Hebrews Chapter 7 Verse 1

• Chapter 7 is an exciting explanation of the final sentence of Chapter 6. This Melchizedek is a very mysterious Biblical character and this chapter is really it in terms of details of him in the Bible. He’s only mentioned twice in the Old Testament. Once in Genesis and once in Psalm 110. And those two writings are 1,000 years apart!

• Now the idea that the writer is really driving home in this chapter is that there is a need for something other than the law. Something other than Judaism and works and religion. They’re just not good enough. They fall short of righteousness. They fall short of peace. The simple fact that God describes a priest according to the order of Melchizedek shows that there is something lacking in the priesthood according to the order of Aaron!

• If the Aaronic Priesthood was sufficient then it would have been the first and the last. The writer will prove now that it was not the first and more importantly, it’s not the last…there’s yet another (the priesthood of Jesus Christ the Savior) and the another…this one is good enough, doesn’t fall short of righteousness and doesn’t fall short of peace…in fact, it’s King!

Hebrews Chapter 7 Verse 2

• Now notice, essential doctrinal and yet also practical nugget here, “first righteousness, then peace.” See that? Don’t miss that. So very essential in not only life and life eternal but also in home life, work life, church life, Metlife…well not Metlife…Righteousness always comes before peace. Always.
• By the righteousness of Jesus, we have peace with God. No other way. No other name under heaven by which men must be saved. No other path. No other options. Peace with a righteous and holy God can only come through being righteous and holy because He ain’t changing! And yet there are none righteous among men, no not one (Romans 3)…only God Himself is good (Rich young ruler, Mark 10)…And therefore only through Jesus (the forerunner) are we made acceptable to God. Only through Jesus can we gain entrance into eternal life. Only through Jesus is there ever peace. (Absolute acceptance and welcome. Tolerance is not peace – and neither is compromise)
• Now, home life. Peace with him. Peace with her. Peace with me. Peace with you. Peace with them. Righteousness must come first. Choosing God’s way over my own. God’s Word over my emotions and needs. Righteousness. She doesn’t have to change, he doesn’t, they don’t…I do…you do…we must personally walk with the Lord and grow and in that, come what may, peace. And with peace comes power man, joy…energy…purpose and a very depth of satisfaction! And then you understand Paul’s heart as he wrote of God speaking to him, “My grace is sufficient for you.”
• That’s not just a fortune cookie…or some lofty statement of “suck it up, kid.” Through righteousness, through loving God, faith and patience, patient endurance, Paul found the depths of eternal weight and glory…and followed Jesus filled with joy and filled with strength! Righteousness always comes before peace.
• Back to the text…Salem is the ancient name of Jerusalem…and so this Melchizedek, King of Righteousness, King of Peace, King of Jerusalem…I’ve already developed this thought for you so I won’t do it again but just to remind you, I believe this Melchizedek is a Christophany, an Old Testament appearance of Jesus Christ…I’ll show you a few new things this morning…

Hebrews Chapter 7 Verse 3

• First, He’s called the King of Righteousness…but how is that? Romans 3:10 says that “none” are righteous…And this bit about Abraham meeting Him…remember when Jesus was talking to the Jewish rulers and they made fun of Him because He wasn’t even 50 years old? What did Jesus say? John 8:56, “Abraham saw My day and rejoiced!” Could this be it!? I definitely think so!
• And then this description in verse 3…ending in, “remains a priest continually…” So very mysterious and yet so very obvious…is Jesus dead? NO! And so He remains…

Hebrews Chapter 7 Verses 4 – 10

• This is fantastic! First, the point I most want to get to. The sons of Levi represent the Law. Of course they do because the sons of Levi are the Aaronic line. Originating from Aaron the high priest under Moses. And so this is all about the law and the law is the power of Judaism and really all religion. So, the writer is saying that according to the law, the Levites are commanded to receive tithes from the people. And yet, they come from the loins of Abraham…
• Here’s what’s cool. The Levitical priests, according to the law were to receive tithes from the people and yet here we see that the greater blesses the lesser. And so if Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek and Melchizedek blesses him then that is blasting a trumpet of truth for us (and for them) that the law is not superior! Why? Because basically the law, the sons of Levi, in the loins of Abraham, the Levitical priests are tithing to Melchizedek, who is greater!! (And if it’s not superior then the house of cards FALLS)

• Now why is that so impactfully awesome? Here’s why! The Law provides no cure. It provides expert diagnosis of our problem, which is absolutely essential…but it provides no cure and it provides no power…just a constant reminder of failure…It is the reward of sin. The law, is the strength, the power, the ying/yang to sin! That’s completely biblical! 1 Corinthians 15:56 says that, “The sting of death of sin, and the strength of sin is the law!”

• But that’s not even the cool part…God created us so perfectly well and so perfectly with Him and then He lost us….to what? Sin. And the strength of sin is what…the law…The law is a constant reminder…like a scarlet letter on humanity…yes it points us to the fact that we need a Savior but also constantly accusing God’s precious and beloved children…

• And so what did Jesus do? He made it pay! THE LAW TITHED TO MELCHY! Man God is the ultimate Hero! The ultimate Father! The law, brought about by sin and separation stands against His children? It will pay the price…and it did when He came and fulfilled it, de-powered it, 2,000 years ago! And this is shown here in this lesser being blessed by the greater. What is greater than the law, the standard of righteousness…love! Romans 13:10…”Love is the fulfillment of the law!”

• What is greater than the law, the picture of perfection? PERFECTION HIMSELF! And this awesome point, this eye opener for them and for us…Jesus, the Perfect, Jesus, Love revealed to creation in bodily form…the law paid UP and so He is greater, love is greater and righteousness is restored! Peace is restored! YES!
• And notice how it was accomplished? Abraham gave. Under the law the people paid the tithe. Realizing worship Abraham gave a tenth…gave the tithe! Don’t miss this point, I sure won’t! Giving out of love, gratitude and worship is so much superior to obligatory giving!
• Oh man I just want to keep going but we just don’t have time…but even to end there is spectacular…the fact that Abraham fought and struggled and wandered and roamed and then when he met this Melchizedek, the one who was other, the one who was superior, this type, picture or even the same person as Jesus Christ, He worshipped Him…he gave to him…and rather than struggle and worry and hardship and confusion, his life pattern, he received blessing.
• Have you yet been blessed by God? The ultimate blessing. His presence in your heart, mind, soul and strength!? To squash the law under your own feet. To have your own enemies, even the enemies in your heart and mind, have you had your own enemies become your footstools? Is this world filled with wonder and adventure, joy and power? Have you returned yet from all the fighting as Abraham did…and met the Lord? Man there is so much for you. So much for one who will give their lives to Him…