Outline of Hebrews
THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK
Scripture Readings: Genesis 14:13-20; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6-11; 6:20; 7:1-25 (only references to Melchizedek in the Bible)
THOSE TO WHOM THE LETTER WAS ADDRESSED WERE "DULL OF HEARING" (Heb. 5:11) – "lazy, sluggish and indolent"
The occasion of "dullness" was lack of "having their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:14)
Trained faculties like trained soldiers depend on exercise. The limitation was not on the part of the Holy Spirit to explain, but on man’s part to grasp.
PRINCIPAL POINTS IN HEBREWS 7
Melchizedek was both king and priest; his superiority acknowledged by Abraham (vv. 1-10)
Perfection did not come through Levitical priesthood (vv. 11-19)
The Old Testament priesthood was not constituted by an oath from God (vv. 20-22)
Because of death the perpetuity of the Old Covenant priesthood depended on ‘a line of succession’ (vv. 21-25)
Old Testament priests were frail, weak and sinful (vv. 26-28)
FACTS ABOUT MELCHIZEDEK
Melchizedek means "king of righteousness" (see Heb. 7:2)
King of Salem. Salem means "peace" and is understood to refer to Jerusalem.
In 1887, a peasant discovered the "Tell El-Amarna Letters." These were cuneiform tablets (350 of them) sent by Asiatic kings to the Pharaoh Amenophis IV. (1361-1345 b.c.) at his capital Tell El-Amarna. Jerusalem is mentioned in these letters (See also Ps. 76:1, 2).
He met Abraham (Gen. 14:14-20), and blessed him.
ABRAHAM GIVES TENTH OF THE SPOILS
Chief spoils (the best) offered to victor’s deities.
By this Abraham acknowledges Melchizedek as priest of God Most High
"WITHOUT FATHER, MOTHER OR DESCENT" ["genealogy" – RSV]
Does not mean he had no parents. Subject under discussion is priestly office, No one was allowed to serve in Jewish priesthood unless he could "prove his genealogy" (refer back to lesson on "The Royal Priesthood"). We know Aaron’s genealogy because the Bible has preserved it; but not this man – the Bible is silent on his lineage.
"Beginning of day, nor end of life" means that we have no historical record of his birth or death, or the beginning or conclusion of his priestly office.
MADE LIKE UNTO THE SON OF GOD, MELCHIZEDEC AND JESUS CONTRASTED:
Melchizedec: King and priest – Jesus: King and priest
Melchizedec: King of righteousness – Jesus: King of righteousness
Melchizedec: Prince of peace – Jesus: Prince of peace
Melchizedec: No direct ancestors – Jesus: No direct ancestors
Melchizedec: No direct successors in priesthood – Jesus: No direct successors in priesthood
THE INFERIOR IS BLESSED BY THE SUPERIOR
Abraham, father of Israel, inferior to Melchizedek
Levites, and their priesthood, inferior to him
"Consider how great this man was" (v. 4)
"ANOTHER PRIEST" (Greek "heteros" meaning "entirely different")
There is no law without priesthood and no priesthood without a law. Where the priesthood changed, the law changed "of necessity" (v. 12)
Change from Metatitemi – to move right out of the way, transpose. The law was, based on the Aaronic priesthood. Now priesthood has been changed, therefore law also changed.
We cannot be under the priesthood of Christ and the Law of Moses.
"CARNAL COMMANDMENT" (Levitical priesthood)
Power of endless life (Spiritual priesthood)
DISANULLING ("athesis" – complete setting aside)
Law made nothing perfect. Because of weakness of the flesh.
Law was custodian. See Galatians 3:24, where the word "schoolmaster" (Greek – "pedagogue") referred rather to slave who was responsible for taking boy to school.
Law abolished (Eph. 2:14-17; Col. 2:13, 14)
THE OATH OF GOD USED IN MATTERS OF GRAVEST IMPORTANCE FOR THE BENEFIT OF MANKIND.
God employs an oath to demonstrate the unalterable character of His purpose (6:16, 17).
But Aaronic priesthood was inaugurated without an oath (Ex. 28) showing that God could change it.
Christ’s priesthood sworn with an oath; it is unalterable; will never be superseded (v. 24)
"Surety" means bondsman, sponsor, guarantor (v. 22)
THE ONE SACRIFICE
"The mass is a true sacrifice . . . its victim, Jesus Christ, truly present under the appearance of bread and wine. The mass is not a new sacrifice, but the continuation of the bloody sacrifice of the cross applied in an unbloody manner to the souls of individual Christians" (The Question Box, Conway).
This seems to be in contrast with the verses we have read and Hebrews 9:12-9:25, 26.
