HEBREWS: Lesson 13 & 14 - Melchizedek and The Perfect Superior Priesthood

Review from last week (10/8/17): Hebrews 7:1-10

In Chapter 7:1-10, the author began with a description of Melchizedek. He shows how Melchizedek was a "type" of Christ and how the priesthood of Melchizedek was better than the Aaronic priesthood. He presented five ways that the priesthood of Melchizedek is better than Aaron's.

First, it was a universal priesthood, and Aaron's was national.

Secondly, it was a royal priesthood. He was a priest king. Aaron's was subject to kings.

Thirdly, it was a righteousness and peace priesthood. Aaron's could not provide either righteousness or peace.

Fourth, it was a personal priesthood. It was based on Melchizedek's own character. Aaron's was based on descent and heredity and had nothing to do with character.

Fifth, it was an eternal priesthood, and Aaron's was definitely limited by time.

So in those five ways, we see that the priesthood of Melchizedek is a superior priesthood to that of Aaron.

The Jew always felt that there was nothing superior to the Aaronic priesthood, the Levitical ritual, and to the whole ceremonial law as given to Moses. All their lives, they had been taught that the Levitical system was perfect, that it was instituted by God, that it was sufficient, and that it was permanent. But the very fact that there existed another priesthood that had superiority to Aaron's proves that Aaron's priesthood was limited and the promise that David gave in Psalm 110 was that, when Messiah came, He would not be a priest like Aaron. He would be a priest like Melchizedek, which means that whatever kind of priest Melchizedek is, it must be better than Aaron.

All along God had designed to set aside Aaron's priesthood. From the very time it was initiated, it was inferior. Even before Aaron's priesthood, Melchizedek's existed, and David said, "When Messiah comes, He will be like Melchizedek," showing that Aaron's priesthood was inadequate and would one day fall by the wayside and be replaced.

Now, this is important, because this is proof positive from the Old Testament that God never intended the covenant with Israel to go on forever, but that it would be replaced by a different priesthood. This is what the author is trying to prove - that God has set aside Judaism and brought in a new priesthood patterned after Melchizedek's.

Remember that Melchizedek was very important, because Abraham actually paid tithes to Melchizedek. Abraham, in a sense, was acting for the whole nation of Israel. So Melchizedek is greater than Aaron, and since Jesus Christ is a high priest after the order of Melchizedek, He is greater than Aaron. This is the first argument in proving to the Jews that  there is a better priest and a better covenant, and Judaism has thus been set aside.

Today's Lesson (10/15/17): Hebrews 7:11-19

The author is not finished proving that Jesus is superior to Aaron. He continues in verses 11-19 to prove that Christ is better, because David prophesied (Psalm 110:4) that Messiah would be of another order.

The key verse in this section is verse 19: "For the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God."

The goal of God in all that He does in behalf of man is that man might come into His presence. Drawing near to God is the goal of Christianity. This is the essence of Christianity. This is its highest experience. Access to His presence and coming into His presence with nothing between.

I think sometimes we forget this. Christians look at their Christian life at least three ways. Some look at their Christian life, and they see Jesus Christ as only a means to salvation and personal happiness. They're on a quest for security. Jesus is the essence of their happiness and their security and that's about as far as it ever goes. Other people look at their Christian life as a relationship to Jesus Christ, and they seek to know Christ better.

Both views are good, but if it stops there then they haven't yet grasped what Christianity is all about. It's not just about security and happiness. It's not just knowing Jesus Christ deeper and deeper. It is drawing near to God and becoming one with Him and letting nothing come between you and God. The fullest expression of our faith is to enter into the presence of God, into the Holy of Holies, and to sit on the throne with Him. The author is telling the Jew that this is now possible because of Calvary. Judaism has thus been set aside.

Imperfection of Aaronic Priesthood (11-14)

"If therefore, perfection were by the Levitical priesthood..." (v. 11)

Perfection, as used in this verse is referring to access to God; someone in the position in which he can come before God. It is the full goal of our faith. Paul said in Ephesians 2:18: "For through Him we have access by one Spirit to the Father."

In verses 12-14 the author clearly explains to his audience that Messiah was to come from another tribe, not Levi, but Judah (see Micah 5:2). It was something Moses did not talk about.

Perfection of the Superior Priesthood (15-19)

It would be a priesthood born from the power of an "endless life" rather than from a carnal or fleshly commandment. It was evident from prophecy that Jesus would rise as a different kind of priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Note: Reference Genesis 49:10 and Matthew 1:1-16 for more on the linage of Jesus.