Hebrews chapter 7

Abraham encountered the mysterious Melchizedek and gave him a tenth of what he had. The priesthood of Jesus Christ stems from Melchizedek but is far superior.

 


 

ABRAHAM GAVE A TITHE TO MELCHIZEDEK

SUMMARY: Abraham is our father in faith. He encountered a mysterious priest named Melchizedek. Melchizedek blessed Abraham. Abraham gave Melchizedek 10% of what he had. This shows that tithing is the norm. Do you tithe?

 

VERSE 1. For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

Melchizedek was the king of Salem and a priest of the Most High God. He brought out bread and wine. Then he blessed Abram and the Most High God. Read more »

 

VERSE 2. to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, “king of righteousness”, and then also “king of Salem”, which means “king of peace”,

Abraham divided a tenth part of all. That is, Abraham donated 10% of everything he owned to Melchizedek.

The Bible calls us to support the people who teach us in the faith. Read more »

 

VERSE 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.

without father … mother … genealogy. Melchizedek is a very mysterious individual.

like the Son of God. Some people speculate that Melchizedek was the pre-Incarnate Son of God.

 

VERSE 4. Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the best plunder.

gave a tenth. This is the definition of a “tithe.” To tithe is to give ten percent.

Tithing is the biblical norm for Jews and Christians. Sadly, few Christians actually tithe. Most surveys reveal that Christians give a paltry 2% of their income.

 

VERSE 5. They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham,

a commandment to take tithes. In the days of the Old Testament, God commanded the priests to take a tithe from the people. Tithing was commanded.

Some people consider that command to still be in effect. If so, it means we Christians must give away 10% of our gross income.

The Bible calls us to support the people who teach us in the faith. Read more »

 

VERSE 6. but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.

accepted tithes from Abraham. It can be argued that since Abraham is the father of faith, he is more important than Melchizedek. Using that logic, Melchizedek should have tithed to Abraham.

However, that is not what happened. Instead, Abraham tithed to Melchizedek.

Many people interpret this to mean that they must tithe to their religious leaders.

 

VERSE 7. But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.

 

VERSE 8. Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.

it is testified that he lives. The scriptures do not report the death of Melchizedek.

 

VERSE 9. We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,

Abraham … has paid tithes. Even mighty Abraham tithed. If Abraham tithed, shouldn’t we too?

The Bible calls us to support the people who teach us in the faith. Read more »

 

VERSE 10. for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him.

 

JESUS CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO MELCHIZEDEK

SUMMARY: The Levitical priesthood of the Old Testament is in the line of Aaron. But there is a new priesthood in the line of Melchizedek. It is the priesthood of Jesus Christ. His priesthood is far superior to Melchizedek.

 

VERSE 11. Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

another priest to arise. That priest is Jesus Christ.

 

VERSE 12. For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law.

 

VERSE 13. For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.

 

VERSE 14. For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

sprung out of Judah. As a descendant of David, Jesus Christ was of the tribe of Judah.

Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. The priesthood of Jesus Christ does not stem from his family lineage. Instead, it stems from his eternal existence (see verse 16 below).

 

VERSE 15. This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,

 

VERSE 16. who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life;

an endless life. The priesthood of Jesus Christ stems from his eternal existence (see verse 14 above).

 

VERSE 17. for it is testified, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Melchizedek was the king of Salem and a priest of the Most High God. He brought out bread and wine. Then he blessed Abram and the Most High God. Read more »

 

VERSE 18. For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness

 

VERSE 19. (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

a better hope. This hope depends upon the sacrifice of the Son of God. Through it, we draw near the throne of grace:

Hebrews 4:16. Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

 

VERSE 20. Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath

 

VERSE 21. (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath), but he with an oath by him that says of him, “The Lord swore and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’ ”

Melchizedek was the king of Salem and a priest of the Most High God. He brought out bread and wine. Then he blessed Abram and the Most High God. Read more »

 

VERSE 22. By so much, Jesus has become the collateral of a better covenant.

a better covenant. The new covenant of Jesus Christ is better than the old covenant.

 

VERSE 23. Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death.

 

VERSE 24. But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable.

John 12:34. The multitude answered him, “We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. How do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up?’ Who is this Son of Man?”

 

VERSE 25. Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Letter to the Hebrews and from the entire Bible.

NIV translation. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

he is also able to save. Jesus is worthy as our Savior.

to the uttermost. Jesus saves us completely.

those who draw near to God through him. Jesus is the Savior for those who seek to come to God through him.

he lives forever to make intercession for them. Jesus always intercedes for us. He prays for us.

 

VERSE 26. For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

 

VERSE 27. who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself.

doesn’t need … to offer up sacrifices daily. In most religions, the leader needs makes sacrificial offerings:

first for his own sins. The religious leader offers a religious sacrifice to benefit self. This might be daily or weekly.

then for the sins of the people. Then the religious leader offers a sacrifice to benefit their congregation. This too might be daily or weekly.

he did this once for all. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is not repeated. It was a one-time event. He is not eternally crucified.

when he offered up himself. Christ’s sacrifice at calvary was “once-for-all.”

 

VERSE 28. For the law appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the law appoints a Son forever who has been perfected.

 


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HEBREWS

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