A PriestKing Looking to Jesus Hebrews 5 7

“A Priest-King Looking to Jesus” Hebrews 5 -7

Melchizedek Genesis 14 Psalm 110 Hebrews 5 -7 Melchizedek, Statue located in Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome

MELCHIZEDEC n. An Amazingly Important “Walk-on” part in Israelite History. n. Appears at the very beginning and then disappears.

To the vast majority of Christian & Hebrew scholars, Melchizedek "unsolved" mystery. n An angel. ¨ In Dead Sea Scrolls, appears as a celestial high priest & warrior identical to Michael (the arch angel)

To the vast majority of Christian & Hebrew scholars, Melchizedek "unsolved" mystery. An angel. n The son of Shem (the son of Noah). n

To the vast majority of Christian & Hebrew scholars, Melchizedek "unsolved" mystery. An angel. n The son of Shem (the son of Noah). n Pre-incarnate Christ n ¨ Taking the identification of Melchizedek with Christ in the book of Hebrews literally.

To the vast majority of Christian & Hebrew scholars, Melchizedek "unsolved" mystery. An angel. n The son of Shem (who was the son of Noah). n The pre-incarnate Christ n An illusion (vision or dream) given to Abraham. n

To the vast majority of Christian & Hebrew scholars, Melchizedek "unsolved" mystery. An angel. n The son of Shem (the son of Noah). n The pre-incarnate Christ. n An illusion (vision or dream) given to Abraham. n A good tribal king and patriarchal priest in Abraham’s day. n Most conservatives ¨ Abraham paid literal tithes to him as an offering to Jehovah. ¨

CANNOT BE IGNORED! n Some of the most significant authors of Scripture (including Moses, David, and Paul) emphasize Melchizedek’s importance and inseparable link to the priesthood and kingship of Messiah.

Genesis 14: 18 -20 n n n Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand. " And he gave him a tithe of all. 18

SALEM n. Traditionally identified with Jerusalem. ¨ Josephus [Antiq. l. x. 2] and through his influence, medieval historians and theological writers. n “God’s abode has been established in Salem, His dwelling place in Zion. ” (PSALM 76: 2) ¨ Melchizedek it’s early king (Gen. 14: 18)

Salem – poetic and religious appellation meaning “peace” n The pre-Israelite [pagan] origin is uncertain n Early writers supposed that Jerusalem obtained its name from the Jebusite inhabitants around the city. n Canaanite city of Salem (thus “Jebus-Salem” became “Jerusalem”)

How does Melchizedek fit? n Genesis chapter 14 begins by detailing how the five cities of the plains (including Sodom and Gomorrah) rebelled against Chedorlaomer, the king of Elam, and his three allies. n We are not given the prior history except that these five cities served Elam and paid tribute.

¨ For 12 years these five cities paid dues. In the 13 th year, they rebelled. ¨ Since the five cities would not pay, Elam conquered Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela. They took possessions, and carried away many captive, among them LOT.

Amazingly, Abraham is forced to aid the Sodomites to regain Lot! n Genesis 14: 14 Abram pursued them to Dan and on to Hobah (north of Damascus) with three hundred and eighteen trained servants.

Some think this story told to implant Jerusalem in Israel’s history from the beginning! n He was “without father, mother, genealogy, beginning of days or end of life. ” n And Melchizedec brought out bread and wine (perhaps forecasting Lord’s Supper). n

Abraham – Melchizedek by Peter Paul Rubins

Jesus: Our Priest (High Priest) n Hebrews 7. n Priest’s Function: ¨ Keep the Law before the people ¨ Offer sacrifices for the people ¨ Intercede for the people

Psalm 110 • The most frequently cited Psalm in N. T. • It is cited by Christ in Matthew 22: 43 -45 • • • to demonstrate his superiority over David (king) It is cited by Peter, to demonstrate the reality of what had happened at Pentecost (Acts 2: 34 -35) It is cited by the writer to the Hebrews, to: Demonstrate the superiority of Christ over angels (Heb. 1: 13), • Show that he was set apart as a priest by God himself (Heb. 5: 6) • Show the superiority of his priesthood (Heb. 7: 17). •

Names Provide Some Clarification n Melchizedek (melchi = my king; zedek = righteousness) King of Salem (Salem = peace) Literally translated, Melchizedek, king of Salem (Genesis 14: 18), means My King of Righteousness, King of Peace. n See Rom 5: 21; Isa. 9: 6

n The best biblical explanation of this scripture is found in Hebrews 7. ¨ The entire chapter is a description of Jesus as our high priest.

n Of course, the great theme of the Old Testament points to the coming of Christ. n Abraham is a great example of justification by faith that is offered to us through Christ. n Therefore, it is only fitting that Abraham should be blessed by Melchizedek (who exemplifies Christ) just as Christ blesses us when our faith is like that of Abraham.

Hebrews 7: 1 -8 n Hebrews 7: 1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated "king of righteousness, " and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace, " 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils… 6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.

Hebrews 7: 14 -24 n 14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek…” n 22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. 23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

Reims Cathedral; Reims, France

So what does it all mean? n Peace and righteousness united in and through Christ. ¨ Jesus Christ is called the Prince of Peace and the ruler of righteousness. ¨ In Him, both peace and righteousness reign. ¨ Where there is no righteousness, there cannot be peace with God.

His Offices • This enigmatic figure holds two distinct offices. • First, he is 'king of Salem'. • Second, and more intriguing, Melchizedek is 'priest of God most high'.

• Two immediate implications of this: • First there was knowledge of God outside the family of Abraham. • The fact that Abram uses the same designation of God in 14: 22 shows that his God and the God of Melchizedek are one and the same.

• Two immediate implications of this: • Second implication is the reality of combining more than one official function in one person. Melchizedek is both king and priest: he governs and he mediates. • This phenomenon is really only reserved for Christ & Melchizedec. •

His Recognition that both Abraham and God should be blessed! “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of Heaven and Earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand (14: 19 -20). ” • God is given a superlative name (El Elyon - “God Most High”)

Maerten van Heemsckerck

What we Learn… (1) • First, the sudden appearance of Melchizedek teaches us that it was always God's intention that the established Old Testament way of life be temporary, and give way to an ultimate and better arrangement.

• So Hebrews 7: 12 -16: • for when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. . . this becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.

What we Learn… (2) • Secondly, the appearance of Melchizedek points to the unparalleled, unique nature of the role of Christ in God’s future plan.

Zechariah 6: 12 -13 n “Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying, ‘Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, and He shall build the temple of the Lord; Yes, He shall build the temple of the Lord. He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. ’”

What we Learn… (3) • Thirdly, we learn from Melchizedek the great truth about the eternal nature of Christ's priesthood.

Hebrews 7: 23 -25 • “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. ”

The End