Monday 2021.09:06
Today, in the NT, I read Hebrews chapters seven and eight.
Hebrews chapter 7 explains that the Messiah, promised by the LORD with an oath in Psalm 110, is the eternal, unchangeable, holy, and undefiled High Priest of the Order of Melchisedek. This heavenly High Priest of Melchisedek Order is contrasted against the earthly high priests of Levitical Order in several ways:
Firstly, while the Levitical priests received tithes from the children of Israel, Melchisedek ("My King is Righteous"), the King of Salem, priest of the Most High God, brought bread and wine, blessed Abraham, and received tithes from Abraham (Genesis 14:18 - 20). Thus, it can be said that Melchisedek received tithes from the entire priesthood of Levi who descended from Abraham.
Hebrews 7:1 - 4; 9 - 11 KJV
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Secondly, while all Levitical high priests come only from the tribe of Levi, the High Priest of Melchisedek, our Lord Iesous the Messiah, descended from King David, of the tribe of Judah, a tribe that was never chosen for priesthood under the Law of Moses. (See: Branch of David, Jer 33:15; Righteous Branch, Jer 23:5,6; a king descended from David, 30:8,9). This is because the High Priest of Melchisedek is not made according to any commandment of the Mosaic Law but instead according to the power of eternal life.
Hebrews 7:13 - 17 KJV
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec (Psa 110:4).
Thirdly, while the Levitical high priests were appointed without any oath, the everlasting High Priest of the Order of Melchisedek was promised by the LORD with an oath in Psalm 110:4, that He will be a priest forever.
Hebrews 7:20 - 22 KJV
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21 For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. (Psalm 110:4)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament
Fourthly, while the earthly Levitical High Priests had to be replaced after they die, the High Priest of the Order of Melchisedek lives forever in an unchangeable priesthood. In this way, anyone at any time who approaches Him can be saved by his intercession.
Hebrews 7:23 - 25 KJV
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
And finally, our Lord Iesous, the High Priest of the Order of Melchisedek who "became us" is holy and undefiled by sin. Unlike the Levitical high priests who have personal weaknesses, our Lord does not need to make any daily sacrifice for his own sins before he intercedes for the people, for he has offered up himself once for all as a sacrifice for all sin.
Hebrews 7:26 - 28 KJV
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
