August 29, 2014 Hebrews Chapter 7

Please note:  Taking a break for Labor Day weekend -   Will resume Tuesday, 9/2/14

Hebrews Chapter 7

Originally posted Monday October 20, 2008 

General Comment: The author has mentioned on three occasions that Jesus is the Great High Priest "after the order (type of priest) of Melchizedek. "Order" (or "Offices") is understood as specific groupings of the Temple priesthood similar to the order of Deacons and Elders in some denominations. In the Jerusalem Temple priests were called to serve in rotation a week at a time. They lived throughout Judea and traveled to the Temple when their "course" was scheduled - by the liturgical calendar. There were twenty four "courses of priests. Two groups serving the Temple can be distinguished. The official order of priests was the Levitical priesthood, originally descended from the tribe of Levi. The second group consisted of the Levites. Priests were in charge of the rites of sacrifice made twice daily and on other ceremonial occasions, and teaching of the Law. The Levites, not descendents of Aaron, were a lesser order which served as "helpers" of the Levitical Priests, maintaining the altars and holy vessels as well as acting as singers and musicians. One particularly important function of the Levites was the preservation and passing on the teachings of Torah.

Hebrews, Chapter 7:10 Priestly Order of Melchizedek

Paul used the story of Abraham to define faith as the source of righteousness. "Hebrews" uses the mention of Melchizedek in Gen. 14:17-20 to define Jesus as the Great High Priest "forever." The essential but brief details are that he was the king of Salem (of peace) whose name means "king of righteousness." He was the priest of "God Most High," Yahweh, the God of Abraham. After a great battle Melchizedek came to Abraham and blessed him and Abraham gave him one tenth of what he had gained - presumably spoils of battle. The key to understanding Jesus as of the same order or of a type as Melchizedek is Ps. 110:4 in which, as already noted, the Psalm was understood (by our author) as God's appointment of Jesus to that role, forever. The question remains, how is it that Jesus, not of the tribe of Levi and one who opposed the priests in his lifetime received this appointment from God? The answer is not easy to discern. There is nothing else in the New Testament to verify that this was accepted belief apart from "Hebrews," a writing strongly oriented toward Jewish Christians.  Other than Psalm 110 and the cited Genesis reference there is no other Old Testament reference to Melchizedek. However, there are several extracanonical sources which indicate that there was speculative thought about him in other writings. It is from these sources that the author gives the "biography" of Melchizedek. He was without father and mother; he is without genealogy, with "neither beginning of days nor end of life." Thus described, he resembles the Son of God and "remains a priest forever." He appears for a moment and then disappears. He is indeed quite a mystery.

But there is more:

1 Melchizedek's greatness and superior authority is given witness by two actions.

2 First, Melchizedek received a tenth of the spoils of war from Abraham.

3 In an interesting but ancient understanding of human biology, the author comments on the mortal descendents of Levi who were uniquely commanded to collect the tithes from "their kindred."

4 These descendents of Levi are also, by lineage, the descendents of Abraham.

5 But Melchizedek is a case in point of a non-descendent - a non-mortal, who collected a tithe from Abraham. 

6 The descendents of Levi are considered already to be in the "Loins" of Abraham at the time he offered the tithe to Melchizedek.

7 So, the author reasons, Levi himself - the mortal receiver of the tithes of others, has paid tithes "through Abraham" to the immortal Melchizedek who does not share the proper lineage. In fact, according to the author, he has no lineage - he is forever.

In a second and confirming act, Melchizedek performs the rite of blessing over Abraham. In Jewish tradition the one who pronounces the blessing is superior to the one who receives it.

Hebrews, Chapter 7:11-28 Another Priest Like Melchizedek

The author turns to the need for "another priest like Melchizedek." Perfection (righteousness) could not be achieved through the descendents of Levi who were the arbiters of the Law. Therefore, someone of a different order of priest, not "one of the order of Aaron" or a descendent of Levi, was necessary if righteousness was to become possible. Such a change will also achieve a "change in the Law." For the author, Jesus is the one who is like Melchizedek. From a human perspective Jesus is not a descendent of Levi. He was of the tribe of Judah and according to the Law not eligible to serve as a priest. Further more, like Melchizedek, Jesus has become a priest not through the Law and "physical descent" as Levi did but through the "indestructible life" of the exalted Christ. It is to this that the Psalm speaks: "you are a priest forever (indestructible)." In this manner the Law has been changed. The requirements of the Law have been set aside, replaced by the Law of faith as the path to righteousness, a destination unreachable under the Law. Now there is a "better hope" for those seeking God. The author again raises the difference between Jesus as the priest and the descendents of Levi: The Levitical priests became priests through heritage, their descent from Levi. Jesus became the priest - the Great High Priest, by an oath which was not his own but uttered by God (Ps. 110:4). The outcome of this reasoning by the author is that Jesus was the guarantor of "a better covenant," built upon a new hope rooted in faith rather than the Law.

Again from the human perspective the author writes that there were many Levitical priests (over time) because each generation died and new generations replaced them. Jesus has no such restriction of time because he holds his position permanently as "a priest forever." While the Levitical priests (in the person of the High Priest) can offer forgiveness to Israel on the Day of Atonement during his lifetime, Jesus can forgive (justify/save) those who come to God through Christ in faith "all the time." Because he is the Great High Priest forever he can make intercession to God on their behalf and "save completely."

In summary the author reviews Jesus' superior qualifications to be the High Priest forever. He is holy, blameless, without sin and" exalted above the heavens." He does not have to make sacrifices on a daily basis for himself and others as the Levitical priests did. He accomplished forgiveness for all through his personal sacrifice - the cross of obedience, "once and for all." We often miss the spiritual power of this concept of forgiveness. To say that forgiveness for all was offered once and for all means that forgiveness is available at all times to those who, in faith, turn to or back to God. There is no bargaining or negotiations. Forgiveness is simply there as the grace of God for those who ask in faith and hope for a better life.

We would do well to consider such forgiveness without strings. It is unconditional. It brings healing and restoration between those who are estranged. It allows the possibility of a new dialog without the impediment of divisive attitudes of absolutes. It accepts others as equals with a point of view worth hearing and the personal grace to accept differences in those views without condemnation. Jesus emphasized forgiveness as a characteristic of the Christian life. We cannot be whole as long as the hedges of non-forgiveness are allowed to flourish.