Sunday Night Bible Study Hebrews 7:4-28 May 1, 1994 Hebrews 7:4-28 Hebrews 7 Intro: We are reading a letter written to Jewish believers. People who understand the intricacies of the Old Testament Law and sacrificial system. People familiar with the priesthood of Aaron. We're now going to see a challenge to that priesthood. We're continuing our look in detail into Melchizedek 4 Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. :4 this man Melchizedek :5 the sons of Levi the Jewish priesthood was descended from Levi. :6 he whose descent is not counted from them Namely Melchizedek, because he was not descended from Levi. :6 blessed him that had the promises Abraham had the promises and blessings of God. Before he ever met this Melchizedek, look what God said to Abraham: Ge 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. When I look at this, I think that Abraham should be the one handing out blessings. But does he do any blessing in Genesis 14? No! Melchizedek does the blessing. :7 the less is blessed of the better In the Old Testament you see this pattern - A father who has walked with God gathers his children together and blesses them, passing on the touch of God to them. Isaac blessing Jacob (though tricked) - Genesis 27 Jacob blessing his grandsons (Genesis 48), and his sons (Genesis 49) The one that "has" gives to the one that "hasn't". In other words, Melchizedek was greater than Abraham. 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he [receiveth them], of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. :8 men that die The Levitical priests :9 Levi ... payed tithes Since Levi was a great grandson of Abraham, in a sense, he being in the loins of Abraham, was there giving tithes to Melchizedek too. What's the writer trying to say? He's building up to his point that the priesthood of Melchizedek is better or greater than the Levitical priesthood. 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need [was there] that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? :11 that another priest should rise ... This takes us back to our original quote in Hebrews 5:6 that first introduced us to the whole Melchizedek thing. The writer was in turn quoting David in Psalm 110: Ps 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Now, if the Levitical priesthood was intended to be the only priesthood ever necessary, and all that we'd ever need to be able to get to God, then how come after the Levitical priesthood had been operating for several hundred years, did God give this prophecy that someone after another completely different priesthood would arise, and that he'd be a priest forever? Why the need for a Melchizedek priesthood if the Levitical was enough? In other words, God knew and planned all along to make a change in priesthoods somewhere along the line. 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For [it is] evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. :12 a change also of the law A change is necessary because in the Mosaic Law, only those of the tribe of Levi could become priests. Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, and not qualified to be a priest under the Mosaic Law. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. :16 a carnal commandment It's not saying that the Mosaic law was carnal or fleshly. But that priests became priests through the flesh, because they simply inherited the position from their fathers. :16 the power of an endless life In the quote from Psalm 110:4, He is a priest FOREVER. He became a great priest because of His endless life, not because he simply fell into it because of his earthly father. His endless life is proven by His resurrection. SIDE NOTE: At about this point in the study, just how important do you think it is that we believe that Jesus rose from the dead? It's VERY important! The resurrection makes Jesus to be our perfect High Priest. Isn't it amazing (or sad) that some "Christian" churches don't believe in the resurrection? 18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God. :18 a disannulling of the commandment athetesis 1) abolition, disannulling, put away, rejection NIV: setting aside. The Law is no longer the manner in which we try to reach God. In a way, it never was. Note about Mormonism: The Mormons make a big deal about their claim to have the "restored" Levitical priesthood of Aaron. If you know Hebrews 7, you realize that it's foolish to try to restore something that was not only imperfect, but something that God had done away with. :19 the law made nothing perfect perfect - teleioo 1) to make perfect, complete 1a) to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end 2) to complete (perfect) 2a) add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full 2b) to be found perfect 3) to bring to the end (goal) proposed 4) to accomplish 4a) bring to a close or fulfilment by event 4a1) of the prophecies of the scriptures It's the idea we've seen before: Maturity, growing up. Does this mean the Law is bad? We don't want to confuse this to say that the Law was bad. The Law is good, it was given to serve a purpose. Ga 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. The Law was given to show us just how much we needed a Savior. The Law itself is perfect, but no man can keep it completely. We need to be careful of legalism. Legalism, trying to keep the law perfectly, is deadly. 2Co 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Legalistic churches don't grow, they kill instead of give life. :19 the bringing in of a better hope did It's by trusting in Jesus and His work for us that we become perfect. How am I made perfect? Jesus makes the changes in our lives little by little, from the inside out. 2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord. We just keep looking in the mirror of the Word, looking to Jesus, and we find our selves changing bit by bit, to looking more like Him. We may end up looking like a person who is trying to keep the Law, because we're doing many of the same things, but for a different reason. We do them because we love Jesus and have learned to trust Jesus. They do them because they "have to", because they are trying to follow this external code. 20 And inasmuch as not without an oath [he was made priest]: 21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. :20 as not without an oath ... The Levitical priests were made priests because they inherited the position from their fathers. Jesus was made a priest because God swore an oath, making Him a priest. 23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. :23 were many priests The Levitical priests had a bad habit. They died. Jesus, on the other hand, lives forever. :25 he is able also to save them to the uttermost Uttermost - not just forever, but completely and totally. Not a half-way job When Jesus saves us, He doesn't do a half-way job. He doesn't just save you from 25 sins, or only four years' worth of sins. He saves you from all of them. Saved from everything. There is nothing that Jesus can't save you from. Absolutely nothing. You may feel like you've really done the worse thing that could ever be done. Yet Jesus is able to save you. 1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. You don't have to be afraid of ever being separated from God again. :25 he ever liveth to make intercession for them He's on your side! 1Jo 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: Marriage counseling - it's hard not to take sides. When one person tells you their side of the story, they sure sound convincing. But it's kind of hard to tell which side is the correct one. Satan is constantly accusing you before the Father. But Jesus is always taking your side with the Father. He's always on duty! Jesus isn't just available from 9-5. He's always available. Doesn't rely on phone mail. 26 For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. :26 such an high priest became us We say to a person, "those clothes become you", in that it looks nice on her. Or, "it is fitting", it is proper that Jesus should be this kind of High Priest for us. We need this great of a High Priest. :26 holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens holy {Became us} (ˆmin eprepen. Imperfect active indicative of rep“as in #2:10|, only there it was applied to God while here to us. "Such" (oioutos refers to the Melchizedek character of Jesus as high priest and in particular to his power to help and save (#2:17 f.) as just explained in #7:24 f.| Moffatt notes that "it is generally misleading to parse a rhapsody" but the adjectives that follow picture in outline the qualities of the high priest needed by us. {Holy} (osios. , as already noted. Cf. #Ac 2:24; 13:35|. . In N.T. only here and #Ro 16:18|.{Separated from sinners} (ech“rismenos apo t“n hamart“l“n. Perfect passive participle. Probably referring to Christ's exaltation (#9:28|). {Made higher than the heavens} (upsˆloteros t“n ouran“n genomenos. "Having become higher than the heavens." Ablative case (uran“n after the comparative adjective (upsˆloteros. hosios 1) undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure holy, pious. RWP: Saintly, pious We sing, "You are beauty and light, no darkness at all" You don't have to worry about finding out some kind of secret fault in Jesus. When we look to people to be our priests and not to Jesus, we're going to be disappointed because we're going to eventually find faults and sin in their lives. We have this desire to be brought to God by someone who is pure. Only Jesus can meet this requirement. All others will disappoint you. harmless akakos 1) without guile or fraud, harmless, free from guilt NIV: Blameless RWP: guileless; without malice, innocent I like the idea of harmless. You don't have to be afraid when you're around Jesus. He's not going to hurt you. Some people have grown up in abusive situations. They have grown to mistrust people, expecting to eventually be ripped off by them. Not so with Jesus. Even when you're going through trials, this idea is going to be tested. Is Jesus trying to destroy you? Or is He trying to grow you up, doing things for your best interest? It's very disturbing to hear of these priests and ministers who are convicted of child abuse. Jesus will never do that to you. undefiled amiantos 1) not defiled, unsoiled 1a) free from that by which the nature of a thing is deformed and debased, or its force and vigour impaired RWP: Untainted, stainless. In the papyri. Not merely ritual purity, but real ethical cleanness. Jesus didn't just obey the rituals in the Law, but fulfilled the very intent also. He wasn't just a cold, correct person, but a nice guy as well. separate from sinners There is no connection in His life with what you find in the lives of people captured by sin. You'll never find any sin in His life. This does not mean that He doesn't hang around sinners, or that He has some sort of "holier than thou" mentality. Mr 2:15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? 17 When Jesus heard [it], he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Jesus hangs around sinners, not to be like them, but to love them and call them to repent. made higher than the heavens Jesus isn't just one portrait hanging in heaven's hall of fame. He's higher than all else. Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; 11 And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Lesson: This is the kind of High Priest we need. This is someone we can trust, someone who's pure, someone reliable, someone who's good. :27 this he did once The other priests were continually having to follow the correct procedures of first taking care of their own sins through sacrifice, then taking care of your sins through sacrifice. They were human, being sinners too. Jesus only had to make one sacrifice for sins. He didn't need to sacrifice for Himself, He was sinless. And the sacrifice He made for your sins wasn't just any old bull or goat, it was His own eternal, infinite life. He gave an infinite payment for the price of your sins, enough to cover all your sins, and the sins of the entire world. 28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. The word of the oath (Psalm 110) came after the Mosaic Law. It made Jesus a priest forever. Main Lesson: Why this whole chapter? To tell us that we don't need the Levitical priesthood anymore! We don't need anybody else to take care of our sins for us and to bring us to God. Why is Jesus better than the Levitical priests? (10 reasons) 1) :4-7 Melchizedek is greater than Abraham because he did the blessing. 2) :8-10 Melchizedek is greater than Levi because Levi was inside Abraham when he paid tithes to Melchizedek. 3) :11 God never planned for the Levitical priesthood to be the final priesthood. 4) :15-17 Jesus is a better high priest because He lives forever. 5) :18-19 The Law can't make you perfect, Jesus can. Jesus is better. 6) :20-22 Jesus was made a priest by God swearing an unchangeable oath (a better situation than Levitical priests) 7) :23-25 Jesus doesn't need a replacement. He doesn't die like other priests. 8) :26 Jesus has better personal qualifications than any other priest. 9) :27 Jesus doesn't need to take care of His own sins. He doesn't have any. 10) :27 Jesus was able to pay for all your sins with one single sacrifice. His own life. What does a priest do? 1) He helps you deal with your sin, with guilt. There is no amount of self-help books or therapy that will really deal with your guilt. Only Jesus. 2) He takes you to God. There are people on the fringes who are constantly looking to human beings to bring them closer to God. No need for that. Just go to Jesus. 3) He teaches you about God. People are seeking all kinds of ways to learn about God. Crystals, books on "angelic" experiences All you need is Jesus.