Thursday, July 31 – Hebrews 5, 6

1. Recognizing the authority of high priest Aaron, the author presents Christ as being superior to him. What sets this apart? (Hebrews 5:1-4)4)

2. Although Christ was perfect, what did He need to learn through suffering? (Hebrews 5:7-9)

3. The priests in Israel were ordained according to the order of Aaron. According to what order was Jesus? (Hebrews 5:10)

4. How deep does our hope reach as a secure and steady anchor of the soul? (Hebrews 6:18-20)

If the letter to the Hebrews had not existed, the collection of doctrines and truths in the New Testament would be incomplete. This document helps us gain a deeper understanding of Christ’s work in the heavenly sanctuary. Without this book, it would be impossible to fully understand the book of Revelation and, as a result, the book of Daniel.

Much has been speculated about who the author of this important letter might be. Some have suggested it was Barnabas, Luke, Apollos, or Clement. Others doubt it was Paul because of his change in literary style, although his closing is very similar to the one he used in other letters he wrote. Personally, I believe the Apostle Paul wrote it. I think he deliberately concealed his identity to avoid the prejudice that the Hebrews (Jews) held against him. In this letter, his style was more straightforward because his recipients were assumed to be more familiar with the subject.

It is essential to me that Ellen G. White believed the author was Paul; I think that prophetic inspiration has lessons for us in this as well.

Christ was not ordained as a priest according to the order of Aaron but instead according to the order of Melchizedek because Aaron was from the tribe of Levi, as all priests were required to be. On the other hand, Melchizedek was “priest of God Most High and king of Salem” (Genesis 14:18). In Israel, no one could be a priest and king at the same time since priests, as we already said, were from the tribe of Levi, while the kings were from the tribe of Judah.

That is why Jesus is superior to Aaron, because He holds both positions before the Father: Priest and King. Many believe that Melchizedek was the same as Christ, who appeared to Abraham and to whom Abraham gave tithes. However, this is not the case. The Bible does not say they were the same person. It states that Christ was a priest “according to the order of” Melchizedek, which means “in the manner of.” It is not possible for someone to be “in the manner of himself.”

Many people get confused by the text that says Melchizedek was “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” (Hebrews 7:3, NKJV).
I don’t want to get into that part, which relates to the next study. I just want to clarify that it doesn’t mean Melchizedek literally had no parents or genealogy; it means that his lineage wasn’t known or recorded in history. Notice that it says he was “made like the Son of God.” How so? As has already been explained: in that he was both Priest and King, just as Christ is.

Certainly, we will learn more about this tomorrow. I’ll just mention that recently archaeological remains have been discovered in the City of David, south of Jerusalem, which seem to be part of an ancient sacrificial altar. It is believed that it may have been part of a very old temple where Melchizedek may have officiated. How interesting!

In chapter 6, references are made to doctrines and beliefs held by the Jews, but these were dead works because they were simply hollow and empty ceremonies. It is understood that their practice of “baptisms” does not refer to the Christian custom started by John the Baptist, but rather to the series of purification washings they practiced; these were more traditional than spiritual.

It is wonderful to know that we have our High Priest, Jesus, our Priest and King, “inside the veil,” in the heavenly sanctuary, just as Melchizedek was.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, NKJV)

Now is the time. Tomorrow… tomorrow could be too late!