Hebrews 7:11-22

The Four Proofs of Melchizedek’s Superiority from Heb. 7:6-10:

1) Abraham gave him tithes

2) Melchizedek accepted tithes indicating his superior position

3) Melchizedek’s priesthood was not replaced, but Levitical priesthood would die and constantly be replaced

4) Israel, Levi and the priests all paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham’s paying of the tithe

7:11

“perfection” is “teleiosis” and speaks of completeness. To be “teleiosis”, “perfect” or “complete” means it fulfilled the purpose that is was designed for. A priesthood’s purpose was to make men acceptable to God. The Levitical priesthood needed to be repeated each year, even each day. Thus, the Levitical priesthood failed to establish the relationship of man before God on a “complete” basis.

“If” is the first class condition which means “if, and it is true.” But, it is followed by a challenge, “Why was it replaced in Psalm 110:4?

The priesthood was established first and then the Law of Moses was given at Sinai.

Aaron was identified before the Law was given. The Law regulated the priesthood.

If the priesthood has changed, so has the Law that governs the priesthood.

Why did the Messiah not come through Levi? The Levitical priesthood was temporary and the Messiah was eternal. The Levitical priesthood was in place only until the true priesthood of the Messiah could come.

7:12

If the priesthood changes then the law changes. This is clear in verse 7:18.

7:13-14

Jesus was clearly from Judah:

1. Matthew 1
2. Luke 3
3. Birth narratives

The Messiah promised in the OT was clearly from Judah as well

In fact, Second Chronicles 26:16 records the account of a king from Judah entering the temple and being struck with leprosy because he acted like a priest.

If Christ is regarded as a priest, and the Messiah is in Psalm 110:4, then a change has occurred in the Law.

When someone places faith in Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, then according to the Old Testament itself, the Mosaic Law has been radically altered.

For the believing Jews who are reading this book there has been a exodus from the Law of Moses (either knowingly or unknowingly). But this identification of the Messiah as a priest that replaces the Levitical priesthood is documented in the same sacred text as the Law of Moses. (Ps. 110:4)

POINTS:

1) Christ’s priesthood was planned to succeed Aaron’s

2) Christ’s priesthood is superior since it is not dependent on physical heritage

3) Christ’s priesthood is superior because of His life

7:15

“And what we have said is even more clear” is “perissoteron eti katadelon”

perissoteron eti katadelon

more abundantly still quite clear

“what we have said” refers to:

a) it impossible for perfection to come through Levitical Priesthood (7:11)

b) the priesthood must be changed (7:11)

c) the law must be changed (7:12)

d) Jesus was from Judah (7:13-14)

e) Messiah would be a priest like Melchizedek, not Aaron. (Ps. 110:4)

Then while we were waiting for all of these things just mentioned someone like Melchizedek arrives. A DIFFERENT priest. The word “different” is the Greek word “heteros” which means “a different of another kind”. It is not the word “allos” which means “another of the same kind.” Classic example of these words used together is in Galatians 1:6

7:16-17

Heteros in this way:

Levitical priests were priests because of “sarka” or “flesh”.

Jesus is a priest because of “the power of an indestructible life” (akatalutou zoe)

Levitical priesthood is “fleshly”:

a) temporary

b) type or shadow of the coming reality

c) physical ancestry

d) marriage

e) health

f) diet

g) ceremonial performance

h) no one asked about the spiritual condition (Eli’s sons, Annas, Caiaphas, Ananias, etc.)

Jesus is eternal and the reality

a. Colossians 2:6-23

b. Like Melchizedek

c. Romans 8:3

d. Galatians 4:9

7:18-19

These verses restate 12-16

7:20-22

The Levitical priesthood was given, but with no oath or eternal promise.

Messiah’s priesthood was given with an oath and forever.