Hebrews 7:1-28

“I’m just following orders.”

Imagine one steeped in Pentecostalism becoming a

member of the church. • There’s the music issue• The shouting in the pew

issue• The style of preaching

issue• Baptism issue• Kneeling at the altar

issue• Miraculous issue.

Chapter seven is noted by scholars as the boldest argument he is yet to present Christ as supreme over

Moses.

• The author began his dissertation on “Why Jesus the Christ is the Preferable High Priest” in 4:14. He would continue his argument all the way through to 10:18 making these distinguishing points:

Hebrews 4:14-10:18: Why Christ is the Preferable

High Priest (Earthly vs. Heavenly)• 4:14-16 …He has a better position than Aaron

(Sinful vs. Perfection)• 5:1-10 …He has nobler qualifications than Aaron

(Temporary vs. Eternal) • 7:1-28 …He originates from a better order

(Physical promises vs. Spiritual promises) 8:1-13 …He delivered a better covenant

(Behind the veil vs. In the throne room)9:1-10 …He administers from a better sanctuary

(Imperfect blood vs. Perfect blood)9:11-10:18 …He provided a better sacrifice

THE TECHNICAL ASPECT OF THE CHAPTER

A brief survey of type and antitype is necessary before

moving on.• What resulted from the

striking of the keys was the “type.” That letter is an impression from the “antitype” or the “actual” unalterable key.

7 h y d 6 g t v 7 h y d 6 g t v 7 h y d 6 g t v 7 h y d 6 g t v 7 h y d 6 g t v 7 h y d 6 g t v 7 h y d 6 g t v 7 h y d 6 g t v 7 h y d 6 g t v 7 h y d 6 g t v 7 h y d 6 g t v 7 h y d 6 g t v

Melchizedek is the Type, Jesus the Christ, the

Antitype

ANTITYPETYPE

7 h y a 6 g t v 7 h y a 6 g t v 7 h y a 6 g t v 7 h y a 6 g t v 7 h y a 6 g t v 7 h y a 6 g t v 7 h y a 6 g t v 7 h y a 6 g t v 7 h y a 6 g t v 7 h y a 6 g t v 7 h y a 6 g t v 7 h y a 6 g t v

Melchizedek Serves as an Illustration About Who Jesus

Really Is.• (1) The word "Melchizedek" means "King of righteousness,“ - the

very title of the Lord Jesus Christ. • (2) "King of Salem" means "King of peace," another appropriate title

of our Lord (Isaiah 9:6ff; Psalms 72:7). • (3) Melchizedek was both king and priest, Jesus Christ who is both

king and high priest. • (4) Melchizedek received tithes of Abraham, even as Christ receives

gifts of them that love and follow him. • (5) Melchizedek brought forth bread and wine; a strong suggestion

of the Lord's institution of the Lord's Supper. • (6) He blessed Abraham; Christ blesses his followers. • (7) Melchizedek's priesthood encompassed service to Gentiles and

Jews alike; and Christ likewise is the High Priest of all mankind. • (8) Melchizedek has no blood line to trace to priesthood; neither

does Jesus but is traced by oath.• (9) Melchizedek is given the appearance of eternal; Jesus is eternal.

Priest of God Most High (monotheism)

This means absolutely that the Jews did not develop, evolve, discover, nor in any sense whatever originate monotheism. This Melchizedek, who was not a Jew, was positively identified being associated with the Most High God. He is the same Most High God who put the finger of heavenly light upon him as a type of the Messiah in Psalms 110:4.

The readers want to be true sons of Abraham, yea, are thinking of returning to Judaism for that very reason. Well, let them look at Abraham and at the one priest to whom Abraham bowed. Let them consider what God said through David regarding the royal priest and regarding the Messiah-Christ who is typified by Melchizedek.

Tithing…….Really?• THESE YE OUGHT

TO HAVE DONE, and not to have left the others undone (Matthew 23:23).

• "There (in heaven) he (Christ) receives tithes!"

• This cannot be unless his disciples give them.

If men cannot perform the duty, God will excuse them; but no preacher of the word of God has the right to excuse men on God's behalf.

Vs. 9, 10 Returning to the Typology

• Those two facts supporting the eternal implication of Melchizedek's priesthood, to the extent of its being typical of an eternal priesthood in Christ, are: (1) the scriptures reveal no end of discontinuation of it, and (2) many centuries after Melchizedek's time, God spoke of Melchizedek's priesthood as a reality in Psalms 110:4.

THE APPLICATION ASPECT OF THE CHAPTER

Drawing Near to God vs. 11-28The New Covenant and priesthood of Jesus are superior to the

Law and Levitical priesthood because they provide the way for us to draw near to God.

• In 7:11-14, he argues for the inferiority of the current system, which only could show the separation between God and man.

• In 7:15-19, he argues for the superiority of the New Covenant and the priesthood of Jesus, according to the order of Melchizedek, which enables us to draw near to God.

• In 7:20-28, he argues for the supremacy of Jesus’ priesthood by it being made through an oath; thus access to God is secured.

7:11-14 Inferiority of the Current System

• The Law - unable to make one perfect (7:11, 19; 9:9; 10:1)

• “The Law of Moses and the Levitical priesthood came 500 years after Melchizedek met Abraham. So the author’s argument is, if the Levitical priesthood and the Law were good enough, why did God predict this new priest according to the order of Melchizedek?

• The Law and the priesthood are linked, so that when the priesthood changed, the Law had to change (7:12).

• Melchizedek and Jesus are clearly not of the tribe of Levi, and thus represent a new order of priesthood (7:13-14).

(7:15-19)The Priesthood of Jesus Enables Us to Draw

Near to God • The priesthood of

Jesus is superior because it is based on the power of an indestructible life (7:15-17).

The old covenant and the Levitical priesthood are now set aside because they were weak and useless (7:18-19a).

(7:15-19)The Priesthood of Jesus Enables Us to Draw

Near to God• The New Covenant and the priesthood of Jesus

provide a better hope through which we draw near to God (7:19b).

Dead men can’t talk to God for you but a living kingly priest has access to the throne of God and by means of being advocate (1 Jn. 2:1) therefore there is a vibrant hope for the sinner because of his drawing power v. 25.

7:20-28 Jesus’ Priesthood Supreme Because of Oath. • The oath made Jesus’ will something of

greater certainty• The oath brought about an eternal

continuance of his priesthood• The law made imperfect futile men

function as high priests whereas the oath consecrated the Son for eternity.

“God Will Not Repent”• He will never change• There is nothing beyond

the priesthood of Christ which will ever give place to the current system.

Ever lives to IntercedeEver lives to Intercede

• “Sympathy with temptation does not require the experience of sin. On the contrary, his sympathy will be fullest who has know the extremist power of temptation because he has conquered. He who yields to temptation has not known its uttermost force.” Westcott.

Higher Than the Heavens• The Levitical priest

dwelt apart in a separate house for a week prior to the day of atonement; and there may be a reference here to the fact that “Christ is separate from sinners,” not merely for a week but for all eternity.

No Comparison!The Son Aaronic Priests

Is undefiled by sin and thus has no need to offer sacrifices for His sin (7:26)

Were obligated to offer sacrifices for their own sins (7:27; see also 5:1-3)

Has a heavenly ministry (7:26) Had an earthly ministry (7:27-28)

Offered one sacrifice, once for all (7:27)

Offered daily sacrifices (7:27)

Offered Himself as the sacrifice (7:27)

Offered animal and other sacrifices (7:27)

Appointed by divine oath (7:28) Appointed on basis of ancestry (7:28)

Has been made perfect forever (7:28)

Were far from perfect, and could not lead men to perfection (7:11, 27-28)

Do You Know Why Where is a Priesthood?

• To show men what is involved in remission of sins (death, blood, continuous offering).

• To show imperfection in any earthly priesthood - there is now one who is a competent administrator.

• To show men that there is but one way to draw near to God.