The writer introduced the concept of Jesus as a high priest in 2:17, “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” Then the writer added to that concept in 5:10 and 6:20 that Jesus became a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. Chapter 7 then shows how Jesus is indeed a high priest after the order of Melchizedek and the significance of that role for human salvation. It also shows how Jesus introduced a better hope and established a better covenant.
1]. What Is The Priestly Order of Melchizedek? 7:1-3
Heb 7:1 “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.”
Melchizedek is a mysterious character who suddenly appears in the history of Israel. He is described as a priest of the Most High God, Yahweh. There is no record of his birth or his death or any genealogy. Yet resembling the Son of God he continues as a priest forever.
2]. How The Priestly Order of Melchizedek Is Greater Than That Of Aaron and Levi. 7:4-10.
“See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.” Hebrews 7:4-10.
The superiority of the order of Melchizedek is shown in the following ways.
- Abraham as the inheritor of the promises of God gave tithes to Melchizedek.
- Because the superior blesses the inferior it meant that Abraham saw Melchizedek as his superior.
- Melchizedek blessed Abraham, again showing the superiority of Melchizedek.
- Even Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek [as he was in the loins of Abraham.]
3]. The Need For A New Priesthood. Comparison Of Jesus With Melchizedek. 7:11-19
Heb 7:11 “Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.”
Though the Aaronic priesthood was established by God it wasn’t a perfect priesthood.
- That was seen in the fact that generations of priests who owed their lineage to Aaron and Levi kept on making sacrifices that could never take away sin and they all died.
- There needed to be another order of priesthood that could actually take away sin and could last forever.
- The requirement for that priesthood was not that of a legal requirement regarding lineage. Rather it was established by an oath from God Himself, ”For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 7:17. Jesus had become the High Priest “by the power of an indestructible life.” 7:16.
- Thus a better hope was introduced by Jesus through which we can draw near to God. 7:19
4]. The Superiority Of The High Priesthood Of Jesus. 7:20-28.
i]. Jesus was made High Priest by a direct oath from God. 7:20-21
Heb 7:20-21, “And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’”
ii]. Jesus became the guarantor of a better covenant.7:22
“This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.”
“Guarantor” is from [engyos; ἔγγυος] meaning a pledge, security, sponsor.
The eternal priesthood of Jesus who was appointed a High Priest by an oath of God is the guarantee that all God’s promises will be fulfilled in Him.
iii]. Jesus’ Priesthood Lasts For Ever. 7:22-23
“The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost [pantelēs; παντελής throughout all time] those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
- There was a weakness in the lineage of Aaronic high priests. They could only offer sacrifices during their lifetimes. But being mortal, they all died and could not continue in office.
- Jesus, being alive forever, can continue to make intercession [entynchano; ἐντυγχάνω = entreat, to plead the cause of anyone] for His people.
- Because He is eternal, His priesthood is eternal and He can save all those who draw near to God through Him.
iv]. Jesus was appointed a High Priest By An Oath Of God. 7:26-28
Heb 7:26 “For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
- The former high priests had to offer daily sacrifices for their own sins as they were not perfect. But Jesus was perfect and offered a single sacrifice for sins, [once for all] when He offered Himself.
- “Once for all” is from [ephapax; ἐφάπαξ meaning on one occasion for all people.]
It is also found in Heb 9:12 “he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” And in Heb 10:10 “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
- Jesus’ single sacrifice of Himself on the cross
Saved those who draw near to God through Him. Heb 7:25.
Secured an eternal redemption for those who trust in Him. 9:12
Sanctified His people [Set them apart to belong to the people of God] according to the will of God. 10:10.
Summing up
As I wrote at the beginning of this article, this chapter shows how Jesus introduced a better hope and established a better covenant. It is a better hope as in 7:19, “a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.”
And it is a better covenant in that Jesus’ eternal priesthood means that “Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.” Heb 7:22. The covenant promises will never cease.
As St Paul wrote, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” Eph 1:7.
Blog No.521 posted on Wednesday 31 January 2024
holbeck 
521. Hebrews chapter 7. “Jesus The Greatest High Priest Secured An Eternal Redemption For His People.”
The writer introduced the concept of Jesus as a high priest in 2:17, “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” Then the writer added to that concept in 5:10 and 6:20 that Jesus became a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. Chapter 7 then shows how Jesus is indeed a high priest after the order of Melchizedek and the significance of that role for human salvation. It also shows how Jesus introduced a better hope and established a better covenant.
1]. What Is The Priestly Order of Melchizedek? 7:1-3
Heb 7:1 “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.”
Melchizedek is a mysterious character who suddenly appears in the history of Israel. He is described as a priest of the Most High God, Yahweh. There is no record of his birth or his death or any genealogy. Yet resembling the Son of God he continues as a priest forever.
2]. How The Priestly Order of Melchizedek Is Greater Than That Of Aaron and Levi. 7:4-10.
“See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.” Hebrews 7:4-10.
The superiority of the order of Melchizedek is shown in the following ways.
3]. The Need For A New Priesthood. Comparison Of Jesus With Melchizedek. 7:11-19
Heb 7:11 “Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.”
Though the Aaronic priesthood was established by God it wasn’t a perfect priesthood.
4]. The Superiority Of The High Priesthood Of Jesus. 7:20-28.
i]. Jesus was made High Priest by a direct oath from God. 7:20-21
Heb 7:20-21, “And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’”
ii]. Jesus became the guarantor of a better covenant.7:22
“This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.”
“Guarantor” is from [engyos; ἔγγυος] meaning a pledge, security, sponsor.
The eternal priesthood of Jesus who was appointed a High Priest by an oath of God is the guarantee that all God’s promises will be fulfilled in Him.
iii]. Jesus’ Priesthood Lasts For Ever. 7:22-23
“The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost [pantelēs; παντελής throughout all time] those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
iv]. Jesus was appointed a High Priest By An Oath Of God. 7:26-28
Heb 7:26 “For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.
It is also found in Heb 9:12 “he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” And in Heb 10:10 “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
Saved those who draw near to God through Him. Heb 7:25.
Secured an eternal redemption for those who trust in Him. 9:12
Sanctified His people [Set them apart to belong to the people of God] according to the will of God. 10:10.
Summing up
As I wrote at the beginning of this article, this chapter shows how Jesus introduced a better hope and established a better covenant. It is a better hope as in 7:19, “a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.”
And it is a better covenant in that Jesus’ eternal priesthood means that “Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.” Heb 7:22. The covenant promises will never cease.
As St Paul wrote, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” Eph 1:7.
Blog No.521 posted on Wednesday 31 January 2024
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About Jim Holbeck
Once an Industrial Chemist working for the Queensland Government but later an Anglican minister in Brisbane, Armidale and Sydney. Last position for eighteen years before retirement in 2006 was as the Leader of the Healing Ministry at St Andrew's Cathedral Sydney.