Category: Hebrews

To Make Intercession for Them

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Hebrews 7:23-25 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continued ever, had an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lived to make intercession for them. 

‘Unchangeable priesthood’ – A priesthood not passed to another, as in the Aaronic priesthood (7:23-24).

‘Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever lived to make intercession for them.’ Because He is an everlasting priest and has made the only true atonement for sin, He can save from all sin to the uttermost, in all places, at all times, and under all circumstances. The condition of salvation is coming to God by Him.

‘Intercession’ [Greek: entungchano] to light upon; fall in with; meet with; intercede with and for. Translated as “intercession” (7:25; Rom. 8:27, 34; 11:2) and “deal with” (Acts 25:24). Seven purposes of intercession: To come to or meet a person for any cause whatever (7:25; Rom. 8:27, 34). To plead the cause of others as in a civil court (Isa. 59:9-18; 1Tim. 2:1). To pray for others (Isa. 53:12; Luke 22:44; Rom. 8:26-27, 8:34; Heb. 7:25). To defend or vindicate a person or thing (Jer. 7:16; 27:18; 36:25). To commend others to a person (Rom. 8:26-27). To furnish any kind of assistance or help (Rom. 8:26-27). To accuse or act against a person in a judicial way (Rom. 11:2; Acts 25:24).

Jesus Made a Surety

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Hebrews 7:20-22 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:  (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord swore and will not repent, Thou are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 

‘The Lord swore and will not repent, Thou are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.’ The 18th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (7:21; Ps. 110:4). Paul’s argument here is that God has never failed to fulfil His oaths. Since He did not establish the Levitical priesthood or the law of Moses by an oath, He was free to change or abolish them at His pleasure.

Fourteen oaths of God in Scripture: To Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:18-21; 22:16-18; Luke 1:72-74; Heb. 6:13-14). Confirmed in Isaac (Gen. 26:3; Ps. 105:9-11; Jer. 11:5). Confirmed in Jacob (Gen. 28:13-15; Ps. 105:9-11). Confirmed in Israel (Deut. 29:1-15). To rebellious Israel (Deut. 1:34-35; Heb. 3:11, 18; 4:3; Ps. 95:11). To rebellious Moses (Deut. 4:21). To David (2Sam. 7:1-29; Ps. 89:4, 89:35; 132:11; Acts 2:30-32). To Israel to destroy the Antichrist (Isa. 14:24-27; Rev. 19:11-21). To all creatures that they must bow to God (Isa. 45:23; Php. 2:9-11). Of the destruction of the temple (Jer 22:5). Of the perpetual desolation of Bozrah (Jer. 49:13). Of the eternal destruction of Babylon (Jer. 51:14; Isaiah 13-14). Of Messiah and His everlasting priesthood (Ps. 110:4; Heb. 7:21, 28). Of the new covenant to take the place of the law (Isa. 49:8; 59:21; 61:8; Jer. 32:40; Rom. 11:27; Heb. 8:6-13; 10:16).

‘Surety’ [Greek: enguos] giving surety or bail. Christ became the guarantee that the benefits of the new covenant would be given to all men who meet the terms. In this sense, He is the mediator (8:6; 9:15).

‘Better testament’ – The new covenant is a better one as compared with the old covenant or the law of Moses (2Cor. 3:6).

The Law Made Nothing Perfect

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Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

‘Bringing in’ [Greek: epeisagoge] superintroduction. This refers to the introduction of the gospel or the new covenant to take the place of the old covenant.

‘Better hope’ – Christ is better than Aaron: Makes perfect (7:11, 19; 10:14). Of a higher order (6:20; 7:1-21). Priest after a higher law (7:16). An eternal Priest (7:16-17, 21). A priest of an all-powerful and more profitable covenant (7:18). Priest of a better hope (7:19). Priest of a better way of approaching God (7:19; 10:19-23). Priest by God’s oath (7:21; Ps. 110:4). Priest of a better covenant based upon better promises (7:22; 8:6). Unchangeable (7:23-25, 28; 10:12-14). Able to save (7:25; 10:1-18). An eternal intercessor (7:25). Holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners (7:26-27). Exalted to heaven (7:26; 1:3; 8:1; 12:1-2). No daily sacrifices (7:27; 10:10-14). An all-sufficient sacrifice (7:27; 10:10-14). Not infirm (7:28; Matt. 8:17). Consecrated forever (7:28). The Minister of the true and the heavenly temple (8:1-2; 9:11). Minister realities (8:4-5; 10:1-4). A more excellent ministry (8:6). The Mediator of a better covenant based upon better promises (8:6).

‘By the which we draw nigh unto God.’ By the atonement and the new covenant, we have a personal approach to God which no man had by the law program (7:19; 10:19-23).

After the Power of an Endless Life

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Hebrews 7:15-18 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there arose another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testified, Thou are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 

‘And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there arose another priest.’ It is more abundantly manifest [Greek: katadelos] very plain; that God designed the Levitical priesthood to be changed, because of the oath in Psalms 110:1-7 which declares the Messiah should be a priest after the order of Melchizedek who was not only a priest but also a prophet and a king (7:1-10). None of the Levitical priests exercised a double or a triple office, as was manifest in Jesus Christ.

‘Carnal’ [Greek: sarkines] fleshly; natural; human (7:16; Rom. 7:14; 15:27; 1Cor. 3:1-4; 9:11; 2Cor. 10:4). Here it means the full depravity of fallen man, sold as a slave and under the control of animal appetites and the forces of evil spirits. The word carnal does not always mean sinful or corrupt, but sometimes feeble, frail, or human. The idea here is that Christ was not appointed a priest after the order of Aaron wherein weak and perishing men must succeed each other, but He was made a High Priest after another order – after the power of immortality or endless life (7:16-17).

‘Thou are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.’ This is the 17th Old Testament prophecy in Hebrews (7:17; Ps. 110:4).

‘Disannulling’ [Greek: athetesis] abolition, rejection. Translated as “disannulling” (7:18) and “put away” (9:26). What was disannulled? Not only the commandment of Hebrews 7:16-18 concerning the priesthood but all the law, including the Ten Commandments. That the commandment here refers to the law is made clear in Hebrews 7:19.

Fifteen things the Law was unprofitable in Redemption from sin (9:15; 10:1-18). Making perfect (7:19; 10:1). Giving eternal inheritance (Rom. 4:13). Freeing from sin and death (Rom. 8:2-3). Imparting faith (Gal. 3:12). Giving life (2Cor. 3:7; Gal. 3:21). Purging the conscience (9:9; 10:1-4). Working miracles (7:18; Rom. 8:3). Giving access to God (9:7-8; 10:19-23). Giving mercy (10:28). Justification (Gal. 2:16; Rom. 4:1-25). Imparting righteousness (Rom. 3:21-25). Imparting the Spirit (Gal. 3:1-5, 14). Providing realities (Col. 2:14-17; 8:5; 10:1). Sanctification (10:9-14).

The Priesthood Being Changed

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Hebrews 7:12-14 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertained to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 

‘For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.’ Change in Priesthood and Law: The priestly order of Aaron was now being abolished to make way for the original priesthood that preceded it – the order of Melchizedek. This made it necessary to change the law also and abolish all its sacrificial offerings which could not bring perfection, reconcile men to God, make them holy or take away sins (7:12; 10:5-10). God planned to change the law and its priesthood to introduce Jesus Christ as the only Priest and Sacrifice and substitute the gospel system for the Levitical institutions.

‘For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.’ The Messiah, of whom these things were predicted, did not come from the tribe of Levi and had no Levitical genealogy to prove His claim to the priesthood.

‘Evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda.’ Paul speaks with all confidence that Christ came from Judah, according to the official Jewish genealogies. The genealogies of both Matthew and Luke establish this fact. There were no difficulties in them in that day or the enemies of the gospel would have used them as proof against Christ being the Messiah.

‘Sprang out’ [Greek: anatello] had risen. Generally used of the sun rising (Matt. 4:16; 5:45; 13:6; Mark 4:6; 16:2; Jas. 1:11; 2Pet. 1:19; cp. Luke 12:54). Here, Christ is risen out of Judah as the sun in all its strength to bring light to Israel and knowledge to His people (Isa. 9:1-2; 11:1; Matt. 4:16; Luke 1:77-79).

Another Priest Should Rise

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Hebrews 7:11 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? 

‘Perfection’ [Greek: teleiosis] completing or finishing anything, to leave nothing imperfect or wanting. Translated “perfection” and “performance” (Luke 1:45). Here it means that the Levitical priesthood was faulty. The Levitical system was merely a shadow, not the substance and reality of the eternal priesthood of Christ. It represented a perfect system but was imperfect itself. It pointed to a perfect sacrifice that would take away sin but was helpless to cleanse from sin. Fifteen things that the Law could not do: Justify (Acts 13:38-39; Gal. 2:16). Free from sin and death (Rom. 8:2). Free from condemnation (Rom. 8:1-4). Redeem (Rom. 3:24-31; Gal. 3:13-14). Give inheritance (Rom. 4:13-14). Bring righteousness (Rom. 8:4). Impart the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:2). Perform miracles (Gal. 3:5). Free individual from the curse (Gal. 3:10-14). Impart faith (Gal. 3:12). Impart grace (Gal. 5:4). Make perfect (Heb. 7:19). Control sin in man (Rom. 7:7-23; 8:2). Keep man from sin (Rom. 7:7-23; 8:7). Enable a man to obey (Heb. 7:18).

‘Under it the people received the law.’ Not under it, but on account of it, for the law was given before this priesthood was established (Ex. 40:12-14).

‘What further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?’ The eternal priesthood typified by Melchizedek was the original priesthood. It existed over 400 years before the Levitical order. Over 600 years after the Levitical priesthood David by the Holy Spirit predicted that another priest – a perfect one – would arise after the order of Melchizedek. The law, therefore, did not contain the original priesthood, which existed typically in Melchizedek and became reality in Jesus Christ.

The Better – Part 2

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Hebrews 7:7-10 And without all contradiction, the less is blessed of the better…

We need to understand the union of the two natures of Jesus Christ. He constantly spoke of Himself as a single person and not as two persons in one. There is no interchange of speech between the two natures as between two persons. The attributes and powers of both natures are ascribed to one person so that they are operated as part of a single individual. There is no double personality, but one single unit of characteristics of both the human and the divine. Just as any father and mother impart certain traits to the offspring, making a single person with characteristics of both parents, so the human and the divine were united in the one person of Jesus Christ – with one body, soul, and spirit and with one consciousness and one will.

The Fatherhood of God and the motherhood of Mary produced a single personality. After all, it must be remembered that God made man with the same body parts as He has in His Spirit-body, only our bodies are earthly and human and His is spiritual and divine. He made man with the same kind of soul with feelings, emotions, passions, desires, and appetites, capable of the same soul-acts as He was; only our soul is finite and His is infinite. He made man with a spirit with all the attributes and powers that He has, capable of the same acts; only our spirits are finite and His is infinite. In other words, man is endowed with the same traits, characteristics, attributes, powers, feelings, and passions as God, only on a finite scale.

With this in mind, one can see that the soul and spirit faculties that were born in Jesus Christ by a divine Father and a human mother were the same as in any other being like God; so when Christ acted and used any one attribute or power as a man it was like the exercise of God in the same aspects, only His faculties were perfectly untainted with the Fall and its effects. When Christ acted, He was like man before the Fall and not like sinful man since the Fall. Every fallen man when he is recreated in Christ and made a new creature is capable of proper exercise of his faculties in holy and lawful uses.

The Better – Part 1

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Hebrews 7:7-10 And without all contradiction, the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die received tithes; but there he received them, of whom it is witnessed that he lived. And as I may so say, Levi also, who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 

‘The better’ – Christ is better than Abraham: Christ is a member of the Godhead that made the covenant with Abraham and gave him promises (6:13-15; 1Jn. 5:7). Christ is the hope of Abraham (6:16-20; Col. 1:27). Christ is eternal (1:8; 6:20; John 8:58; Rev. 1:8-11). Christ is the Saviour and Blesser of Abraham (6:20; 7:7; Gal. 3:13-18, 26-29). Christ is Abraham’s eternal High Priest of which Melchizedek was only a type (6:20; 7:3, 7-10, 14-21). Abraham paid tithes to Christ’s eternal priesthood (7:2, 4-10). Christ is only begotten Son of Abraham’s God (7:3; John 1:14, 18; 3:16)

‘And here men that die receive tithes; but there he received them.’ If men who die receive tithes, how much more should they who live receive them? That is, if temporary priests have received them, how much more should the eternal priests [future calling for Christians – see Revelations 1:6 – no priests were assigned for the New Testament period before the rapture except Jesus Christ] receive them?

‘Of whom it is witnessed that he lived.’ As there is no record of his death or the end of his priesthood, Melchizedek is an illustration of the perpetuity of life, a type of Christ who is eternal (1:8; Isa. 9:6; Mic. 5:2; Rev. 1:8-11).

‘Levi also, who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham.’ Those who receive tithes also pay them on their own income. In this, Abraham was the representative tithe payer for all his seed to come (7:9-10).

‘In the loins of his father.’ In the loins of his ancestral father.

To be continued…

Tenth of the Spoils – Part 3

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Hebrews 7:4-6 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 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: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 

‘Though they come out of the loins of Abraham.’ This proves that even children of Abraham were supposed to pay tithes. If they were obligated to pay tithes, so were the Gentiles, including Christians.

‘From them’ – He reckoned no genealogy from them, from the genealogies of the priests (7:5). This was considered essential for a priest by the Jews. On the other hand, since they recognized Melchizedek as a true priest of God and greater than Abraham, they had to recognize that genealogy was not the essential thing for a priest and that on these grounds Jesus Christ could be a priest after the order of Melchizedek to fulfil Psalms 110:1-7.

‘Received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.’ This proves that the Melchizedek priesthood had a commandment to take tithes of Abraham, as the Levites were commanded to take tithes of all Israel (7:5-6). If Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, his natural and spiritual seed should continue to pay tithes to this priesthood since it now replaced the Aaronic priesthood (7:9-21). Is the first priest of this order the only one to receive tithes? Should God require tithing under this priesthood at first and then discontinue it when Christ became a priest after this order? Does grace lessen the obligation of man or increase it? Has this priesthood come to a self-supporting place, where it needs nothing from those under its benefits? Was it right that Abraham paid tithes to this priesthood and for Melchizedek to receive them for his support? If it was right then, could it be wrong now to continue this same program? Should a mere typical priesthood be supported and not the eternal priesthood itself?

Tenth of the Spoils – Part 2

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Hebrews 7:4-6 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 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: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 

‘Tenth of the spoils’ –  The doctrine of tithing is clear in Scripture (continues): [2] Paul taught it: (1) Condemned sacrilege (Rom. 2:22), or robbing temples (Mal. 3:8-10) and using holy things (Lev. 27:1-34). (2) Teachers to be paid (Gal. 6:6). (3) God ordained the support of ministers to spread the gospel (1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 6:17-18). (4) Christians to give as God prospers them (1Cor. 16:2). (5) Melchisedec priesthood is eternal and must be supported by the children of Abraham (Heb. 6:20; 7:1-11, 17, 21). (6) Children of Abraham in faith must walk in his steps (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 7:1-28). (7) Tithing is proof of obedience and appreciation of God’s blessings (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 7:6-10; 1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 6:17-18; cp. Mal. 3:8-10; Pro. 3:9-10; Gen. 14:20; Deut. 8:10-20).

Blessings of tithing: Blessings for obedience. God’s house will not lack (Mal. 3:10). God’s ministers will not lack (1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Neh. 13:10; Mal. 3:8-10). Material and spiritual blessings (Mal. 3:8-10; Pro. 3:9-10; 2Chron. 31:1-21; Neh. 13:1-31).

Examples of paying tithes: Abraham (Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:1-11); Jacob (Gen. 28:22); Levi in Abraham (Heb. 7:9); Hezekiah and Israel (2Chron. 31:1-21); Nehemiah and Israel (Neh. 13:1-31); Hypocrites (Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12); Christians (1Cor. 9:7-14; 16:2; 2Cor. 7:11; 8:1-15; Gal. 6:6; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Heb. 7:1-28).

No scripture even mentions a substitute program for tithing in the New Testament.

To be continued…