Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Hebrews 7 - The Significance of Melchizedek

Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

(See Suzanne's post on Hebrews 7)
Oh, the beauty of a logical argument!  That little part of me that loves to see precept built upon precept just wants to stand on a chair and applaud the logic in Hebrews 7.

For, after declaring for the second time that Jesus is a high priest of the order of Melchizedek, the author now sets about to explain just exactly what that means.

First, he tells us a bit about Melchizedek...

He emphasizes that Abraham recognized the holiness of Melchizedek and gave him a tithe of everything.  That's important for a point he's going to make later.

He points out that 'Melchizedek' means 'King of Righteousness' and that 'King of Salem' translates to 'King of Peace'...both titles for Jesus.

We have no record of Melchizedek's parents or burial...no beginning and no end. 

A picture of the Priesthood of Jesus...no beginning and no end.

Now the author launches into the meat of his argument...that the Priesthood of Melchizedek is superior in every way to the Levitical priesthood, with the corollary that the covenant that is administered by the priesthood of Melchizedek is therefore superior in every way to the covenant administered by the Levitical priesthood, as Melchizedek preceded Levi, and Levi, in the person of his ancestor Abraham, paid tribute to and was blessed by Melchizedek, as a subject pays tribute to an overlord.

The Levites, the author points out, had to offer sacrifices continually for both themselves and the people.  Jesus, our High Priest of the order of Melchizedek, had no need to offer sacrifice for himself but offered himself as the one and only, complete and final sacrifice on behalf of the people and now lives forever to intercede on our behalf.

Finally, after quoting from Ps. 110 to establish that God had sworn with an oath that the Son would be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek,  he states

For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. - 7:28

A better hope (v. 18); a better covenant (v.22), permanent (v. 25). 

Let me leave you with the glorious declaration of  7:25, as it is rendered in the Amplified...

Therefore, He is able also to save to the uttermost -- completely, perfectly, finally and for all time and eternity -- those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.

That's My King!

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