Hebrews 6:20-20

Hebrews 6:10-12

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

God remembers. We can sometimes get discouraged by thinking that God forgets all we did for Him and His people, but He is just. He sees and remembers. People may forget our work and love, but God never will! we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end

The author encourages us, like a coach, to press on and imitate those who inherit – not earn God’s promises. If we fail to do this we can become sluggish. but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises

Imitate those who found the key to obtaining God’s promises – faith and patience, as demonstrated by , who the author will turn to next.

Hebrews 6:13-18

For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely

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blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Remember how long Abraham waited for God’s promise of a son? From the time God first called Abraham in Haran, when he was 75 years old, to the time when his “son of promise” was born, over 25 years went by. It is tempting to wonder whether God will really come through and just take things into our own hands. that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation

The two immutable (unchanging) things are God’s promise and God’s oath.

Strong Consolation as described by Spurgeon:

It is a strong consolation that can deal with outward trials when a man has poverty staring him in the face, and hears his little children crying for bread; when bankruptcy is likely to come upon him through unavoidable losses; when the poor man has just lost his wife, and his dear children have been put into the same grave; when one after another all earthly props and comforts have given 2

way, it needs a strong consolation then; not in your pictured trials, but your real trials, not in your imaginary whimsied afflictions, but in the real afflictions, and the blustering storms of life. To rejoice then, and say, ‘Though these things be not with me as I would have them, yet hath he made with me an everlasting covenant ordered in all things and sure;’ this is strong consolation. (Spurgeon) who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us

We can think of this refuge of hope like the cities of refuge commanded by the Law of , as described in Numbers 35. The city of refuge was a place where someone accused of a serious crime could go and be protected from revenge. is our refuge.

Hebrews 6:19-20

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of .

An anchor would have been a understandable symbol of hope in the 1st century. It is the idea that we are secured by something firm but unseen, like an anchor.

Like a ship, our anchor needs to be secured to the ocean floor, but also attached securely to our ship. Our anchor is Jesus. The rougher the weather, the more important the anchor becomes. But the time to test the connection of the anchor to the ship is not during rough weather. Our connection with Jesus must be maintained daily so that when the storms of life come, we are secure. 3 and which enters the Presence behind the veil 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus,

This is a reference to the High Priest who would enter into God’s presence in the Holy of Holies behind a curtain through only he could pass. Jesus was the forerunner who gives us direct access to the presence of God.

A forerunner (the ancient Greek word prodromos) was a military reconnaissance man. A forerunner goes forward, knowing that others will follow behind him. We should follow hard after Jesus, and run hard after Him. He has gone before us and He is our pattern. having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

The author of Hebrews is now going to expand Melchizedek and Jesus as our High Priest. Remember we first saw Melchizedek mentioned in chapter 5 where the author called Jesus a “High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Remember the Christians he is writing to in the book of Hebrews were from a Jewish background. Jesus did not fit the mold of a High Priest. He was not of the tribe of or the family of . In Chapter 7, the author is going to try to get these Christians to move beyond their intellectual problem with Jesus being our High Priest. This was preventing them from moving forward into mature Christians. We can get hung up on intellectual problems as well. Instead of concentrating on our relationship with Jesus, we can get distracted by issues like creationism and evolution.

Hebrews 7:1-3 4

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

We first meet Melchizedek in Genesis 14:18-20

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said:

“Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Kings who were once allies waged war in the Siddim Valley, and during this time, Abram’s nephew Lot was taken prisoner. Hearing of this, Abram sets out to reclaim his relative and his possessions. This is a great show of the power Abram had (see reference to his 318 trained fighting men), we sometimes forget the sheer amount of clout the man carried with him, but what is most important in this passage is that Melchizedek is clearly superior to Abram.

As Abram returned from his victory over Chedorlaomer, the King of Sodom, the King of Salem (an ancient name for the city of Jeru-salem) came to meet him. Melchizedek was this King of Salem and a priest of God Most High. While the king of Sodom seeks to wheel and deal over

5 the plunder Abram has just acquired, Melchizedek brings bread and wine with him and speaks a blessing over Abram. After receiving the blessing, the first recorded tithe is given to a priest showing his high rank.

Melchizedek was not merely a worshipper of the true God. He had the honored title priest of the Most High God.

First being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace”: The name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness,” and he was also “king of peace” (because the name Salem means “peace“).

Melchizedek is called “king of righteousness.“Then he is called “king of peace.“ As always, righteousness comes before peace. Righteousness is the only true path to peace. People look for peace in escape, in avoidance, or in compromise, but real peace is only found in righteousness. We have peace with God because Jesus first paid the price on the cross to make us right with God. We cannot have peace with God without Jesus on the cross to satisfy God’s righteousness. without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life

There is nothing said about the genealogy of Melchizedek in the Genesis 14 passage or anywhere else. Though commentators disagree with each other on this point, some think that without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God means that Melchizedek was a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Himself. but made like the Son of God, 6

It really isn’t that Jesus has Melchizedek’s kind of priesthood. Instead, Melchizedek has Jesus’ kind of priesthood. remains a priest continually.

Either this refers to the continuation of the priestly order of Melchizedek, or it is evidence that Melchizedek was actually Jesus appearing in the Old Testament. Jesus’ priesthood does remain to this day, and into eternity.

Hebrews 7:4-10

Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. 5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

While the priesthood received tithes according to the Law, Abraham voluntarily gave tithes to Melchizedek.

The “spoils” actually roughly translates to “the top of the heap.” When Abraham tithed to Melchizedek he literally “took it off the top.” It is an example of how we are to give the Lord our best.

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Because the whole tribe of Levi was genetically in the loins of Abraham when he did this, we see the Old Testament priesthood paying tithes to the priesthood of Melchizedek. This shows Melchizedek is in a position of authority over Abraham and his descendant Levi. the lesser is blessed by the better

Melchizedek was greater than Abraham because he blessed Abraham. On his part, Abraham accepted that Melchizedek was greater when Abraham received the blessing.

Hebrews 7:11

Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?

If perfection could come through the Levitical priesthood, there would be no need for another priesthood.

Psalms 110:4 Titled the “Announcement of Messiah’s Reign” speaks about Jesus

The Lord has sworn And will not relent, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”

The fact that God describes Jesus as a priest... according to the order of Melchizedek in shows there is something lacking in the priesthood according to the order of Aaron. God would not establish an unnecessary priesthood. 8

Jesus himself confirms that this passage of scripture is about him in :41-46. what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?

The Old Testament priesthood is the priesthood associated with the Law of Moses. The priesthood of Melchizedek is associated with Abraham, not with Moses.

Hebrews 7:12

For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.

God would never introduce a new priesthood if it were not necessary, and He would never introduce an inferior priesthood. The mere mention of the order of Melchizedek shows that God wanted the priesthood to be changed.

Hebrews 7:13-14

For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from , of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

Under the Law of Moses, God strictly commanded that only those from the family of Aaron could serve at the altar in sacrifice.

He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe: Jesus is obviously not from the family of Aaron or even the tribe of Levi. The

9 tribe of Judah (the tribe of Jesus’ lineage) had nothing to do with Aaron’s priesthood, the priesthood associated with the Law of Moses. Therefore according to the priesthood of Aaron and the Law of Moses, Jesus could never be a priest. If He is our High Priest, it must be under another principle.

Hebrews 7:15-17

And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies:

“You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.

Jesus’ priesthood is not based upon law or heredity (a fleshly commandment), but upon the power of God’s endless life.

You are a priest forever

This could only be said of Jesus the Messiah, not of the priest according to the lineage of Aaron. Among those who conspired to put Jesus to death, there were priests of the order of Aaron. But by the power of an endless life Jesus showed that His priesthood was superior when He triumphed over death.

Hebrews 7:18-19

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For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

In its weakness and unprofitableness, the law made nothing perfect. The law does a great job of setting God’s perfect standard but it does not give us the power to keep that standard. The law provides expert diagnosis of our sin problem, which is absolutely essential. But the law does not provide the cure to our sin problem. Only Jesus can save us from our sin problem. on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

We are wrong to go back to building our Christian walk on the law. Therefore the law is “annulled” or set aside in the sense that it no longer is the principle of our life, especially of our relationship with God.

The law does not give you a better hope. The law does not draw you near to God the way God’s grace given in Jesus does. an annulling of the former commandment… bringing in of a better hope

The author of Hebrews comes to the same conclusion about the law as Paul did in Galatians 3:19-25, but he gets there in a totally different way. In Galatians, Paul says the law is a tutor that brings us to Jesus. In Hebrews the law is associated with a priesthood that has been made obsolete by a superior priesthood.

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Because we have a better priesthood and a better High Priest, we also have a better hope and draw near to God. Our hope is in Jesus, not in the Law of Moses or in our ability to keep it.

Hebrews 7:20-21

And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

“The Lord has sworn And will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek’ ”),

Jesus was made High Priest by the oath of God as we read in Psalms 110:4 The Lord has sworn and will not relent, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” for they have become priests without an oath

The high priest of the order of Aaron was appointed by heredity, not by personal character or by an oath of God.

Hebrews 7:22

by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

The ancient Greek word translated surety (egguos) described someone who gave security, who cosigned a loan to guarantee payment, or put up bail for a prisoner. Jesus Himself is the guarantee of a better covenant.

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The Old Covenant had a mediator (Moses), but no one to guarantee the people’s side of the covenant. Therefore they continually failed under it. But the New Covenant – a better covenant – has a cosigner to guarantee it on our behalf. Therefore, the New Covenant depends on what Jesus did, not on what we do. He is the surety and we are not.

Hebrews 7:23-25

Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

There were many priests under the Law of Moses. Some were better than others, but Jesus has an unchangeable priesthood. We do not have to worry about a “bad priest” coming along like the Jews did. Remember Aaron’s son’s unauthorized fire in Leviticus 10:1-2

Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.

Or Eli’s wicked sons in 1 2:12-17

Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord. 13 And the priests’ custom with the people was that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come with a three-pronged fleshhook in his hand while the meat was boiling. 14 Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or 13

caldron, or pot; and the priest would take for himself all that the fleshhook brought up. So they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. 15 Also, before they burned the fat, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who sacrificed, “Give meat for roasting to the priest, for he will not take boiled meat from you, but raw.”

16 And if the man said to him, “They should really burn the fat first; then you may take as much as your heart desires,” he would then answer him, “No, but you must give it now; and if not, I will take it by force.”

17 Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord, for men abhorred[f] the offering of the Lord.

He is also able to save to the uttermost

The unchanging nature of Jesus’ priesthood means that the salvation He gives is also unchanging, permanent, and secure. Because He is our High Priest forever, He can save forever.

He always lives to make intercession for them.

It strengthens us to know that Jesus prays for us, and that He ever lives to pray for us. This is tremendous encouragement to anyone who feels like giving up.

Jesus’ intercession on our behalf is not a matter of calming an angry Father God who wants to destroy us. It is not continually chanting prayers on our behalf. It means that He continually represents us before the Father so that we can draw near to God through Him, and that He defends us against Satan’s accusations and attacks.

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Luke 22:31-32 gives an example of Jesus’ intercession for His people:

Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.

Hebrews 7:26-28

For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

The priests under the Law of Moses did not have the personal character of the Son of God. Jesus is holy, harmless (without guile or deception), undefiled, separate from sinners (in the sense of not sharing in their sin). Jesus is far superior in His personal character than any earthly priest.

Two facts prove the perfect character of Jesus. First, His exaltation in heaven. Second, that He did not need to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins – which the other priests needed to do daily. when He offered up Himself

This is totally unique. A priest may bring a sacrifice and offer it on the altar. But Jesus was both the priest and the sacrifice. This is the best sacrifice brought to God the Father by the best priest.

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For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

Under the Law of Moses the priests were always men with weaknesses. But Jesus is a Son who has been perfected forever. Because He is a perfect High Priest, He was able to offer up Himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sin. Jesus is perfectly qualified to be our perfect High Priest – perfected forever.

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