Overview of Hebrews 7

HEBREWS 7:1-19

MYSTERIOUS MELCHIZEDEK!

In this chapter, the writer returns to a theme he has introduced earlier (see 5:6,10; 6:20).  Remember, there was a "digression" from 5:11-6:19.  Now the writer takes up Melchizedek in earnest, and uses him as a "type" of Christ.

"Typology" is defined as "a way of setting forth the Biblical history of salvation so that some of its earlier phases are seen as anticipations of later phases, or some later phase as the recapitulation or fulfillment of a later phase." (F. F. Bruce, article "Type" in New Bible Dictionary, p. 1226).

Referring to the account in Genesis 14:18-20, the writer takes five qualities from Melchizedek and applies them typologically to Christ.  They are:

  1. Melchizedek's Status (7:1) - "Priest of the most high     God."

  2. Melchizedek's Authority (7:1) - King, ruler, suggesting power and control.

  3. Melchizedek's Name (7:2)

          a. By interpretation (translation) - "King of righteous-      ness"

          b. By position - "King of Salem" which translates to "King          of peace."

          c. See Isaiah 9:6,7; 11:1-5; Luke 2:10-14; 1 John 2:1.

  4. Melchizedek's Uniqueness (7:3)

          a. "without father, without mother"

          b. "without descendents"

          c. "having neither beginning of life nor end of days"

          d. Some, missing the point of these descriptions, have             identified Melchizedek as Michael, the archangel; or as      another heavenly being.  Some have identified him with         Shem, the son of Noah.

  5. Melchizedek's Superiority (7:4-10)

          a. Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek, demonstrating that      priest's greatness (7:4-6).

          b. Melchizedek blessed Abraham (7:6,7).

          c. Levi, since he was descended from Abraham, also gave       tithes (representatively) to Melchizedek (7:9,10).

  Conclusion: Melchizedek is a more fitting "type" of Christ's priesthood than the whole Levitical system (7:11-19).

          1. The Levitical priesthood was imperfect, or there would         have been no need for another priest after the "order"    (manner, nature) of Melchizedek (7:11).

          2. In order for the priesthood to be changed - from Levi           to Judah - it was necessary for the to be changed                  (7:12-14).

          3. The priesthood of Christ is predicated on the "power of        an endless life": Christ is "a priest for ever. . ."           (7:15-17).

          4. Christ can bring us near to God, something the law with       its priesthood could never do (7:18,19).

A SUPERIOR PRIESTHOOD

Hebrews 7:20-28

Hebrews 7:1-19 has shown how Christ's priesthood was typified by Melchizedek.  Melchizedek's uniqueness hinged upon his status as "priest of the most high God;" his name ("King of righteousness") and position (King of Salem, which means "King of peace"); the fact that his priesthood was not dependent upon his heritage; and the honor given him by Abraham through the paying of tithes.

          In the rest of this chapter the writer presents three ways in which the priesthood of Jesus is superior to anything these readers had ever known!

    I. Its Oath (7:20,21)

            A. An oath is a confirmation of a promise or intention                    (6:16,17).

            B. The LORD will not "repent," i.e., he will not change                   his mind regarding Jesus' priesthood.

            C. Thus, since God swore with an oath, "Thou art a                      priest for ever. . ." (Ps. 110:4), then we can be               sure that Jesus is a priest for ever!

   II. Its "Surety" (7:22)

            A. Three words in verse 22 deserve special attention.

                    1. "Better" is a recurring theme in this letter.  We                     read of:

                       a. A "more excellent" (better) name (1:4)

                       b. A better hope (7:19)

                       c. A better testament (covenant) (7:22)

                       d. Better promises (8:6)

                       e. A better sacrifice (9:23)

                       f. A better substance (possession) (10:34)

                       g. A better country (11:16)

                       h. A better life (11:35)

                       i. Better blood than Abel's (12:24)

                    2. Covenant or testament is a word which will                          dominate chapters 8 and 9.

                       a. Sometimes the word refers to a mutual agree-                         ment, or contract, between two men.  Two war-                              ring kings who negotiate a peace settlement                            would be such an example.

                       b. In God's dealings with man, covenant does not                         refer to a mutually negotiated agreement.

                       c. Rather, God graciously decided to enter into a                          contract with man, spelled out its terms, and                         then ratified it with the blood of His own Son.

                    3. Surety or guarantor is a word which occurs only                   this one time in all the New Testament.

                       a. A guarantor is one who assures that a contract                         will be honored.  The modern practice of                                         bonding may be an illustration.

                       b. Jesus is the assurance of what we have, even                          though we do not see it!

                       c. "Paul expresses the fact (that God's promises                          will be kept, KWB) by saying that the Holy                                       Spirit comes to us on earth . . . as the                                      heavenly gift and pledge of our redemption (2                              Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:14).  Hebrews does it by                                     showing that, after Jesus had offered the                                       vicarious sacrifice of Himself, he ascended to                       God in heaven, where He now acts as the                                 guarantor and representative of those who are                              still on earth awaiting the rest promised to                            the people of God. . ." (New International                                       Dictionary of New Testament Theology, Vol. 1,                                p. 372).

  III. Its Priest (7:23-28)

            A. His Permanent Achievement (vv. 23,24)

            B. His Limitless Power (v. 25)

            C. His Sinless Character (vv. 26,27)

            D. His Perfect Offering (vv. 27,28)

Conclusion: The application of these verses is:

  1. Trust God's word!  Our salvation is not dependent upon our changeable feelings or on our wavering experience!  Since Christ is a priest for ever, we can always count on having an intercessor in heaven!

  2. Apropriate Christ's sacrifice!  His death on the cross is of no practical benefit if we are not "washed in the blood of the Lamb"!