Melchizedek offered bread and wine to the victor – Abraham (This detail the writer of Hebrews did not mention despite its potential typological value). Fresh from the scene of victory and laden with all the battle spoils, Abraham is met by the King of Salem (Jerusalem) Melchizedek. In the Genesis account, the incident relates to Abraham when he returned victorious from a military encounter with the Canaanite kings. Psa 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Gen 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. Gen 14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. Gen 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale. The writer of Hebrews got this concept from 2 passages of the Old Testament: Let us examine how the concept – the order of Melchizedek develops: He does this to present the Hebrew Christians with the clear understanding of the SUPERIORITY of the priesthood of Christ in contrast to that of the Levitical priesthood of Aaron. Heb 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.Īnd now finally after a three fold introduction of Melchizedek, the writer devotes the whole of chapter 7 to deal in detail as a reminder to the early Hebrew Christians that now Christ has become THE High Priest FOREVER after the order of Melchizedek. Heb 5:10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.Ĭhapter 6 ends with this profound statement that Christ had been made FOREVER after the order of Melchisedek. Heb 5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 5:1-10 commences with Christ as being designated by God to be a priest after the order of Melchizedek. This type of typology was familiar to the early believers – most of who were converted from Judaism. The writer of Hebrews used Melchizedek as a type of Christ. Our difficulty arises because of the character of Melchizedek.Ībraham and Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Elijah are well known figures in the Old Testament, but so little is known to us of Melchizedek. Its imagery and its format of argument seems strange making it difficult for us to understand. THE PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEKĬhapter 7 of the letter to the Hebrews is a passage of the utmost importance.
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