Hebrews Lesson 8: Bigger, better, brighter, bolder The Mysterious

The Priesthood of Melchizedek ▲The majestic ministry of Melchizedek 7:1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. ▲The meaning of Melchizedek 7:2 First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” ▲The meeting with Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17-21) 7:1 He met returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, ▲The money and Melchizedek 7:2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. –––– 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 who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, their brothers—even though their brothers 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 person is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by men 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. 1. Abraham tithed to Melchizedek and was blessed by Melchizedek, establishing Melchizedek as greater than Abraham. 2. Abraham is greater than Levi and greater than the Levitical priesthood, because he is their ancestor. 3. Therefore, the priesthood of Melchizedek is greater than the Levitical priesthood. (If A>B and B>C, then A>C) ▲The mystery of Melchizedek 7:3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. The Priesthood from ▲The institution of the Levitical priesthood ►Their ancestry 7:11 the Levitical priesthood –––– in the order of ►Their appointment 7:20 Others became priests without any oath, ►Their abbreviation 7:23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; ▲The insufficiency of the Levitical priesthood ►Those were imperfect servants and sacrifices 7:27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. –––– 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; ►That was an insufficient system for securing salvation 7:11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), 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 there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law. –––– 18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), The Priesthood of Messiah ▲’ ancient ancestry 7:13 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 , 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, ▲Jesus’ ancient appointment ►Jesus’ appointment as High Priest involved a prophetic oath (from ’s prophecy in ) Psalm 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

5:5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.’” 6 And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

6:20 He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

7:20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” 22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. ►Jesus’ appointment as High Priest instituted a permanent order 7:15 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.” –––– 7:23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. ►Jesus’ appointment as High Priest initiated a perfect officer 7:26 Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. ▲Jesus’ awesome atonement ►That was a comprehensive sacrifice 7:27 He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. ►This is a convincing summons 7:19 and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. ►This is a complete salvation 7:24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Melchizedek in the Scriptures

Genesis 14:17-21 Circa 1900 BC 17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.”

Psalm 110 Circa 1000 BC Of David. A psalm.

1 The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” 2 The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies. 3 Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth. 4 The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 5 The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. 6 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth. 7 He will drink from a brook beside the way; therefore he will lift up his head.

►Psalm 110 is a messianic psalm, a prophecy about the coming Savior who would serve as both King and Priest. ►Jesus applied Psalm 110 to himself in Matthew 22:42-45, Mark 12:35-37, and Luke 20:41-44, referring to the mystery that Christ is both descendant and Lord of David. ►Peter applied Psalm 110 to Jesus in his Pentecost sermon in Acts 2:29-36, noting that David prophesied of Jesus’ exaltation. ►Hebrews applied Psalm 110 to Jesus, referring to Psalm 110 in Chapters 1, 5, 6, and 7, noting that David prophesied of Christ’s exaltation and priestly ministry. ►Psalm 110, written by David around 1000 BC, mysteriously connects the ancient story of Melchizedek from around 1900 BC, to the Messiah who would come.

Hebrews 5:5-10 Circa 30-90 AD 5:5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.’” 6 And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

5:7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 6:19–7:28 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

7:1 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, his name 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, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever.

7:4 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, their brothers—even though their brothers 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 person is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by men 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.

7:11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), 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 there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law. 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.”

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

7:20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”

7:22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

7:23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

7:26 Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Tithing (giving the first tenth to God) throughout the Scriptures 1. Tithing was covenantal for the patriarchs –– Genesis 14:20 (Abraham) Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. Genesis 28:22 (Jacob) Of all that you give me I will give you a tenth. 2. Tithing was codified in the Law of Moses –– Leviticus 27:30 A tithe of everything…belongs to the LORD… 3. Tithing was commanded by the prophets –– Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… 4. Tithing was commanded in the Proverbs –– Proverbs 3:9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits… 5. Tithing was confirmed by the Lord Jesus –– Luke 11:42 You give God a tenth…you should have… 6. Tithing was commended in Hebrews –– :2 Abraham gave him a tenth of everything.