Today’s passage: Hebrews 7:1-10
Helpful thoughts:
- After referencing Melchizedek a few times already in the letter, we now see the explanation for his inclusion in chapter 7.
- Melchizedek’s name means “King of Righteousness.” Salem means “Peace.”
- Melchizedek surely had a father and mother. He was surely born and died. We are only told enough about him in Genesis 14 to point forward to the King and Priest who would come after him.
- Melchizedek was not a Jew, not a Levite, not a priest in Israel. He came before all that was established, before the nation even existed.
- In Abraham, all Israel gave a tithe through Melchizedek. And through Melchizedek, Abraham and his descendants were blessed by God.
Questions to consider:
- Before Christ came, and before Israel even existed, who was the intercessor between God and Israel through Abraham? Who was their priest?
- Why might the Jews have struggled to see how the priesthood of Melchizedek was superior to their own? What would be the potential stumbling blocks in their understanding?
- Why does this superiority matter (Verse 7)? How did the sacrificial system of the Levitical priesthood fall short? Were the priests without sin? Were their sacrifices good for all time or did they need to come again? (More on this tomorrow…)