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4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor. ~ Hebrews 7:4-10
In Hebrews 7 the writer of Hebrews compares the priesthood of Melchizedek with that of the Levitical priesthood, and, he makes the point that Melchizedek's priesthood is superior. He then goes on to point out that the eternal priesthood of Melchizedek is likened to the priesthood of Christ. The writer of Hebrews spends so much time on this subject because in Acts 6:7 we read, "So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith."
It is obvious that in this book of Hebrews, the writer of Hebrews addressed questions that had been brought up by these priests who had come to faith in the Lord Jesus. His point was Christ's priesthood is the fulfillment of the Old Testament Levitical priesthood, and since this is the case, our lives should be ordered by the Lord Jesus Himself.
In v.4-5 of today's passage we read, "4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham."
Here, the writer of Hebrews reiterates the fact that Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek after Abraham had defeated the kings in the land of Canaan. Also, underscored in this text is the idea that the Levitical priests derived their authority by being in the lineage of Levi. Due to this, the Levitical priests could never acknowledge any greater help than the help that human priests offered. The help that was made available to the people through the Levitical priests was incomplete, limited and temporary because the priests were limited by their humanity at helping the people.
Interestingly, Abraham acknowledged the supremacy of Melchizedek by paying tithes to him. Paying tithes was and is an act of worship, and only God is to be worshipped. That which we worship the most is that which defines us the most. Melchizedek provided a reminder to the people that someone greater than the Old Testament priest was soon coming. And, He would be the Messiah who had no beginning nor an end.
In v.6-7 of today's passage we read, "6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater."
As we mentioned before, everything we know about Melchizedek we discover in Genesis 14:18-20. And, what is clear is Melchizedek is greater than Levi and Abraham. He was greater than Levi because his priesthood was greater than the temporal and limited Old Testament priesthood. He was greater than Abraham because Abraham worshipped Him by giving to Him his tithes. Our worship of God does not make us perfect, but It reveals the perfection, in a certain way, of the One being worshipped. Worship is not an event, it is a lifestyle, it is a personal relationship with God. It is not the bi-product of our souls, although our souls may enter into worship. Biblical worship is the bi-product of our spirit, having been made alive to God and informed by the truth. The Lord Jesus told the woman at the well, "we worship in spirit and in truth."
In v.8-10 of today's passage we read, "8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor."
The priesthood of Melchizedek provided Abraham a picture of the coming Messiah, an eternal and royal priesthood, that would deliver eternal righteousness and peace. In Psalm 85:10 we read, "Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other." Melchizedek was a type of Christ delivering righteousness first, then peace. There is no peace with God unless He shares His righteousness with us. And, of course, this is what happened at the cross of the Lord Jesus.
When the righteousness of Christ was made available to us, God's righteousness became ours. The love and faithfulness of God came together at the cross delivering His righteousness and peace to all who are willing of heart enough to receive this incredible gift.
After we trusted Christ as our Savior, immediately, God saw us enveloped in the righteousness of Christ. Every priest wanted to make a man righteous that he might be at peace with God, but the Old Testament priests could not do that due to their human limitations. As a type of Christ, Melchizedek’s very name meant righteousness, and his city was called peace, emphasizing that His was a kingdom and His was a priesthood of righteousness and peace. Christ came to give us His righteousness that we might be at peace with God. The assurance which flows out of this grand plan that goes back for centuries has found safe haven in the soul of the humble and willing believer in Christ.
