In this chapter the author shows that the priesthood of Christ is superior to the levitical priesthood because it is after the order of Melchizedek. He points out that Melchizedek is an Old Testament type of Christ. Only twice Melchizedek is mentioned in the Old Testament(Gen 14:18-20; Psalm 110:4). In chapter 7:1-3, we see the historical account of Melchizedek. His name means king of righteousness. He was the king of Jerusalem. So he was a king of righteousness and peace. He was also the priest of the most high God(Gen 14:18).He was without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days , nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God(7:3). There is not any record of his birth or death in the Scripture to show that he is a type of Christ.
The author establishes the superiority of Melchizedek over the levitical priesthood by the fact that Abraham, the ancestor of Levi paid tithe to him and was blessed by Melchizedek. When Abraham paid tithe to Melchizedek, Levi was in turn offering tithe to Melchizedek. Levi was the descended from Abraham. Levitical priests were temporary and mortal. Melchizedek was immortal. Without any dispute the less is blessed of the better(7: 7,8). Law could not give people complete removal of sin and reconciliation to God. Law and the levitical priesthood are closely connected. So it became necessary to give way to another priesthood after the order of Melchizedek to forgive sins and bring reconciliation to God.(Heb 7:11,12).
Christ is superior to Aaron because His priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek. Aaron was from the tribe of Levi but Christ came from Judah. Aaron's priesthood was by lineage and not confirmed by oath. It was changeable because of death. So Christ became High Priest, not by meeting the requirements of law but by the power of life that cannot be destroyed.(7:16). His priesthood is eternal because Christ lives for ever. The Mosaic law was temporary and made nothing perfect, including the levitical priesthood. Whereas Christ lives for ever to make intercession for us. He gives better hope.
Christ has become the surety of a better covenant. This new covenant is eternal and provides forgiveness of sin to all those who come to God through Christ (7:20-22). There were many high priests under the old covenant. But Christ stands alone and His priesthood will never end. Therefore His is able to save completely everyone who comes to God through Him(7:25). Also Christ is our perfect sacrifice and ideal High priest. Being perfect, He did not need to offer daily sacrifice for His sins(Lev 4:2,3). But Christ offered Himself for our sins once on the cross. For He is holy, blameless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than heavens. He is both our perfect sacrifice and our great High Priest. Those who trust Christ are complete in Him(Col 2:10). Do you know Him?
The author establishes the superiority of Melchizedek over the levitical priesthood by the fact that Abraham, the ancestor of Levi paid tithe to him and was blessed by Melchizedek. When Abraham paid tithe to Melchizedek, Levi was in turn offering tithe to Melchizedek. Levi was the descended from Abraham. Levitical priests were temporary and mortal. Melchizedek was immortal. Without any dispute the less is blessed of the better(7: 7,8). Law could not give people complete removal of sin and reconciliation to God. Law and the levitical priesthood are closely connected. So it became necessary to give way to another priesthood after the order of Melchizedek to forgive sins and bring reconciliation to God.(Heb 7:11,12).
Christ is superior to Aaron because His priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek. Aaron was from the tribe of Levi but Christ came from Judah. Aaron's priesthood was by lineage and not confirmed by oath. It was changeable because of death. So Christ became High Priest, not by meeting the requirements of law but by the power of life that cannot be destroyed.(7:16). His priesthood is eternal because Christ lives for ever. The Mosaic law was temporary and made nothing perfect, including the levitical priesthood. Whereas Christ lives for ever to make intercession for us. He gives better hope.
Christ has become the surety of a better covenant. This new covenant is eternal and provides forgiveness of sin to all those who come to God through Christ (7:20-22). There were many high priests under the old covenant. But Christ stands alone and His priesthood will never end. Therefore His is able to save completely everyone who comes to God through Him(7:25). Also Christ is our perfect sacrifice and ideal High priest. Being perfect, He did not need to offer daily sacrifice for His sins(Lev 4:2,3). But Christ offered Himself for our sins once on the cross. For He is holy, blameless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than heavens. He is both our perfect sacrifice and our great High Priest. Those who trust Christ are complete in Him(Col 2:10). Do you know Him?
