Who the Heck is Melchizedek? (Hebrews 7:1–14)
Hebrews 7:1–14 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. 4 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. 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.
Like puzzles, games, word puzzles, brain teasers, escape rooms=mental challenge
- Open & Closed Handed Issues
- Bible Mysteries = fun to investigate (our family)
Melchizedekians. Ancient cult lasted 20 yrs – Melchizedek greater than Jesus, Jesus made in the image of Melchizedek. Believe in Melchizedek to be saved.
Melchizedek Appears 3 Places in Scripture
Genesis 14:18-20 Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he [Melchizedek] blessed him [Abraham] and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Psalm 110 is a “Messianic Psalm” (quoted in Hebrews 5:6, 6:20, 7:14, 7:21), ““The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool. The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!…“You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 5:6, 5:10, 6:20, 7:1-14
- Does not appear in Genesis genealogies (5,9,10)
- Name Melchizedek =“King of Righteousness”
- King of Salem = “King of Peace” (similar Isaiah 9:6 Jesus “Prince of Peace”)
Who the Heck is Melchizedek? 1). Type Christ 2). Christ
Option #1: 6 Reasons Melchizedek might be a type of Christ
A type is an actual person or event in the Old Testament that is ultimately fulfilled in Christ as the antetype.
Typology = visual prophecy/sign about future (image seen v words spoken)
- Genesis is filled with people who are types of Christ (e.g. Adam, Abel, Noah), and Melchizedek may be yet another.
- Jesus and Melchizedek are both Prophet, Priest, and King.
- Jesus and Melchizedek are priests, but not, “after the order of Aaron” (Hebrews 7:11).
- Melchizedek is not said to be Jesus Christ, but rather, “resembling the Son of God” (Hebrews 7:3). 400 yrs Abr-Aaron
- Melchizedek is called a, “great…man”, not God (Hebrews 7:4).
- Melchizedek and Jesus are greater than the priests of Aaron, “if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood…what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:11).
=Priesthood & Sacrifices – tainted by sinners, need priest outside system
Option #2: 6 Reasons Melchizedek might be Christ
A Christophany is, “a manifestation of Christ”, or Jesus making a cameo appearance before His incarnation.
=If you live in a 2-story house, it’s no big deal to live upstairs & come downstairs.
- Genesis 18 (“the Lord appeared” to Abraham), and Genesis 32 (Jacob said, “I have seen God face to face”) are Christophanies, and Genesis 14 could be the same.
- Sounding like Jesus at the Last Supper, “Melchizedek…brought out bread and wine” to Abraham” (Genesis 14:18). 400 yrs to Passover, 2000 yrs to Jesus Last Supper
- We tithe to God, Abraham is the first person to tithe and, “apportioned a tenth part of everything” to Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:2).
- Melchizedek appears eternal, “without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life…he continues a priest forever (Hebrews 7:3).”
- Melchizedek is greater than the head of the Abrahamic Covenant, “the inferior is blessed by the superior” (Hebrews 7:7).
- Melchizedek is the “king of Salem” (short for Jerusalem) before Abraham’s son Isaac is born, or the nation of Israel and capital of Jerusalem exist. Jesus’ forever rules over, “the heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22). 400-500 yrs David purchased land for Old City of Jerusalem including where Abraham “sacrificed” Isaac
Take a vote – raise hands
- How many think it was a regular guy point to Jesus, or a type?
- How many think it was actually Jesus and not a regular guy?
- How many don’t care and want the band to come play more songs?
=THANK YOU. BIBLE HUMBLE & CAPTIVATING. = HS DEPTHS
7 Things We Learn About Jesus from Melchizedek
- Jesus Christ is the King of Righteousness
- Jesus Christ is the King of Salem, and coming again to bring the “Heavenly Jerusalem” to earth.
- Jesus Christ appears to us like Melchizedek appeared to Abraham
- Jesus Christ has set bread and wine in communion for us to eat with Him
- Jesus Christ calls us to tithe 10% to Him
- Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest who lives forever
- Jesus Christ is greater, and blesses us
