Hebrews 7:1-10 — Melchezzie Part 2
READ THIS: Hebrews 7:1-10
1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?
Melchizedek was mentioned at the end of the verses yesterday, and we did more of a deep dive into Melchizedek a few chapters ago. These verses today strengthen the comparison between Jesus and Melchizedek, noting that they both have the following characteristics:
- Righteousness and peace
- Priest forever
- Deserve a tithe (a tenth of what was earned)
- Greater than Abraham
- Not descended from Levi (the typical line where priests came from)
This last point might feel confusing in the verses because it starts talking about Levi being in the body of his ancestor Abraham. Basically, the Abraham and Melchizedek interaction happened before Levi was ever born, since Levi was one of Abraham's descendants. But, if Levi's ancestor gave a priestly tenth to Melchizedek, then, in a way, Levi gave the tenth since that is his family.
THINK ABOUT IT:
1. How is Jesus the true King of righteousness and peace?
2. So, what is the importance of Melchizedek?
TRY THIS:
We can have our own Melchizedeks around us today. (Aka, People who remind us deeply of Jesus). We can try two things with those people: 1) Notice their similarities to Jesus and use it as a model and 2) Notice their differences to Jesus and use it as a way to remember Jesus is the true King and Priest!
Think of one person who reminds you of Jesus and do step one and two today!
SONG OF THE WEEK:
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