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 very day we get ready to do something before we actually do it.
Each morning we wake-up, for  example,
and get ready for the day. Some of us brush our hair (if we
have hair). Some of us may clean our teeth (if we have teeth).
We decide what clothes to wear. We go through the preparation
process every day. If we take a trip somewhere, we make plans
in advance. We decide where we will stay. We pack our bags
and we plan how we are going to get there. When a house is
built, the foundation of the house is prepared before the
house is actually built. This process is repeated day after
day. We prepare and then do it. We lay the foundation and
then build. That is what the author of Hebrews has been doing.
He has been preparing the foundation for his main point through
the first six chapters of Hebrews. He has been laying the
foundation in preparation for his message in chapters seven
and eight. This study finishes the foundation.
The Last Piece.
The Holy Spirit has warned the readers of Hebrews to listen
to Jesus (Heb. 2:1-4), to believe in Jesus (Heb. 3:7-4:13),
and to not go back to Judaism (Heb. 5:11-6:20). Between these
warnings, he has explained that Jesus is better than the angels,
whom they highly respected. He has also explained that Jesus
is more faithful - dependable and trustworthy - than Moses.
He interrupted His explanation that Jesus is greater than
any earthly priest to give His last and third warning. Now
in chapter seven, the Spirit returns to Melchizedek in order
to show us that Jesus is like Melchizedek. This is the last
piece of the foundation before He starts building the walls
- His conclusions. We are about to see the first of several
major reasons for the book of Hebrews.
Background.
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For
this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most
High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from
the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom
also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils,
was first of all, by the translation of his name,
king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem,
which is king of peace. (NASB) Hebrews 7:1-2 |
The Holy Spirit has come back to Melchizedek. He had started
to explain in Hebrews 5 that Jesus was a high priest just
like Melchizedek. In order to do this, He now shares some
information about Melchizedek. But first we need to travel
back to Genesis and see the first time that Melchizedek shows
up on the pages of scripture. Abram (later called Abraham)
has just defeated the army of King Chedorlaomer and his alliance
of kings in order to rescue his nephew, Lot.
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Then
after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and
the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went
out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is,
the King’s Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem
brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of
God Most High. And he blessed him and said, “Blessed
be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and
earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered
your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him
a tenth of all. (NASB) Gen. 14:17-20 |
Upon
his return, Melchizedek brings some food for Abram and his
men (Gen. 14:18) and then blesses Abram. Abram responds by
giving him ten percent of the spoils of the battle. |
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