Friday, August 1 – Hebrews 7, 8

1. What does Melchizedek mean, and how does he serve as a type of Christ? (Hebrews 7:1-2)2)

2. Why is Christ’s priesthood considered superior and more effective than the Levitical priesthood? (Hebrews 7:20-28)8)

3. In what way is the New Covenant superior to the Old? (Hebrews 8:1-7)7)

4. What are the superior promises of the New Covenant? (Hebrews 8:8-13)

The Epistle to the Hebrews provides a detailed theology of God’s perfect plan to save humanity. He accomplishes this through the most significant revelation of His love, in the person of His Son, Christ Jesus. From chapters 1 to 8, we observe Christ’s superiority over angels, Moses, Joshua, the Aaronic priesthood, and the Old Covenant.

In chapter 7, the priesthood of Melchizedek is highlighted as being superior to the Levitical priesthood. His name is a Hebrew compound: Malki-sedecq (“My King of Righteousness”). His birth is dated to the 18th century B.C., according to the Julian calendar. Tradition associates Salem with Jerusalem.

Regarding this figure, some have concluded that Melchizedek was Christ in the Old Testament. I believe this is speculation because that would mean claiming Jesus had two incarnations. Melchizedek was a human being, just like the patriarch Abraham. God chose him to be a type of the antitypical perfect High Priest: Jesus.

The statement in verse 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,” (Hebrews 7:3, NKJV) does not suggest that Melchizedek was eternal. His priesthood endures forever through Jesus. In short, there is no genealogical record for Melchizedek.

Melchizedek came out to bless Abraham and received tithes from him. As the apostle says, this makes him greater than Abraham. In verses 1 and 2, he is identified as King of Salem (King of Peace) and King of Righteousness. These attributes point to the true King of Peace and King of Righteousness: Jesus.

Since Jesus was not descended from the tribe of Levi but from Judah, His supreme priesthood was granted by God Himself (v. 16). The apostle concludes that this was necessary so that, in due time, the Levitical priestly system would be replaced due to its weakness and inefficacy (v. 18).

Let us thank God that Jesus is the guarantee of a better covenant. Unlike the Levitical priests, Jesus remains forever. Verse 25 assures us of ongoing salvation if we draw near to God through Him.

Sister White reassures us that although the heavenly Sanctuary and our High Priest are now unseen, this does not imply loss: “While Jesus ministers in the sanctuary above, He is still by His Spirit the minister of the church on earth. He is withdrawn from the eye of sense, but His parting promise is fulfilled, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ While He delegates His power to inferior ministers, His energizing presence is still with His church.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 166)

Now Paul highlights the main point of everything said so far: “Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” (Hebrews 8:1, NKJV) Again, here the superiority of the New Covenant over the Old is emphasized. The main reason the apostle provides is that this New Covenant is founded on better promises (vv. 6-13).

Paul argues that the Hebrews missed the fact that God had promised to establish a new covenant with the entire house of Israel. The reason God created this new covenant was that the Jews did not meet the requirements and expectations of the old covenant. In Jeremiah 31, the characteristics of this New Covenant are described: “I will put My laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.” (Jeremiah 31:33, NKJV)

Applying this New Covenant to the life of each Christian in spiritual Israel illustrates a process of transformation within us. See how Sister White summarizes this process:

“The light shining from the cross reveals the love of God. His love is drawing us to Himself. If we do not resist this drawing, we shall be led to the foot of the cross in repentance for the sins that have crucified the Saviour. Then the Spirit of God through faith produces a new life in the soul. The thoughts and desires are brought into obedience to the will of Christ. The heart, the mind, are created anew in the image of Him who works in us to subdue all things to Himself. Then the law of God is written in the mind and heart, and we can say with Christ, ‘I delight to do Thy will, O my God.’” (The Desire of Ages, p. 175)

Let us continually express our gratitude to God because, through Christ, we can share in the blessings of the New Covenant made by God with His people. Let us hold fast to our great High Priest and Mediator, Christ Jesus.

May God’s provident care guide us throughout this day.