Melchizedek

[Lost&Found]

In Hebrews 7 Jesus is compared to Melchizedek as a priest. My question is was the comparison due to the fact that Jesus did not descend from Levi like Melchizedek was also not descended from Levi but was still considered a priest of God Most High? Am I correct in this thinking or is there another reason for the comparison?

 

[theLords]

There is much more to it then meets the eye... ;)

I like this thread :bounce

 

[theLords]

I really want to delve deeper into it, but I don't want to deny you the joy of discovering it for yourself!! :nod

I suppose someone else will answer though

Can I nudge you to do a Bible study and ask the Lord to reveal the answer to you, Himself? :D

 

[theLords]

You can start with the OT account, or you can read Hebrews 5-7 :D :bounce

 

[Sissy]

We would probably get to this in the study of Hebrews that was started in the STUDIES forum.
We've talked about chapters 1-5 so far.

But the main gist of the matter is that Melchizedek was a superior priest to those of the Levitical priesthood.
He was not under any law to have to be of a certain family lineage (all Levtical priests had to be of the family of Aaron, specifically his son Levi, and later ever more specific to Zadock)

The author of Hebrews points out that Melchizedek was superior because even the great patriarch, Abraham, paid tithes to Melchizedek. And thus, all the Levitical priesthood also paid tithes to Melchizedek because they were all still in the loins of Abraham (ie. they were not yet born).
In the Levitical system, all tithes were payed to the priests.
But here we see that the Levitical priests paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham, making Melchizedek the superior priest to them all.

Melchizedek blessed Abraham.
It is always the greater that blesses the lesser.
So again, we see that Melchizedek was superior to all the Levitical priesthood that were still in the loins of Abraham.

Since Melchizedek was shown to not of come from a certain family lineage, and was superior, it should not have been hard for the listening crowd to understand that Christ did not have to of the line of Levi in order to be their superior priest of the Most High God.

It was prophesied that the Messiah would be after the order of Melchizedek.

Psalms 110
(4) The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
​

So, the Jews should not have been looking for a Messiah who would be both king and priest from the tribe of Levi.

Messiah would be a superior priest.
Messiah would offer a superior sacrifice.
Messiah would bring a superior covenant.
Messiah would offer a superior country (a heavenly one).
Messiah made way for a superior resurrection.