Hebrews 7:1–10 (ESV) —
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.
NOTE: I have struggled with this passage since I would be accused of spiritualizing the Gen 14 if I had used the same arguments. The author is creating an example "type" to compare to Jesus. First, Melchizedek was real and human. He was a High Priest. He was great since, literally, all of Israel (represented by Abraham's seed) presented him with a tithe. The "typology example" is seen in the fact that his parents are not mentioned, his name is King of Righteousness and his title is King of Peace, and his death is not recorded. The "type" assumption is that he is eternal, just like Jesus. They represent a different type of High Priest, a King-High Priest, who lives eternally. In this sense, Melchizedek resembles the Son of God. But Jesus is even greater than Melchizedek and certainly greater than Aaron as the author will continue to argue in the next few chapters.
What does this mean to us, present day believers? We are not in a religion based on works. We are not represented by human and fallible priests. We have a relationship with God himself. We are indwelt by the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit. We have direct access to God by Jesus. We are righteous in God the Father's eyes by Jesus. We are adopted into God's family. We are co-heirs with God's son. Wow! Why would anyone want to step back into Judaism or religion?
PONDER:
- Is my faith religion or a relationship with God himself?
PRAYER: Father, again I thank you for the incredible gift of Jesus and the adoption into your family. I am unworthy. I want to live in a manner that brings glory to your name. Give me the strength I need for each day.
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