A Greater Priesthood than Aaron’s
vs1-3 Perpetual King Priest (typified by Melchisedec)
v1. Priest of the most high God – universal in scope. Met and blessed Abraham – timely blessing (Heb 4:16)
v2. Righteousness – the basis of his ministry Peace – the affect of his ministry (Isa 32:17)
v3. Made like unto the Son of God (proof of eternal Sonship). No recorded parentage. No specified term for his life (neither beginning nor end). No specified term for his ministry (to perpetuity).
vs4-10 His superiority over Abraham and Levi
v4. His greatness is worthy of our consideration and study Abraham gave him a tenth of the spoils (from the top – the best) Abraham’s recognition of his superiority
v5. The law required the Levitical priests to take tithes of the people despite their common heritage in Abraham
vs6-7. Melchisedec received tithes from Abraham and also blessed him Abraham was exempt from legal and tribal obligations to tithe Voluntary tithing was a recognition of Melchisedec’s superiority Abraham had been blessed by God with the promises Abraham was blessed by Melchisedec The less if always blessed of the better
v8. Contrast the recipients of the tithes The Levitical priest all died Melchisedec lives and thus in type still receives tithes
vs9-10. Levi in effect also paid tithes to Melchisedec through Abraham.
vs11-22. A Superior Priesthood
v11. Why was a different order of priesthood required? The Levitical priesthood could not make perfect (Heb 10:1,2) The law was received through it The new priesthood must be of a different order and constitution
v12. A change in priesthood necessitates a change in the law
v13. Messiah had no legal association with the Levitical priesthood
v14. Our Lord sprang out of Judah. Kingly but not priestly promises
v15. Another kind of priest, like Melchisedec, in needed and is promised
v16. Another basis for priesthood Not regulated by ancestry Based upon the power of an indestructible life
v17. The significance of the declaration “priest for ever..”
v18. The setting aside of the former commandment as weak and useless
v19. The law was ineffective – “made nothing perfect.” A better hope is now introduced by which we draw nigh to God.
v20. An oath is associated with the Priesthood of Christ
v21. The Levitical priests were made priests without an oath Christ became a priest with an oath (The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind) (Psa 110.47)
v22. Jesus therefore is the Guarantor of a better covenant than the law of verse 11.
vs23-28. An Untransferable Priesthood
v23. The former priesthood and an abundance of priests, but none continued in office All were subject to death
v24. This priest, Christ, lives forever and has a permanent priesthood
v25. Therefore He is able to save to the uttermost (All that come, in every way, for all time) He will always live to intercede for them
v26. He exactly suits our need
Holy (hosios) personal holiness – Godward
Harmless (akakos) with guile, free from malice – manward
Undefiled (amisstos) free from any flaw that would impair his service – selfward
Separate from sinners – uniquely distinguished from sinners – removed from them.
Made higher than the heavens – a new sphere of service
v27. He is unlike the former high priests – They offered sacrifice day after say (continually) First for themselves than for the sins of the people He made one sacrifice for sins (for all time) He offered Himself v 28 The law appointed men as high priests who were weak The oath appointed the Son He has been made perfect for ever.
