SUMMARY OF HEBREWS 7:
Melchizedek was king of Salem (Jerusalem) and priest of the God Most High. He met and blessed Abraham, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. His name means “king of righteousness” and king of Salem means “king of peace.” He remains a priest forever without the proper lineage.
Just think how great he must have been for Abraham to give him a tenth of the plunder! The law requires the descendants of Levi to collect a tenth from the people. Melchizedek was not a Levite. One could deduce that Levi collects the tenth through Abraham because Levi (who is Abraham’s descendant) hadn’t been born yet when Melchizedek collected. Hence we have Levites paying tithes to Melchizedek, making Melchizedek greater than the Levites (or Abraham in this instance since the Levites are through Abraham). Since the lesser is blessed by the greater, Melchizedek is greater than Abraham
Perfection could not be attained through the Levites so there was need for a priest in the order of Melchizedek (the mere fact that a priest in the order of Melchizedek shows up should be a clue that there is a need for something better than the Levites). If the priests change, then so must the law. The old law was weak and useless for it made nothing perfect and a better hope was introduced by God (Jesus!).
Through an oath Jesus became a priest and the author of a better covenant. Jesus lives forever so his priesthood is forever; therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him.
Jesus meets our needs as holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens with one sacrifice of himself who has been made perfect forever.
QUESTIONS FOR HEBREWS 7:
10) Melchizedek and Christ’s similiarities: 1) Both were kings 2) Both were priests 3) Both received a tenth of everything 4) Both names mean king of peace 5) Both are priests forever 6) Both live forever (without beginning of days or end of life)
One difference: Only Jesus was the Son of God
11) Jesus lives forever so his priesthood is permanent. This is why he is able to save completely. He is the only one who is holy, blameless, and pure. He does not need to atone for his sins because he is sinless. He is perfect forever. His one sacrifice saves us all.
12) It means we are saved from our sins forever, we will got to heaven with Christ, and all of our sins are atoned for, now and in the future. It means we are free!
CONCLUSIONS TO WORDGO HEBREWS 7
I love Melchizedek. It seems he existed to prove the superiority of Christ over all the priests. Powerful argument to turn to Jesus.