“Listen up: this is better” -- A study on the Bible book of Hebrews
A 13-week series given in 2020
By Bob Mendelsohn
Given 11 September 2020
To watch this on video: https://youtu.be/yQ10RjBNNqs
Lesson Seven: A better priesthood
Shalom to each of you here on the Zoom call and those who will watch this class lecture on YouTube later. I hope you will feel welcome and when this section ends in about 20 minutes, that you will be a participant in the rest of the questions and discussion time. This letter to messianic Jews was written before the destruction of the Temple in AD 70. Today we study chapter 7, and if you haven’t yet read it, please, those of you on YouTube, pause the playback, read the chapter, and then press play again to re-join us. Thanks.
Today we will look at a man from the Older Testament who is only mentioned in two passages, and at that, barely mentioned. Yet the author mentions him at length here in the question of the priesthood, in fact, calling Yeshua, the Great High Priest. How is he a priest at all? And what is his point of that priesthood anyway? I suppose the argument is posed in certain circles that Aaron is a top guy and his priesthood was ordained by God, thus when the author says something about “The great high priest” (4.14) and the person is not in the line of Aaron, there is a real problem. That’s what chapter seven is about.
First, who is this guy? Or as one pastor I know introduced me when I preached about this man in his parish earlier this year said, “Bob will be speaking on the subject, ‘Who the heck is Melchizedek?’”
Here’s our outline today:
A. Who is Melchizedek? (.1-.3)
B. Which is the better priesthood? (.4-10)
C. Who is coming in the order of Melchizedek? (.11-17)
D. The work of the One in the order of Melchizedek (.18-28)
1. Who is Melchizedek? (.1-.3)
a. Biblical backdrop (Genesis 14, Psalm 110)
The Bible introduces him in Genesis chapter 14 and mentions him again in Psalm 110. Only the psalm is mentioned in chapter 7 of Hebrews.
But let’s see the Genesis passage and then sort out the description in Hebrews.
What do we learn here? Abram was a victorious warrior and was a grateful man. He wanted to say thank you to the Lord for God’s kindness in helping him militarily win over the enemies, and he brought an offering to the Lord by giving to a priest in a village called Salem. Maybe it would be called the city of Salem. The Bible says Abram gave 10%, what’s called a ‘tithe’ notably of the spoil he gained in the battles.
That’s the story. Oh, except for one other thing. There was a blessing that was given that day. Melchizedek blessed Abram. His verbal blessing was “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth” (.19) It wasn’t so much a blessing of Abram, but a blessing of God, which by the way, is often how we would talk about prayer in Jewish circles.
OK, that’s the historical backdrop, and then the psalm just mentions the man.
From the psalm we learn a few more things. Melchizedek had an order, that is, a following of people who were like him. And he receives something long-lasting and it’s from the Lord.
Now back to our text in Hebrews chapter 7.
b. Nine Facts, verses 1-3:
Melchizedek was
1) the king of Salem
2) priest of the Most High God
3) met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and
4) blessed him,
5) 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translationof his name,
6) king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is
7) king of peace.
8) 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he
9) remains a priest perpetually.
That’s 9 facts. In quick measure we learn a lot about him. A non-Jewish priest who worked for the Lord of heaven and earth, and Abram put his trust in Melchizedek to be the point man for Abram’s offering.
Back to the list. 1) King of Salem means king of the city of Salem, which is in Hebrew the Ir, Shalom, or Irushalayim, or Jerusalem. 2) priest of God most high. You don’t have to be Jewish to be an instrument of God, a powerful testimony to the messianic Jews to whom this letter is written. 3) Available to the people of God. And to God. That’s what a priest is and does. He’s a mediator. 4) Blessed Abram. Don’t miss this. This is one of the major points the author will make in this argument. 5) Abram paid Melchizedek an offering. Religion does cost and priests are worthy of their pay package. 6) The translation of his name is Melech Tsadek (King of Righteousness). His parents were good about this. Righteousness, that is, right standing with God, is in his hands and in his loins. 7) Salem (shalom) means Peace. He’s the mayor, the governor, the landlord of peace. That’s his nature. 8) He didn’t have genealogy. There are some who allege that Melchizedek is Yeshua, but this #8 makes this impossible. We know Yeshua’s parentage, for hundreds of years. What the author is saying is that Melchizedek simply pops up on our historical stage in Genesis 14 without introduction. The point of his being introduced there is to perform a couple of tasks. His yichus is not of interest nor the point of the story. The point is to bless and receive an offering. And 9) he is still a priest forever, or perpetually. How is that? Through his order, that is, through those who come after him in his place. Melchizedek is not living, but his disciples are.
So all that is to answer the question: “Who is Melchizedek?”
2. Which one is the better priesthood? (4-10)
The author then wants us to compare and contrast the priesthoods which come from two folks. One, people who descended from Levi, the third son of Jacob and the direct ancestor of every Levitical priest recorded in Scripture in contrast to this Melchizedek. That should be pretty easy, right? After all, yichus matters, and every Cohen at that time would have been able to cite his ancestry without a DNA test and without Ancestry.com. I’m from Levi and thus almost a trump card in the conversation. Remember there were loads of laws and privileges for Levites and their subset of the priests. For instance, almost all the offerings and sacrifices were for the priests to eat but when the Temple didn’t (and now, doesn’t) stand, there are no sacrifices. The priests certainly had an honored station in the history of the 1st Century Jewish world.
But now the author says there is someone better. And the way it’s demonstrated is very clever. It has to do with the blessing and the tithe.
a. The Blessing
From our nine facts list above, the author says “But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.” (verse 7)
When Melchizedek blessed Abram, we learn that Abram is therefore less. OK. Point one for the Melchizedek team.
b. Then the tithe.
“In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on.”
Because of the perpetuity of Melchizedek in contrast to the mortality of Abram, the tithing episode shows the betterness of Melchizedek.
Now look at the cleverness of the author. It’s not Abram but the one who is in the loins of Abram, (.10) that is, Levi, who is in view. So when I say Abram I mean Levi. Thus Melchizedek is better than Levi and thus better than every priest, and certainly the high priest on your team today.
One more mention is the word ‘patriarch’ (verse 4) which is a transliteration of the word in Greek. Appealing to Abraham as the founder of the religion, or as the prime driver, could be taken to mean, ‘Hey guys, if Abe did this then you down the family line ought to do so as well.’
3. Who is coming in the order of Melchizedek? (.11-17)
One is coming who is superior to Aaron and Levi. Why? Perfection was missing! (.11) So someone had to come from another lineage, the line of Melchizedek.
Verse 11 says that since we were incomplete (we’ll see that term again), we needed another priesthood, and that’s the one hinted at in Psalm 110. By the way Yeshua quoted Psalm 110 in his answer to the religionists of his day challenging him (Matthew 22). Yeshua asked the Pharisees that day whose son the Messiah would be. They replied “the son of David.” That’s still taught in Jewish circles to this day. Yeshua asked them about Psalm 110. How then does David in the Spirit call him ‘Lord’ if the messiah is David’s son? This ended the conversation, as you can imagine.
Here the author again brings up Psalm 110, and this time makes sure we know that Yeshua fits the bill. He was from the tribe of Judah and thus disqualified from Aaronic priesthood, but he’s from another order. He’s from Melchizedek!
And one more point the author makes. He’s perpetual, or rather ‘eternal.’ Whereas the priesthood of Aaron was temporary, they worked in rosters, and came and retired (Numbers 8.23-25). Later they died. But this one will not.
We have a better high priest who makes us complete, who is the Lord of David, and though from Judah is of the order of Melchizedek which makes him to last forever.
4. The work of the One in the order of Melchizedek (.18-28)
In verse 18, this new order brings us new and better hope. It’s all based on the betterness of Melchizedek. And the better covenant (.22) that Yeshua brought us. We have a better order, a better priest, a better hope. A better contract… it’s all better!
What else did/ does he perform? He saves to the uttermost. He allows us to draw near. (.19, .25) He was innocent, without sin, and thus needed no offering to repair himself. (.27), and he did this by dying on the cross. That was the once-for-all moment in time (never to be repeated) and once-for-all meaning for every person on the planet.
Finally in verse 25 he lives to make intercession for you. Close your eyes for a moment and ponder that. The Lord of the universe, David’s Lord. The powerful King of all not only notices you, but ever lives to make intercession for you, that is, he runs between you and judgment to secure grace. Rest in that.
1. What will you do with this man?
What else do you need to know? The author is making this crystal clear for each of us. We have a messiah, a Saviour who died for us, and made a once-for-all sacrifice of himself. His offering was successful and repairs all who trust in him to live forever.
God wants you to know him. He wants to know you. He wants a relationship with you, not a rule-book religion of do’s and don’ts. He loves you and sent Yeshua to repair what was broken. A week from tonight is Rosh Hashanah and if you are religious, you have spent the last 23 days hearing the sound of the shofar and Saturday night you will begin praying Selichot prayers. This is the time to repent. This is the time to make right with God.
Dear friends, we have a great high priest who is better than any kohen gadol you have ever heard chant the b’rachot. He’s not a temporary guide or assistant. He’s the eternal Son of God who offered himself on your behalf. And he ever lives to make intercession for you. He loves to pray for you. He is our mediator who wants us to be in God’s presence. Don’t delay. Don’t wait until Erev Rosh Hashanah to meet the King. He’s here, just now. Cry out to him and beg his mercy. Ask Yeshua to be your Saviour and Lord. He will be the answer to your heart’s deepest cry.
If you want to write me with a question, I’m happy to try to answer. Just write me at bob@jewsforjesus.org.au and I’ll give it a go.
Until next week, when we will meet again to share about chapter 8 and more about our better High Priest fulfilling Jeremiah’s prophecy of the New Covenant, that is, the better covenant. Until then,
Shabbat shalom.
Actual text:
Heb. 7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.
Heb. 7:4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 5 And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham. 6 But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. 7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. 9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
Heb. 7:11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. 13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. 15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. 17For it is attested of Him,
“YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER
ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”
18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20 And inasmuch as it was not without an oath 21(for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,
“THE LORD HAS SWORN
AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND,
‘YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER’”);
22 so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
Heb. 7:23 The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Heb. 7:26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.
Psa. 110:0 A Psalm of David. Psa. 110:1 The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” 2 The LORD will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” 3 Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew.
Psa. 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” 5 The Lord is at Your right hand; He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath. 6 He will judge among the nations, He will fill them with corpses, He will shatter the chief men over a broad country. 7He will drink from the brook by the wayside; therefore He will lift up His head.”
Matt. 22:41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question: 42 “What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?” They said to Him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “Then how does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying,
44 ‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET”’? 45 “If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?” 46 No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question.” (.41-45)
Gen. 14:17 Then after Abram’s return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet Abram at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all.
21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself.” 22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the LORD God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 “I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their share.” (Gen 14.17-24)
Bibliography
Ladd, George E., A Theology of the New Testament, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 1974. (Pages 571 – 587)
Lane, William L, Word Biblical Commentary Series, Hebrews.
Vine, W.E., An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Revell, Old Tappan, NJ, 1966.
Weirsbe, Warren. Be Confident. David C. Cook Publishing, Colorado Springs,1982.
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D-Groups for this week
1) Tuesday 11 am Sydney time. Led by James Howse
2) Monday 10 am Sydney time, led by Rebekah Bronn
3) Thursday 7 pm, Sydney time, led by James White
(Contact our office for zoom details)
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