For the next couple days we will be examining Melchizedek who was the king of Salem as well as a priest in Jerusalem during the time of Abraham (see Genesis 14:18-20). His name meant king of righteousness and peace, but there are very little particulars known about his life (biographical and genealogical); in fact, Hebrews 7:3 says that he is “without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God….” Some have said that Melchizedek was Christ Himself but upon further examination it seems that he was made to be like the Son of God. In keeping with the theme the writer of Hebrews has been addressing, it is better to examine this passage in relationship to the priesthood. The comparisons between the priesthood of Melchizedek and Jesus Christ are very evident: they were both kingly (7:1), righteous (7:2), peaceful (7:2), and without end (7:3). The writer was actually getting ready to prove how that the Melchizedekan priesthood was better than the Levitical (sons of Aaron) priesthood. In these verses, two reasons stand out for its superiority. First, Abraham (father of the Hebrew nation) paid tithes to Melchizedek proving that Abraham was subordinate (7:4-6a, 8-10). Secondly, Melchizedek blessed Abraham (7:6b-7). We’ll continue more on this topic tomorrow.
Dear God, give me understanding of this passage.
