable to himself. They constituted the shadow of Jesus in the Old Testament. Then the law was given with its sharp demands to awaken the people to their true condition so that they might avail themselves of the sacrifices. (Hebrews 7:11-19 commentary, Precept Austin)

The purpose of the Old Testament priesthood was to reconcile men to God by sacrificing animals for their sins. But this priesthood could only “represent” our reconciliation — it could not actually cleanse our sin. For the cleansing of our sin, we all need some other kind of sacrifice for the reconciliation. As such, the Old Testament system was not able to take away sin. It was imperfect – though for the time it served its purpose. Some “thing” or “person” was needed to see to it that people had full access to G-d.

This is the purpose that Jesus fulfilled through the cross. Jesus went to the cross and took on our sins and won for us our reconciliation to G-d – in other words, Jesus fulfills the law – and is our permanent priest and advocate to G-d…..thanks be to G-d.

Pastor Dave

A Study on the Book of Hebrews

“This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,² and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” ³ Without father or mother, without genealogy,without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

⁴ Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! ⁵ Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham.⁶ This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. ⁷ And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. ⁸ In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. ⁹ One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, ¹⁰ because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.” Hebrews 7:1-10

“Everything about him is on a scale majestic and sublime. Melchizedek seems to have been, first by name, and then by place of office, doubly designated a king. First, his name is Melchizedek , which signifies by interpretation, “king of righteousness.” His personal name is “king of righteousness.” As a matter of fact, he was also the monarch of some town called Salem. It is not at all likely to have been Jerusalem, although that may have been the case. The interpretation of his official name is “king of peace.” He was one who worshiped God after the primitive fashion, a believer in God such as Job was in the land of Uz, one of the world’s gray fathers who had kept faithful to the Most High God. He combined in his own person the kingship and the priesthood; a conjunction by no means unusual in the first ages.” (Spurgeon on Melchizedek, Hebrews 7:1-3 commentary, Precept Austin)

Melchizedek’s name is interpreted as “King of Righteousness” and “King of Peace”. Even though he appears just briefly in the Old Testament, his presence is one that continues into our own discussion about Christ. There was something about him that rendered a profound response from Abraham – Melchizedek blessed Abraham, and Abraham gave him a tenth of his plunder. There was no need for Abraham to do this – it was his response to the “King of Righteousness”.

Jesus is our “King of Righteousness”, and he is the one we are called to give a tenth – of our time, talents and resources. Of course, just like Melchizedek, there is something about Jesus that should render a profound response from us – oh yes, it was the fact that he took on our sins by dying on the cross, and, through the cross event, has borne the sins of all people.

And yet, often we hesitate in our response – we look to whether we have the time, the talent or the treasure to spare on this “King”. Is that how we are to show a profound response to Jesus – to give what we have left – rather than what is due?

Pastor Dave