This continues the explanation from chapter 6 about Jesus
Christ being a high priest after the order of Melchizedek and not after the
Levitical priesthood system.
Hebrew 7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of
the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the
kings, and blessed him;
This thought continues from the previous chapter in discussing Melchizedek.
Here is a mysterious character that we do not know much about. It is
speculated by some that this is Christ. This person was called king of Salem
meaning king of peace. He was a priest of God. He met Abraham and placed a
blessing from God on him. This blessing does not appear to be anything
material but spiritual and from God. Blessings from the Lord should be
mostly considered to be spiritual not material. God does bless materially
but the things we should seek is the spiritual and just trust Him to care of
us in the material things as needed. To focus on the material things leads
us into covetousness which is idolatry.
Heb 7:2 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;
Heb 7:3 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.
There is no genealogy record of a mother and father of this priest. It
doesn't mean that he didn't have one. Aaron was a priest and so was his
descendants and there is a record of their descent. This man had no record
and was not a priest after the order of Aaron. He seemed to be a priest not
by succession but by the appointment or calling of God. This is the type of
priest Jesus Christ is.
Christ is a priest for eternity, called of God and abides forever. No one
took His place when He died on the cross for He rose again and is reigning
at the right hand of God the Father. In the priests of the order of Aaron,
they were only priests until they died and another took his place.
Heb 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch
Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
Abraham gave this priest a tenth of the spoils that were taken from the
battle he fought to rescue his nephew Lot. This wasn't a tithe of Abraham's
own possessions. This chapter is not a chapter to teach tithing but the
emphasis is on the type of priesthood that Jesus came to fulfill.
Abraham refused to take anything for himself after that battle but gave a
tenth of spoils to Melchizedek. He also gave a portion to certain men
who fought in the battle with him. I will add here that although I
don't believe in using this verse to teach tithing, I really believe tithing
is a good way to support the church and I believe in tithing out of love
though not compulsion.
Heb 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the
office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people
according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of
the loins of Abraham:
Tithing was instituted to support the Levites and priests who kept the
service of the temple and it also was a great plan to give food to the poor
for the tithe was mostly food that was brought to the storehouse to be
distributed to the Levites, priests and the poor. After Christ this type of
service is not needed. We now have a different system. We do not need
priests or mediators but only those that teach and preach the word of God
for the edification of believers. There really should not be a separated
clergy from the laity as some practice. In Christ we are the same and not
one is to be exalted over the other.
This doesn't mean that we neglect to support our local pastors and workers
that give up secular jobs to minister to the believers. We are now to give
not by commandment but by love. Tithing is a good basis to determine our
giving but should never be forced or coerced by warning of a curse from God
if we don't tithe or a promise to get rich if we do. New Testament
giving is as this:
2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so
let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful
giver.
Words of Jesus:
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed
down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.
For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you
again.
We should not teach giving above what Jesus taught. He did not promise us
that we would get rich, in fact He warned us against seeking riches. Giving
and receiving is more than material riches. We are to freely give what we
freely receive from God which is sharing the gospel and the word of God. We
are to give financially but the spiritual should always be our main
emphasis. If we only give material things, we may help someone temporarily
but they will not hear the gospel and be saved eternally which is the
greater importance. This is not to get away from giving to the poor for that
is our responsibility as well as supporting our pastors. What kind of
people would we be if we had plenty but our pastor and his family had very
little? Actually unselfish people usually give more than a tithe and
the blessing from God comes in the joy they receive when they know they are
helping spread the word of God. So if someone asks me if I believe in
tithing. I say yes, but I'm never limited to just a tithe. Being
able to give is a gift from God and brings joy that can't really be
explained to those who do not want to give to the work of God.
Jesus' warning that to neglect to give to help the poor, fellow believers or
ministers of the gospel is the same as not giving to Him. "I was
hungry and ye have me no meat." He is not talking of tithing
here but giving to those that are hungry, thirsty and in need of clothing.
I believe that those brave persons who aided and hid Jews during the
holocaust years will be greatly blessed of God for they protecting the brethren of
the Lord.
Mat 25:40 And the
King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye
have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it
unto me.
Heb 7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of
Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
Heb 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
As great as Abraham was, he was not greater than Melchizedek. In the same
respect, Abraham was not greater than the Messiah to come, Jesus Christ. A
better way was coming and promised to Abraham when God said to him that in
him all nations would be blessed. That blessing is not material wealth
but the gift of salvation to all who would believe in this Messiah to come.
Heb 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth
them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
Heb 7:9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, paid tithes
in Abraham.
Heb 7:10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met
him.
This whole chapter is not meant to teach New Testament tithing but to
emphasize the new covenant that replaces the old one and new priesthood of
Christ that replaces the old Levitical priesthood that was done away with at
the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I'm not
downplaying tithing just pointing out that the purpose of this chapter is
not to teach tithing as a New Testament requirement although I believe in
tithing as a good way to support the pastor and the church. If we don't
tithe and give, we soon wouldn't have pastors or churches for they can't be
expected to live on nothing.
Heb 7:11 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 Melchizedek, and not be called
after the order of Aaron?
Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a
change also of the law.
Heb 7:13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another
tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which
tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Heb 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of
Melchizedek there ariseth another priest,
Heb 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but
after the power of an endless life.
Heb 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest forever after the order of
Melchizedek.
This shows us a great change in the order of religion and salvation. The
priesthood was changed. Christ now is the high priest descended from the
tribe of Judah. All of us are now equal in the sight of God and Christ
is the only priest that is called of God to make intercession between the
believer and God. God places in the body those that He wants to be
messengers, leaders and other things described 1 Corinthians to edify,
strengthen and instruct in the ways of righteousness but we no longer need
priests or prophets to intercede between us and God, God may call a prophet
for other duties but not to be a mediator between God and man. We can pray to God ourselves
once we have believed and trusted in Jesus Christ.
Heb 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going
before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
Heb 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a
better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
The law showed us the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man. It showed
us how much we needed a savior from sin. The law itself exposed sin but
could not deliver us from sin. We needed the better covenant that comes by
faith in Jesus Christ. Through Christ one does not just receive forgiveness
of sin but deliverance from sin. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from
all sin and unrighteousness. Before Christ this was symbolized by the
offering of animal sacrifices until the perfect sacrifice came. It
only pointed to the one to come. By offering the sacrifices and
offerings in the Old Testament they were exercising their faith in the one
that was to come who could remove their sins in reality. The blood of
the animals could not do that alone. If it could have done the job
then, there would have been no need for Christ to come and die for sins.
Here is only one of David's prophecies of Christ to come:
Psa 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my
right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Psa 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule
thou in the midst of thine enemies.
Psa 110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the
beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy
youth.
Psa 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest
forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Psa 110:5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the
day of his wrath.
Psa 110:6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with
the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
Psa 110:7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift
up the head.
Heb 7:20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
Heb 7:21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an
oath by him that said unto him, The Lord swore and will not repent, Thou art
a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek:)
Heb 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Jesus became our only way of salvation. This is a better covenant because
not only can our sins be forgiven but we are given a helper to abide with us
to keep us from returning to the bondage of sin. This helper is the Holy
Spirit given to those who receive this good way.
Before Christ only a few chosen ones had the Holy Spirit like the prophets
but now through Christ this gift is given to all who repent of sins and
believe in the one God sent, Jesus Christ. It is better because a life is
changed. It is better because one is born again and anew by God's spirit.
Sacrifices, burning incense or other religious works are no longer
necessary. They were only pointing to a better way when they were practiced.
Heb 7:23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered
to continue by reason of death:
Heb 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable
priesthood.
Heb 7:25 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.
Priests who die have their work ending with them for another to continue.
Christ is a priest continually and is now making intercession for all who
believe in Him.
Heb 7:26 For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless,
undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Heb 7:27 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.
He did not sin so He didn't have to make a sacrifice for His own sin.
Heb 7:28 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 forevermore.
A better covenant, an eternal mediator, an unchangeable priesthood is in
Jesus Christ. We need no other mediator. Earthy pastors, teachers and
preachers are to be as servants to God, not as lords over men. Christ alone
is our way of salvation. Not through man, not through a church or any
other organization.
