“The Mighty Melchizedek”Hebrews 7:1-10

HebrewsCall to the Word

“This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him.

HebrewsCall to the Word

“Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.”(Heb 7:1-2)

HebrewsCall to the Word

The LORD has taken an oath and will not break his vow: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” (Psa 110:4)

introduction

The book of Hebrews argues that Christ is the center and goal of Old Testament revelation… Melchizedek is a foreshadowing figure of Jesus.

Hebrews

background

The writer will argue that the priesthood of Jesus Christ is superior to that of Aaron because “the order of Melchizedek” is superior to “the order of Levi.”

Hebrews

outline

Chapter 7 presents three arguments in support of the superiority of the order of Melchizedek

•One from History•One from a Doctrinal Standpoint•One from a Practical Point of View

Hebrews

Translation Comparisons

Word for Word: Int., NASB, NKJV, KJV

Thought for Thought: NRSV, NIV, CEV, NLT

Paraphrase: LB, MSG

Hebrews

“Arguments from History” Heb 7:1-3

1. Jesus – both King & Priest

Heb 4:14Luk 1:32-33Rev 11:15

Hebrews

Jesus, like Melchizedek had both offices —

king and priest! Aaron never had that

privilege.

“Arguments from History” Heb 7:1-3

2. Melchizedek & Jesus: Same Names -Righteousness & Peace

Isa 32:17 Heb 12:10-11Psa 72:7 Psa 85:10Jas 3:17-18

Hebrews

“Arguments from History” Heb 7:1-3

Jesus is Righteousness incarnate and the embodiment of Peace

1Co 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—

Eph 2:14 For He Himself is our peace…

Hebrews

“Arguments from History” Heb 7:1-3

True peace can be experienced only on the basis of righteousness.

If we want to enjoy “peace with God” we must be “justified [declared righteous] by faith” (Rom 5:1).

Hebrews

“Arguments from History” Heb 7:1-3

A Christophany?

Heb 7:8 Furthermore, here [in the Levitical priesthood] tithes are received by men who are subject to death; while there [in the case of Melchizedek], they are received by one of whom it is testified that he lives [perpetually].(AMP)

Hebrews

“Arguments from History” Heb 7:1-3

A Christophany? Yes!

“I personally believe Melchizedek of Genesis 14 is none other than Jesus Christ—a Christophany, an appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament before He appeared as Jesus of Nazareth.” (Courson)

Hebrews

“Arguments from History” Heb 7:1-3

A Christophany? Yes!

“…many Bible scholars believe that Melchizedek was, in reality, one of what they call the Christophanies of the Old Testament, the appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament to Abraham.” (Chuck Smith)

Hebrews

“Arguments from History” Heb 7:1-3

A Christophany? No!

“Melchizedek was not an angel or some superhuman creature; nor was he an Old Testament appearance of Jesus Christ. He was a real man, a real king, and a real priest in a real city. But as far as the record is concerned, he was not born, nor did he die. In this way, he is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God.” (Wiersbe)

Hebrews

“Arguments from History” Heb 7:1-3

A Christophany? No!

“The phrase ‘made to be like’ is used nowhere else in the NT. The implication is that the resemblance to Christ rests upon the way Melchizedek's history is reported in the OT, not upon Melchizedek himself. Melchizedek was not the preincarnate Christ, as some maintain, but was similar to Christ in that his priesthood was universal, royal, righteous, peaceful and unending.” (MacArthur)

Hebrews

“Arguments from History” Heb 7:1-3

The Point:

Neither Aaron nor any of his descendants could claim to be “without genealogy” They could not claim to have an endless ministry. Nor could they claim to be both kings and priests, like Jesus Christ.

Hebrews

“Arguments from History” Heb 7:4-10

In giving Melchizedek tithes and in receiving his blessing, Abraham affirmed the greatness of this king-priest. One gives tithes to a greater and gives blessings to a lesser.

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reflection

When it’s tough, remember Jesus is our Great High Priest.

Jas 5:13Heb 4:14-16; 13:13-15

“He’ll give you a reason to give thanks and praise!”

Hebrews

reflection

And when it’s good:

Jas 5:13 … Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.

He blesses us, keeps us, and enables us to give back to Him in love—not for merit, but because of His mercy.

Hebrews

reflection

“… Jesus meets us when flushed with success or wearied with some great effort, and therefore peculiarly liable to temptation.” (Meyer)

Apart from Him, we can do nothing… (John 15:4-5), …but with Him, we can do all things (Phil. 4:13; see also Gal. 2:16-20).

Hebrews

“The Mighty Melchizedek”Hebrews 7:1-10