HEBREWS CHAPTER 7, “HIGH PRIEST FOREVER”

THE APOSTLE Paul was presenting to the Hebrew disciples, Jesus as the true Representative of God. He was God’s son; the express image. He was a man of the seed of Abraham. He was Apostle and High Priest. He was a “high priest after the order of Melchizedek.” He had been “called of God.” Though little is written about Melchizedek in the Bible, it is probable that the Israelites were familiar with the record concerning him. Paul here gave an account of his history. It is as well-written as one could find anywhere.

Melchizedek is first mentioned in Genesis 14. Here we have the account of Abraham returning from a war which had taken place because Lot, Abraham’s nephew, and the men of Sodom and Gomorrah had been taken captive. Abraham had taken the spoils of war; men and goods. On his return, he was met by Melchizedek, King of Salem. Melchizedek provided food for Abraham and all that were with him. He then blessed Abraham in the name of “the Most High God - Yehovah, possessor of heaven and earth” and praised God, “the most high,” for delivering Abraham. Abraham in return gave a tenth part of all (Hebrews 7:2) to Melchizedek for the Lord God.

Who Was Melchizedek?

Anyone who has ever studied the Book of Hebrews is interested in Melchizedek. Who was he? What is the meaning of the phrases that describe him? Melchizedek was King of Salem. Josephus wrote that Salem later became Jerusalem. Most Bible students agree with this. The name Melchizedek means king of righteousness and Salem means city of peace. It has been pointed out in some writings that the word is righteousness and not righteous. There is quite a difference in the thought when we compare the past with the promised future. Why did Paul specifically mention, “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life” (vs. 3)? This was to show the direct contrast between the Levitical priesthood and the one ordained of God to be fulfilled in Jesus the Messiah. No one could serve in the Levitical priesthood without showing his lineage. Both his father and mother had to be recorded as to birth and heritage. A record was kept of their death. A record was kept as to the length of service pertaining to each priest. Melchizedek had none of this to his credit. This, however, did not disqualify him in the eyes of the later leaders in Israel. Josephus refers to him as “the righteous king: and such he was, without dispute, insomuch that, on this account, he was made the priest of God.’ (Life and Works of Josephus, page 44.)

To further prove the greatness of Melchizedek, Father Abraham (one of the most esteemed of the patriarchs) was brought into the setting. Abraham had worshiped God through the priest Melchizedek, “priest of the Most High God - Yehovah.” Paul also showed that Levi, who was born later, was a descendant of Abraham, “come out of the loins of Abraham” (vs. 5), and through this had also served Melchizedek. This proved Melchizedek to be the greater.

Let us look at the purpose of this comparison of Melchizedek, Abraham, and Levi. Paul was not writing a history of these men for the Hebrew brethren. He was showing them that Jesus, “called of God,” was the chosen one. He was teaching them that to continue to follow Jesus would be no mistake. Jesus was the High Priest of God chosen after the order of Melchizedek. This was contrary, of course, to the law known to the Israelites, for all priests had to be of the tribe of Levi. This is shown in verses 14-16 when again a definite statement is made that “he of whom these things are spoken pertains to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar” (vs. 13). Moses made no mention of another priesthood, but this did not disqualify Jesus, for God had called him. God had foreordained that it should be! Jesus had no record that qualified Him for the priest’s office. None of His ancestors had been Levites. He was of the tribe of Judah, but He was “called of God” to be a “priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek” (vs. 17).

The Tithe

The subject of the tithe is outstanding in the first, twelve verses of the seventh chapter of Hebrews. Verse 12 reads, “The priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.” Some interpret this to refer to the ending of the Mosaic law and commandments when Jesus died on the cross. Others say it has to do with the law about the change of the priesthood. There was a written law about the priesthood. The (order of Melchizedek) was from the beginning; it was in the plan of God, as Paul was showing. It was made by an oath. Aaron was made a priest, and the Levites given to the priestly service of God for a temporary period.

Let it be pointed out once again that the Hebrews who were accepting the Messiah and Christianity were having some very precious things taken away from them. These things included the offering of sacrifices, the great respect for the high priest and the priesthood, the paying of tithes and giving of offerings, and many more. In this letter to the Hebrews, Paul was showing them “the new and living way,” but he tied the old in with the new.

Jesus was a high priest with the power of an endless life. (v. 16.) He was “made a surety of a better testament” {covenant, see v. 22). More will be studied in the eighth chapter about the “new covenant.” Jesus, who will live forever, also has a priesthood that will last forever. (vs. 24.) Jesus had offered Himself (v. 27), which is some-thing no other high priest had done. For this reason, there was no longer any need to offer sacrifices. Aaron and his predecessors were established by a law, but Jesus was established by an oath. (vs. 28)

In Melchizedek we have the king-priest arrangement. This will be the same when Jesus reigns over all the earth. “Even he shall build the temple of Yehovah; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both” (Zechariah 6:13). As Melchizedek was called King of righteousness; so Jesus will be called:

“YEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” [Jeremiah 23:6]

Jesus has been selected of God to be the High Priest. Even now he is fulfilling that office, at least in part. He is at the right hand of God as our Mediator. Are you serving God through this High Priest? Are you following him who has “the power of endless life”? Do you believe in him who was “holy, harmless, undefiled and “offered himself” for your sins? He is the only way to God. For “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" [John 14:6] The Hebrew brethren were instructed to believe on him and to follow. Let us heed the same instruction!

Written by Francis E. Burnett and edited and added to by Bruce Lyon