Take Two: Hebrews 7, Proverbs 18

The writer resumes his argument on the uniqueness and superiority of Christ...drawing an analogy to Melchizedek. We see this shift begin in Heb 6:20 where the writer tells us that Jesus is a High Priest according to (just as) the order of Melchizedek. Follow his argument.

• Jewish Law teaches that the Priests are from the Levite Tribe.
• They become Levites by physical birth.
• All Levites point backward to the Patriarch Abraham, since they are his descendents.

So, if all priests come from Abraham, then how is it that Abraham acknowledged and honored the priest Melchizedek?

(Understand that the author is not denouncing the priesthood of the Levites. He is not even arguing that Melchizedek is someone great. In his mind, Melchizedek is a great example, ALREADY ACCEPTED by his readers, of a priest who was not a Levite...so, he is a perfect "TYPE" to be compared with Christ.)

Heb 7:1-2 describes Melchizedek as "priest of the Most High God," and the king of Salem (peace). His name means "king of Righteousness" (from the Hebrew- Melek {King}, Chizdek {Righteousness}). So, you have a man who is the king of righteousness and peace, who is a priest of the Most High God who is not a Levite. In fact, nothing is known of Melchizedek's birth, death, or ancestry (Heb 6:3).

All of the readers would have already acepted that Melchizedek was a priest and worthy of honor since "Father Abraham" saw fit to give him a "tithe" of all of the spoils (Heb 7:2).

Now follow the argument: Since Abraham honored Melchizedek, it was implied that Melchizedek was (at least in this role) superior to Abraham. Since all of the Levite priests (including the High Priest) are descendents of Abraham...then by inference, Melchizedek was superior to them as well...and this without being a Jew (Heb 7:4-7).

Heb 7:11-13 then "draws the net." If the Levitical priesthood was the "way" to go and Jewish Law adherence was the key, why was there another priest named Melchizedek? (The writer's goal was to get his audience "nodding" along with him...so he could draw the parallel with Jesus.)

Heb 7:14-28 shows that Jesus was not a Levite, but like Melchizedek, He is superior to the levitical priesthood. This is evident since:

• God declared him a priest forever (Heb 7:17)
• Jesus is a Priest, not on the basis of physical descent, but based on the power of His life (Heb 7:16)
• God swore that Jesus' Priesthood would not change or expire (Heb 7:21)
• There were many Levites (since they died and changed) but there was only one Jesus since He was a priest forever (Heb 7:23-24)
• Other priests offered sacrifices daily for their sins and the sins of the people, but Jesus offered Himself ONCE for ALL (Heb 7:26-27).

Bear in mind, the writer wants the reader to grasp the fact that once they have the "perfect," they cannot return to the "imperfect." It will not be sufficient. His goal is not to win a theological argument, but to encourage them to stand firm in the faith they confessed toward Christ.

Sometimes, we all need encouragement. We want to walk away or become apathetic toward things of God. When we look at who Christ is, it should stir us to new or renewed passion for Him! He is worthy of our passionate pursuit.

Proverbs 18:11 is the takeaway. Every person has a point of security. In his mind (imagination), he believes that his security is sufficient to protect him. In this proverb, the security is the "rich man's wealth." It is security to him because he possesses it. He becomes prideful and maybe even boastful in his own security. However, his security is not sufficient if it is found outside of God. God alone secures. All else will be brought down, because God desires that we trust in Him alone as our strong tower (Prov 18:10).

Grace,