Hebrews Chapter Seven

(Continued from: "Chapter Six: Understand the Basics and then Move on to Maturity")

Everything we've read up to this point has shown that Jesus is authentic and that His Father gave Him ultimate authority over all mankind. He is the Son of God, the Hebrews' Messiah and the Savior. He lived, died and rose again –He paid for all sins and made a new life available to all who receive it. But with all that being true, what does that change in regard to a person's everyday, minute-by-minute relationship with God? Does it seem any more important or relevant or personal?

That's where His role of High Priest comes in. He is the tie that binds man and God together. It's symbolically displayed by the scarlet cord that Rahab hung from her window to preserve her and her family's lives when Jericho was destroyed (Joshua 2) and the scarlet string between the little bird that was sacrificed and the one that was freed to live (Leviticus 14).

In chapter one of Romans we're told that everything we need to know about God can be found in His creation (Romans 1:20-23). This is exceptionally true for the case of the the scarlet cord between the recipient and the source of life itself. In the womb, the scarlet umbilical cord connects a child to its mother. The child's own lungs –though practicing– are unused. Likewise, the child's own heart –though beating– is bypassed. They do nothing to sustain the child's life. It's the mother's lungs and digestive system –in concert with her pumping heart– that provide oxygen and nutrients to the child through her own blood. But that's not all. Her blood also carries all of the child's waste back into her own body for removal by her cleansing organs. What a picture of God's love for mankind. He provides everything needed for life –and He takes away everything –all sin– that could ever destroy that life!

The Greater Priesthood

Earlier, we looked at the qualifications for being a high priest. He must have personally experienced the troubles of the people that he represents. He must be chosen by God. And he must be of the right order. In this chapter, we are going to see a contrast of priestly orders –Melchizedek's to Aaron's.

In Hebrew tradition, the "order of succession" determines the relative importance of people who hold positions of authority. The person who held the position first is superior to the one who holds it after him. For example, Jacob (Israel) is a highly respected father of the Hebrews (the Israelites). But Jacob's father, Isaac, is considered to be greater because he was the leader of the family before Jacob. And Isaac's father, Abraham, is greater still. Abraham is revered as the first Hebrew –and therefore the greatest– for he responded to God's call to leave his people and venture to a new place.

According to this tradition, the greatest Levitical priest was Aaron. He was the oldest of the tribe of Levi when God established that priesthood. Yet Genesis (in chapters 14 and 15) tells us that Melchizedek was a priest before Abraham became the father of the Hebrews. It's most curious that Melchizedek, in the passage below, is called "priest of the Most High God." Not only is this the only first mention of him, it's also the first mention of any priest of God. And it's the only mention of God having a priest that wasn't from the order of Aaron.

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, 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. 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. (Hebrews 7:1-3)

Here's an overview of the story. There were nine kings (including the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah) who formed two warring groups, four kings against the other five (Genesis 14:1-7). The winning side abducted Abraham's nephew Lot, along with Lot's family and possessions (Genesis 14:8-12). Upon hearing the report, Abraham went to Lot's rescue and slaughtered the abductors (Genesis 14:13-16). Afterwards, Melchizedek met Abraham; he brought bread and wine; and he blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:17-20). Directly following that blessing, God proclaimed His promises to Abraham. He was going to be the father of many, and those offspring would become the owners of a particular land (described in Genesis 15, Exodus 23, Numbers 34).

Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 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.

But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on.

And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. (Hebrews 7:4-10)

Please allow me to state the obvious. Melchizedek was a priest long before Abraham's great-grandson Levi was born –and that was long before Levi's great-grandson Aaron was born. So, of course, Melchizedek was a priest before the Levitical Priesthood came into being.

The essence of this Hebrews passage is "the greater one blessed the lesser" –and "the lesser one paid tithes to the greater." Abraham received Melchizedek's blessing and then paid a tenth to him. By this, Abraham demonstrated that Melchizedek was greater than himself. According to the order of succession, Melchizedek was also greater than Isaac, Jacob and Levi. And since Levi was the "father" of Aaron, then Melchizedek was greater than all of the Levitical Priesthood. The New Testament Hebrews could logically accept that –especially since it had no ramifications to their beliefs.

But this section of Hebrews emphasizes the absence of Melchizedek's ancestry, his birth, and his death to connect Jesus and Melchizedek together in the same priesthood. (They both had no beginning and no end, and they both continue to minister to the saints as priests of God.) Based on this connection, the Hebrews are confronted with a choice. They could either accept and acknowledge that Jesus is superior to the entire Levitical system –and leave those old ways behind. Or they could hang on to their old ways and deny Him. There is no middle ground.

This story's rich symbolism contains yet another foreshadowing of Jesus' arrival and purpose as the Messiah.

Melchizedek came:

When we read about Melchizedek, he was coming to Abraham. Abraham had been busy in war, taking care of his family, trying to follow God's leading –he wasn't searching for Melchizedek.

That's the way it was when Jesus came to the Hebrews. The people had been immersed in daily life and observing their religious traditions –not intentionally looking for their Messiah's arrival.

Melchizedek brought:

Melchizedek brought bread and wine to Abraham in celebration of the victory over Lot's abductors.

When Jesus was eating the Passover meal with His disciples just before His crucifixion, He explained the meaning of the those elements. The unleavened bread represented His body and the wine represented His blood. Jesus brought them to be eaten and drank in celebration of the victory over sin and death.

Melchizedek blessed:

Melchizedek stated God's blessing upon Abraham by saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" (Genesis 14:19-20)

Jesus conquered mankind's greatest enemies: sin and death. "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) Then He concluded His life by stating the ultimate blessing, "It is finished." (John 19:30)

Melchizedek is:

Melchizedek's identity is contained in the meaning of his name: "first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace." He is an amazing foreshadow of Jesus.

Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be the ultimate ruler who would attain godly righteousness and peace. "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Let's pause again and consider the events that we've read to this point. God promised Abraham that he would have many offspring and that they would live in a land that would be their own. But before entering the land, they would "be oppressed and enslaved in a foreign land for four hundred years" (Genesis 15:13-14). At just the right time, Moses was chosen to lead the people out of oppression and slavery –out of Egypt– and his brother Aaron was chosen to be his spokesperson (the high priest). After crossing the Red Sea, the people came to Mt. Sinai where Moses received the Law in its entirety (the Ten Commandments, the Levitical Law, and the others) and he relayed it to the people. That Law provided Aaron with the visible trappings of his authority –the special clothing, the tabernacle, and the ceremonies. (This is mostly in Numbers 13-14 and Deuteronomy 1.) Now, let's return to our story.

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?

For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.

For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.

For it is attested of Him, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK." (Hebrews 7:11-17)

Aaron was the first high priest. He was appointed to mediate between God and man to resolve the conflicts that were brought to light by the Law. To that end, Aaron conveyed God's desires to the people: He wanted an intimate relationship with them just as it was in the Garden of Eden –and just as it was with Abraham on his journey. They were dependent upon Him as their God. Aaron also conveyed the people's desires to God: they wanted changes in their circumstances according to what they thought was best at the time.

Those "conflicts" were the result of man's fallen nature. The Law, with its commands, rules, regulations, ordinances and statutes as given through Moses, proved to the people that they were unrighteous to their very core –it's mankind's nature. That's the importance of the Ten Commandments. Those ten basic demands were intended to condemn every man so that he knew that death –eternal separation from God– was his final destination unless the life of a suitable sacrifice was offered in his place.

To represent God, the high priest was to be unpolluted by the world in which he served so that he could effectively communicate God's desires. Since he was a mere man with a fallen nature, he had to observe the Law in order to be ceremonially cleansed of his own unrighteousness. Only then was he qualified to point out to the people their rebellious nature and ceremoniously cleanse them, too.

To represent the people, the high priest had to be a man who was familiar with the troubles of life and who realized and confessed the people's guilt. He was to plead for their undeserved mercy and to make the necessary offerings and sacrifices. Those earthly offerings and sacrifices could never close the chasm between man and God, but they were required to be religiously practiced as a reminder that no human efforts –not even those of the Levitical Priesthood– could ever restore a person's heart to a state of purity.

The best that the Levitical Priesthood could provide –through its Law– was a ceremonial cleansing from sin. It could not restore the righteous relationship that existed between man and God before the fall. So even if the people outwardly performed all that was required of them, God saw the motives of their hearts. Abraham's story about Isaac and the lamb was a foreshadow of God's provision of the perfect sacrificial lamb that would permanently restore that perfect relationship with Him (Genesis 22:1-3, 7-8, Genesis 22:10-14).

Both the Priesthood and the Law Changed

This passage above makes it perfectly clear that the Law and its Priesthood are inseparable. "Now if perfection was through the Levitical Priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law) . . ." and "For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also." (Hebrews 7:11 and 12) You can't have one without the other –and you can't replace the one without also replacing the other.

For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (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. (Hebrews 7:18-19)

The Law –the Old Covenant which was summed up in Ten Commandments– was set aside because it was weak and useless –it could not make a person perfect. Although it did a fine job of condemning, it couldn't make anyone acceptable to God. Something other than the Levitical Priesthood and its Law were needed to restore that perfectly righteous relationship.

Psalm 110 was written centuries before Jesus' birth –and it underscores Melchizedek's appearance in Genesis 14. The psalm contains God's announcement of the return to that briefly mentioned priesthood –the order of Melchizedek. His Son –the Messiah of Israel– was going to be its High Priest forever. To serve in that priesthood, a priest must have a life that is indestructible –one without beginning and without end. And he had to carry the blood of a better sacrifice –better than mere animals. He had to take it into the true Holy Place –heaven itself. The removal of sin required nothing less than the blood of a sinless man.

And inasmuch as it was not without an oath (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'"); so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. (Hebrews 7:20-22)

We saw in verse 12 that when the priesthood changed, the law –the covenant that defines the relationship between man and God– also had to change. Under the Old Covenant, the people's obedience determined whether they would receive blessings or curses –rewards or punishments. But throughout their history, God blessed the Hebrews because of His grace –and His curses were few because of His mercy. The people never achieved the perfection –nor did they receive the deserved penalty– as set forth by the Law.

God Himself has guaranteed a better covenant. With that covenant came a better priesthood –it's the one that was before Abraham –it's also the one that will never end. Remember the how God guaranteed His promise? (It's recorded in chapter six.) He confirmed it by doing two unchangeable things –to prove that His promise of eternal life in His kingdom was a reality. 1) His Son died for all the sins of mankind. And 2) Jesus was raised to new life –a new life that is available to all who trust in Him. Neither Jesus' death, nor His resurrection, can be undone –they are unchangeable.

There was only one way into God's Sabbath rest –into the Promised Land– and it was by following Joshua. The New Covenant is based solely on His judgment of the heart –whether or not a person chooses to follow Jesus into the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Obedience under the Old Covenant meant trusting God that the religious works would be fulfilled someday. Obedience under the New Covenant means trusting God that everything He promised has come to fulfillment through His Son –once again to quote Him: "It is finished!"

The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 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. (Hebrews 7:23-25)

The Law continued in effect –specifying the sacrifices and the priestly replacements– until the cycle of sin-and-death was broken. There was a succession of many Levitical priests. Their sacrificial offerings were never sufficient to break that cycle. But when Jesus offered His own life, He was the first, the last, the only, acceptable sacrifice to cleanse the people of all sin. God has offered the death of His sinless Lamb to reconcile the whole world to Himself. And since Jesus was also raised to new life at the right hand of the Father, all who rely on Him also receive new life.

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 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. 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. (Hebrews 7:26-28)

He is the High Priest forever. His life is eternal –it's indestructible. Sin has no power over us because the death penalty has been paid. Let me restate that. We read in 1 Corinthians 15:56 that sin's power comes from the Law. Sin is powerless because we are no longer under the Law –we accepted our due punishment of death –Jesus paid for it in total.

God Himself declared "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased" (Matthew 3:17). So when Jesus offered His own life-blood, everything that the law required was fulfilled. Since He was sinless, He was qualified to be the sacrifice –and since He was raised from the dead, He was able to offer His blood to God for payment of sins. His blood paid the death penalty that is required for all.

He is the One who –once and for all– bridged the chasm between man and God that was caused by unbelief –distrust –disobedience –sin.

One Last Note Regarding the Law

The New Covenant is not an "improved" version of that Old Covenant as many people teach. They wrongly claim that the same basic 613 laws that are found in the Old Testament are repeated in the New Testament. They also wrongly say that the New Covenant is merely a restatement of the Old Covenant's "rules" –but with a change in the consequences. If that isn't evil enough, many of these people even choose –and then rationalize– which laws remain in effect today and they prescribe their own set of punishments in order to gain control over Christian behavior.

Let me give you a simple example which comes from the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy. We Christians of today –with only a few holdouts– have wholeheartedly accepted that we keep this command by worshipping on the Lord's day –Sunday. We have multiple definitions what is means to not work on Sunday –not perform our vocation –not perform tasks that are normally done during the week such as cleaning or house maintenance –not do anything that takes our concentration from the Lord. The penalty for doing any of these is to stop doing them –attend church instead– and ask for God's forgiveness. This doesn't even approach what the Old Covenant states about the commandment –it required death. And there's no such commandment –with a penalty of stopping and apologizing– under the New Covenant.

Before you expend your efforts thinking more about what commands we do keep and how we keep them, let's remember that they are all part of the Law. And the Law was to condemn sin in mankind so that he would turn to Jesus for salvation and receive a totally new covenant –a new way to relate to God that is not based on human ability or tenacity, but on God's grace and mercy that He extended through Jesus.

Continue reading: "Chapter Eight: God's New Covenant with the Hebrews"