Today’s reading is Leviticus 19-20 and Hebrews 7.
I listen to a podcast my company publishes and a gentleman who is commonly on there likes to say, “I’m a fan of interesting things.” For me, I would put our reading today in Hebrews 7 about Melchizedek in the category of ‘interesting things.’ We first learn about Melchizedek in Genesis 14:17-20 when Abraham meets him and gives him one tenth of everything after winning a big victory in battle to rescue his nephew Lot and the people of Sodom. If you are like me, you may have read this in Genesis before and not really understood the significance of this King Melchizedek and who he was. We find out later in Psalm 110:4 that the Messiah will come from his order (or pattern) and in our reading today in Hebrews 7 we learn about some of the uniqueness of Melchizedek. The timing of this assigned chapter in Hebrews to me for this post is also interesting since our small group is currently reading Learn the Bible in 24 Hours by Chuck Missler where he discusses this topic and where I received some of my information. I was not familiar with this previously and found it particularly fascinating when it was covered in his book.
What is so unique about Melchizedek? We are told in Genesis 14:17-20 that he is both a king and a priest. That may not mean much to most of us, but it does to Bible scholars and others with great biblical knowledge. Centuries later Jewish priests came from tribe of Levi and the order of Aaron. They were not kings. One was never both a priest and a king. We know from the Old Testament the Messiah and king would come from the tribe of Judah in Genesis 49:10 and then later in Revelation 5:5. But, Melchizedek was both the king of Salem and a priest which is unique. Psalm 110:4 tells us the Messiah will be “a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” The Messiah will be both our king and high priest.
The writer of Hebrews expands on this and its importance. He states Melchizedek, king of Salem from Genesis, has no ancestral line and is from eternal descent (Hebrews 7:3). Priests from the tribe of Levi or the order (pattern) of Aaron were born and died and while they took sacrifices for the atonement of their sins and their people’s sins, we are told here in Hebrews 7 this was imperfect and not sufficient because they were mortal. We needed a better atonement and covenant for the forgiveness of our sins from a Messiah who was not from a mortal order (pattern) of Levi/Aaron, but from the eternal order (pattern) of Melchizedek. This is described throughout Hebrews 7, but you can look particularly at Hebrews 7:21-24 and Hebrews 7:26-30.
I mentioned early I would put this in the category of ‘interesting things.’ Remember that Jerusalem did not exist when Abraham lived, but most scholars agree Salem, where Melchizedek was king, is now Jerusalem and the valley of Shaveh where they had this encounter is right next to Jerusalem. I did not find this highlighted in any of my research, but personally I find it interesting that Melchizedek brought Abraham bread and wine (Genesis 4:18) which was later what Jesus would say was representative of his body and blood given on the cross in the Last Supper and Communion which we take as a reminder still today. Abraham also gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything (Genesis 4:20), even though a tithe, 1/10 of everything, was not mentioned until the law was given to Moses later in Leviticus 27:30.
As we close this learning about the order of Melchizedek out, it is important that we underscore again what the author of Hebrews wanted us to know which my brother Chad highlighted in his post from Monday (https://www.biblejournal.net/2024/02/19/our-daily-walk/). Although Jesus was from the eternal order of Melchizedek, we know he came down to be with us as human and even as high priest we are told in Hebrews 4:14-15 He can sympathize and understands all the challenges and temptations we face. Yet, Jesus did not sin which makes him the perfect propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:1-2). For this, let us give thanks and celebrate Him today!