(Hebrews 7:1-2) “For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace.”
Salem was the former name of Jerusalem. The name means peace, or the foundation of peace. A place given divine stability.
Melchisedec was both King of Salem and high priest of God. He did not receive the office of high priest by the appointment of man, as those that came later did, but his appointment was from God. Chosen to know and do the will of God, just as the righteous are called today.
(Verse 3) “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.”
No earthly record was kept of this Melchisedec. No age, no family members according to the flesh. His whole purpose was to do the work of God continually. It would be wrong to think that “neither beginning of days, nor end of life” spoke of the flesh. He was like unto the son of God in that the spirit of Melchisedec came from God, (no beginning of days) and returned to God (no end of life).
Even the flesh of Jesus was born of woman. Though his body of flesh never sinned against God, it had a beginning, and he gave it on the cross in death. But the son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ had neither beginning of days (he was with God before he came to earth), and no end of life, (he reigns supreme forever more).
Abraham means, “the father of many nations.” He was given the promise of God that of his seed a people would spring forth without number. A nation so great that it could no more be numbered than the stars of heaven. This promise was given to Abraham in his old age. His wife Sarah was also far past childbearing. Even so, Abraham believed God. In the New Testament he is called the friend of God. Melchisedec met this friend of God and blessed him.
(Verse 4) “Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.”
Melchisedec was a great man because he was appointed by his heavenly Father to the office of high priest and king. Ruler in the things of God and also ruler over the city of Salem. Abraham recognized this high priest as a chosen man of God and gave a tenth of the spoils of battle. Abraham understood that victory was accomplished only because it pleased God to grant it. This tenth that Melchisedec received was used only for good works toward God’s people.
(Verse 5) “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.”
From the days of Melchisedec, who had no beginning of days, a long line of successors were appointed by man to carry on the office of the priesthood until the coming of Jesus, who has no end of days. This link from Melchisedec to Jesus Christ was filled with the sons (or direct descendants) of Levi. Though they were taken from the seed of Abraham (who paid tithes) they were commanded to take tithes of the people according to the law. It is important to notice, according to the law. These priests were overseers of the law as found in the Old Testament.
(Verses 6-7) “But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.”
The flesh is blessed of the Spirit. The earthly is blessed of the heavenly. The carnal is blessed of the spiritual. Melchisedec did not descend from Levi; his office was not handed down from another priest (no beginning of days); he was called of God.
(Verse 8). “And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.”
Here in this day, according to the law, the Levitical priesthood received tithes of the people. These priests began their days of service at age thirty and ended at age fifty. Because death eventually overtook them it was necessary to train and appoint others to follow them. But before Moses received the law of God, Abraham paid tithes to one called after the spirit.
(Verses 9-10) “And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.”
Before Levi and his descendants began, while Levi was still in the loins of his father Abraham, he paid tithes by the hand of his father. This being counted to the Levitical priesthood that they also recognized the one without beginning of days nor ending of days. One like unto the Son of God.
(Verse 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?”
Notice again, under the Levitical priesthood (after the flesh) the people received the law. Part of that law being the paying of tithes, as stated in verse five of this chapter. If the keeping of this law had brought forth perfection in God’s people, the prophets would not have foretold of another to come, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. Things would have continued as they were if this had been the complete plan of God.
(Verse 12) “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”
The priesthood began with one called of God, Melchisedec, and was given to Jesus after a number of years. The sons of Levi carrying out the duties of the office until another without beginning of days nor ending of days should come. The office of high priest is with Jesus forevermore. Then, if the priesthood is changed from earthly to heavenly, it is necessary also that the law be changed from natural to spiritual. As Paul said in Romans 7:14, “For we know that the law is spiritual.“
(Verses 13-14) “For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.”
Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, not from Levi; therefore, his appointment was not according to the lineage of men. No man of the tribe of Judah “gave attendance” or held the office of high priest. It was necessary then that Jesus be called of God, after the order of Melchisedec.
(Verses 15-17) “And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
“It is yet far more evident”, by the scripture, that the prophets told of the coming of another after the order of Melchisedec. One who would not be made after the law of a carnal commandment. Remember, Paul said, “I am carnal, sold under sin.” Jesus was not carnal; he came forth from the presence of God.
(Verses 18-19) “For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”
Jesus, having fulfilled the law and the prophets by receiving the office of high priest as the men of God said he would, set his people free from the law of carnal (earthly) ordinances. The law was weak, in that one could keep the carnal ordinance and still have an unclean heart. Therefore, without a clean spirit, there was nothing profited by doing the duties of the law. But the new hope in Jesus reconciled both, a clean spirit doing good works according to the New Testament.
(Verses 20-21) “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 sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:).” “The Lord sware” these things would be. When did he swear this? In the holy scripture. Read Psalm 110:4.
(Verse 22) “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.” The writer of the book of Hebrews used only the holy scriptures (which cannot fail) to show that so many things pointed to the coming of Jesus. The same scriptures that some knew by heart yet did not see the spiritual revelation of the coming of Jesus. Many were offended by hearing that the law should be annulled and that they should follow another.
False religion is the same today. Many are offended to hear that they must turn loose of carnal understanding of the scripture and receive the spiritual. That the scripture points to the coming (revelation) of Jesus, according to the spirit.
(Verses 23-24) “And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.”
No matter how good or how well loved a priest might have been, under the Levitical priesthood, he was not allowed to continue because death finally claimed him. But our Lord Jesus changed the priesthood from earthly to heavenly. The law also being changed from carnal to spiritual.
(Verses 25-26) “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.”
Jesus alone is able to save all people because he was without beginning of days or ending of days. Before Abraham, Jesus was. A great eternal high priest that came to earth in a body of flesh and partook of the same temptations and sufferings as the rest of humanity. He remained without sin and became our perfect example. He was made higher than the heavens; no other name under heaven surpasses him.
(Verses 27-28) “Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.”
The priests that served under the law made many animal sacrifices daily for the sins of the people. Once a year, the high priest alone entered behind the veil of the temple into the innermost sanctuary to make offerings for himself and the whole congregation. But remember, when Jesus was given in death as our perfect sacrifice, the earth trembled and the veil of the temple was torn in half from top to bottom. Jesus, having entered in one time, forevermore, there is no more need for earthly priests to offer sacrifices. But the word says you are kings and priests if so be that you are born of his word.
Some today want to hold to certain commandments of the law and ignore others. Asking for a tenth (money only) to be given by the congregation as a tithe to God. The commandment of tithes was one tenth of all, fruits of the land, animals, and all such gain. But here again, because the law was made for carnal man and not perfect, some found ways to circumvent the commandments and then justify their deeds in their own eyes. Many in religion today do the same.
What is the offering that is acceptable to God today? “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Yes, we will also give money to those in need if we are able. But I do not need a middleman to decide where it goes. Jesus said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40) If we help another person from our heart, in secret, we have paid tithes to God.
If we reap the fruits of God’s word, then let us give to those in need; this tithe is pleasing to God. If a brother or sister is destitute and in need, take them in and take care of them. Help those that ask, as we are able, and you have paid tithe unto God.
Love your enemies; treat them good; do not seek revenge. This sacrifice is acceptable unto God. Stand on the truth even when the world hates you for it. Preach the gospel at every opportunity. God receives this offering as a show of love and respect toward his word.
Religious denominations that preach the paying of tithes today, do so for two reasons. They do not hear what the scripture says, and they don’t want the money to stop. The money is used to do good works as many did under the law. But the works alone can come from an unclean heart. How can we know the things contained in the heart of man? Listen carefully to what he preaches. If his words do not agree completely with the scripture, let him be accursed. Does such a man have the authority to place himself in the office of priest? Taking part of the law and moving it forward to put in the doctrine of Jesus?
Just as many were in the days under the law, so it is today. They keep the works of the scripture from carnal understanding. Never hearing the many scriptures that tell us the word of God is spiritual. This is why the apostle Paul said, I have many things to say to you, but it’s hard to know how to say them, seeing that you are dull of hearing.
