“But Melchizedek who does not share their ancestry collected a tithe from Abraham and blessed the one who possessed the promise. Now without dispute the inferior is blessed by the superior, and in one case tithes are received by mortal men, while in the other by him who is affirmed to be alive. And it could be said that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid a tithe through Abraham. For he was still in his ancestor Abraham’s loins when Melchizedek met him.” Hebrews 7:6-10 NET
The Melchizedek priesthood predates Abraham, creating a
profound spiritual connection with him. This was an era before the physical
birth of Abraham's descendants, inclusive of the Levitic priesthood. Notably,
Melchizedek did not share in the Abrahamic lineage; however, their bond is
established through their mutual reverence and believing loyalty in the 'Most
High God.' This illustrates the timeless nature of their spiritual connection
that transcends genealogical ties.
Melchizedek recognized that Abraham carried a divine
promise, so he received Abraham's tithe and blessed him. He
understood that something extraordinary would come forth from Abraham's lineage—a people chosen by God when He separated the nations at the Tower of Babel. This divine
selection rendered Abraham and his descendants unique; they were set apart from
all others, destined to become God’s earthly family. More specifically, they
were called to be a priestly family, entrusted with the vital mission of
spreading God's fame throughout the known world and beyond.
This is the place in Hebrews that states that the inferior is
blessed by the superior. Another way to put this is the one who has the power
to give the blessing is greater than the one who is blessed. Why would that be? Because the Melchizedek priesthood was fully formed and was operating in its capacity to declare the righteousness of the most High God, Abraham’s “priesthood” (or the Levitic priesthood) had yet to be established. The other thing that
sets Melchizedek priesthood apart is the only thing required to become a priest
of the Melchizedek order was to maintain believing loyalty in the most High
God, and declare that He is the King of righteousness through His name.
This passage asserts a profound truth from the writer Hebrews:
the inferior receives blessings from the superior. Simply put, the one who
holds the authority to bestow blessings is greater than the one who receives
them. This principle is especially important when we consider the Melchizedek
priesthood. This ancient order, which powerfully declares the righteousness of
the most High God, predates the Abrahamic priesthood, commonly known as the
Levitical priesthood. What truly sets the Melchizedek priesthood apart is its
singular requirement: to believing loyalty to the most High God and to boldly
proclaim Him as the King of righteousness through His name.
Melchizedek was indeed a man, but he symbolized something
far more profound—the righteousness of God manifesting in and through humanity.
Though the text may not explicitly mention it, Melchizedek serves as a powerful
type and shadow of Christ, designed to prepare the children of Abraham for the
truth that the law and the Aaronic priesthood were merely temporary frameworks.
These systems would eventually fall short in light of a new and more profound
reality.
This brings us to an important question: why didn’t Abraham
embrace the Melchizedek priesthood model? The answer lies in the context: God
was constructing a nation from the ground up. The people needed to learn laws
and establish order to effectively govern themselves before they could
transition into the more elevated and spiritual Melchizedek priesthood. This
preparation was essential for the future of their nation and their relationship
with God.
There is compelling evidence to suggest why Abraham chose
not to adopt the Melchizedek priesthood model. Previously, he had tried to
fulfill God's promise through his own efforts, influenced by his wife Sarah.
Unfortunately, this led to the birth of Ishmael, who ultimately did not inherit
God's promise. This episode served as a crucial lesson for Abraham—a painful
yet transformative reminder that reliance on his own understanding and effort
would only lead to disappointment. It was through this experience that God shaped Abraham's faith, guiding him to trust in God’s timing rather than his
own impulses. This is precisely why God waited until Abraham was much older to
bless him with Isaac, the true son of promise.
Melchizedek possessed a profound insight into God’s ultimate
plan, viewing Abraham in a much larger context. It is crucial to understand
that when Melchizedek blessed Abraham, he conveyed the very words God had
entrusted to him, powerfully affirming God’s promises. The text reveals that
even though Levi had not been born for many years, his priesthood—which had
yet to be physically established—was already receiving tithes. In an
extraordinary act, Levi paid a tithe through Abraham to Melchizedek, symbolizing
the anticipation of his future role as a priest. The writer of Hebrews
compellingly demonstrates that the Levitical priesthood was already embedded
within Abraham long before it ever came into reality.
It was a profound promise given to Abraham and Sarah, who
were first known as Abram and Sarai. Their names held deep significance related
to their life purpose. Abram, meaning “exalted father,” carried an ironic
weight as he faced the heart-wrenching challenge and disappointment of being
childless with Sarai, who was unable to conceive. Sarai herself meant
“princess,” although the Genesis narrative doesn’t clarify whether she hailed
from Canaanite royalty or if Abram simply saw her as his cherished princess.
When God declared that Abraham’s descendants would outnumber
the stars in the sky, He transformed Abram’s name into Abraham. This new name,
meaning “father of a multitude,” indicated God’s intention to bring this
promise to fruition in Abraham’s life. Likewise, God renamed Sarai to Sarah,
which translates to “woman of noble character.” While her original name
suggested “princess,” this change reflected God’s recognition of her true
character as a noble and beloved figure.
Abraham and Sarah, despite God’s promise of a son, had to
learn to wait for the fulfillment of His promises rather than trying to fulfill
them through their own efforts. This lesson was emphasized through the birth of
Ishmael, who, unlike Isaac, was not a son of the promise but rather a son born
of human effort. This experience underscored the importance of patience and
faith in God's promises, as God’s blessing for His purpose in future
generations would not be upon Ishmael. Abraham realized that God’s promises
would come to pass without his intervention. This is why he had to wait until
he was one hundred years old and Sarah was ninety to receive the promise. God
performed a miracle, resulting in the birth of Isaac, whose name means
"laughter," and who would carry God's promise through the
generations.
Stephen Barnett
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