Tuesday Night Bible Study Notes April 25, 2017 Hebrews 6-7 Hebrews 6 (continued) V14 continued - Did God bless Abraham? Yes, in many ways. He gave him a son as promised even though he was very old, and it seemed impossible, made his descendants numerous, a great nation, and who are his descendants? Israel, yes, but also Christians, all who believe! Romans 4:11, 17 (note nations ). SEE Romans 4:1-25, and note v21. The SO WHAT: What has God promised you? This is only a partial list of God s promises in the bible: Salvation in Christ (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38), victory over death (1 Cor. 15:57) and eternal life (John 10:27, 28), all things that happen in the life of a believer work together for good (Rom 8:28), rewards (1 Cor. 3:13-14), peace even in storms (John 14:27), Forgiveness (1 John 1:9), fruit bearing (John 15, Eph. 5:22, 23), His Spirit to live within you, He will supply all our needs (Phil 4), Security, Guidance from God and prayers will be answered (Luke 11:9 13), Freedom from sin (Romans 6:14), His grace is sufficient, that we needn t work to earn his favor (2 Cor. 12:9, Eph. 2:8-10), hope (Heb. 6:19), abundant life (John 10:10), Joy (John 15:11), a new family (Matt. 19:29) and Phil 2:12, 13 says God will work in you! V15 Abraham wasn t totally patient (the incident with Hagar), but we can be glad that God understood his partial failure because we sometimes fail. But Abe did take God at his word, and believed him. Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. The same is true for Christians like you and me today. Why is it so hard for us to be patient? When we re suffering, we wonder, will God come through? and we must remind ourselves that He does, and remember examples from the Bible and in our own lives! We ought to keep a journal of answered prayer. V16-18 What are the two immutable (unchangeable things)? They may be the oath made to Abraham respecting a Son, the Messiah; and the second could refer to Christ's priesthood, recorded in Psa. 110:4: "Jehovah hath sworn and will not repent. Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. But another view has the two things as God swearing by Himself and the promise itself. Thus God gave Abraham double assurance that He would indeed deliver what He had promised. He gave him the assurance of the promise of the God who does not lie and the assurance that God specially guaranteed that particular promise with an oath. The two unchangeable things are probably God's promise and His oath.
John Mac Arthur comments: The pledge of God's oath to the believer is the presence of the Holy Spirit. Three times Paul referred to the Holy Spirit as God's pledge to believers (2 Cor. 1:22, 5:5). Ephesians 1:14 talks about the "earnest [Gk. arrabon, "pledge"] of the Spirit." In modern Greek, arrabon is used to refer to an engagement ring, a pledge of marriage. Because of God's gracious pledge, my salvation is secured by the Holy Spirit. God can t lie. The writer goes on to say "It was impossible for God to lie" and "we might have a strong consolation." The phrase "strong consolation" comes from the Greek word parakleo which means a "strong encouragement" or "strong confidence." The writer adds, "Who have fled for refuge." The SO WHAT: God's strong promise to Abraham then can be a great encouragement to us now because God has also promised us future blessings. Specifically, He has promised us the possibility of receiving rewards when we see Him if we persevere faithfully now (2 Tim. 2:12). What do we need refuge from? Our own sin, our own punishment and this sinful world! The word refuge is a reference to the ancient cities of refuge in Canaan which appear here as a picture of the refuge in Christ. Josh. 20 records the establishment of six cities of refuge: Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth-Gilead, and Golan. A man who had accidentally committed homicide could take refuge from the avenger of blood in one of these cities. Collectively, these cities are a sort of picture of the church, in which safety from the avenger of blood (Satan) may be received only by entering into and remaining within the sanctuary. V19 Anchor - The anchor was a common figure for hope in the ancient world. Here it especially reminds us that we are anchored to something firm, but unseen. And these Jewish Christians who were so discouraged needed some hope! Coffman s commentary is beautiful on the anchor : an anchor is not doing any good at all as long as it is visible. It is only when it disappears in the deep beneath that it stabilizes and protects the ship; how beautiful is the imagery of Christ's also being out of sight from Christians, having disappeared into the unseen world, but who is nevertheless connected with Christians by the strong and effective cable of his love, just as the anchor, though unseen, is connected to the ship by a mighty chain. As our High Priest, Jesus is the anchor of our souls, the One who will forever keep us from drifting away from God. The believer is anchored to God by His relationship with Christ and can be confident because it is "within the veil" (v. 19). The curtain in the temple which separated men from God was torn from top to bottom when Jesus died on the cross symbolizing that those who believe would now have access to God because of forgiveness and faith (Mark 15:38, 39). The hope for the Christian is Christ the Lord, who has entered into that which is beyond the veil, that is, into heaven itself (the holy of holies was where the presence of God dwelt, and that is really just a picture of heaven); and this corresponds to the actions of the ancient high priest who was typical of Christ in that he went into the Holy of Holies, behind the veil, in the tabernacle.
These verses teach eternal security an anchor firm and secure! SEE Jude 1:24. When Jesus entered the heavenly Holy of Holies, he did not leave afterwards, as did the Aaronic high priests. Rather, "He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Heb. 1:3). And Jesus remains there forever as the Guardian of our souls. Such absolute security is almost incomprehensible. Not only are our souls anchored within the impregnable, inviolable heavenly sanctuary, but our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, stands guard over them as well! How can the Christian's security be described as anything but eternal? V20 "forerunner" (KJV and NAS) NIV has went before us - the implications are so extensive. It means that where Christ has gone his disciples will follow, that where he is there they may be. The high priest wasn t a forerunner, since the people couldn t follow him into that Holy Of Holies, God s presence. But because Jesus sacrifice was so great and was accepted by God, we may follow him right into God s presence! How awesome is that?! The writer was ready now to proceed to serve the solid food he said his readers needed to eat (5:14 6:1). This spiritual meat was concerning the present high priestly ministry of Jesus Christ and relating that to Melchizedek. CHAPTER 7 The writer to the Hebrews will explain a theme that he has introduced back in Hebrews 2:17: Jesus as our High Priest, and our representative. He had begun to discuss the issue in Hebrews 5:10, but had to spend some time warning these discouraged Christians about the danger of not continuing and progressing in their Christian life. These Jewish Christians probably had an intellectual objection to the idea. This is because Jesus did not come from the priestly tribe (the tribe of Levi) or the priestly family (the family of Aaron). The writer to the Hebrews wants to remove these intellectual problems the Jewish Christians had with the gospel. These intellectual hang-ups were keeping them from continuing to maturity in Jesus. In the same way, too many Christians are hung up on intellectual things that could be resolved so they could move on with Jesus. If a Christian is hung up on issues like creation and evolution, the validity of miracles, or other such things, they should get the issues resolved so they can move on with Jesus. This chapter is also important because it shows us how we should think of the Old Testament institutions of the priesthood and the Law. We ll also revisit our mysterious friend Melchizedek again in greater detail. V1-3 What we know of Melchizedek: SEE Genesis 14:17-20, Heb 5:6-10, plus Psalm 110:4. After Abraham defeated the confederation of kings who took his nephew Lot captive, he met with a mysterious priest named Melchizedek, who was also king over the city of Salem (an ancient name for the city of Jerusalem).
God was Israel s king. Jesus is being spoken of in Psalm 110 as God s son, which makes him a king, but the reason this is here is to note that Jesus is the only Jew ever called King and Priest. For a Jew this would be radical and new. Jesus is not of Aaron's line, but is an independent high priest of universal dominion "after the order of Melchizedek." Melchizedek Melchizedek is possibly the weirdest, most mysterious character in the bible. He pops in for a second, some amazing things are said about him and he s gone. History shows the danger of combining religious and civic authority. Therefore God did not allow the kings of Israel to be priests and the priests to be kings. Melchizedek, who was king of Salem and priest of the Most High God is an unique exception. Priest of the Most High God: Melchizedek was not merely a worshipper of the true God. He had the honored title priest of the Most High God. blessed him: Melchizedek blessed Abraham, and Abraham gave Melchizedek a tithe, which is a tenth part of all. In this case, all refers either to all the spoils of battle, or all of Abraham s possessions in total. king of righteousness, and king of peace : The name Melchizedek means king of righteousness, and he was also king of peace (because the name Salem means peace or shalom ). Most scholars believe Salem is Jerusalem. The Jebusites had first occupied Jerusalem, and at one time the city was called Jebus. The order is subtle, but important. First, Melchizedek in his very name is called king of righteousness. Then he is called king of peace. As always, righteousness comes before peace. Righteousness is the only true path to peace. Without father, without mother: There is nothing said about the genealogy of Melchizedek in the Genesis 14 passage or anywhere else. As far as the Biblical record is concerned, he has no father or mother, no beginning of days nor end of life. Commentators disagree on this point, some think that without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God means that Melchizedek was a heavenly being, if not a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Himself. The other view is that Melchizedek was a king and priest who did have parents, and a birth date, and date of death, but they purposely weren t recorded in the Bible so that he d prefigure or be a picture or type of Jesus Christ. Jesus did have a genealogy humanly speaking and birth and death date, but remember that as the Logos, or Christ, he always existed and in that sense had no genealogy, date of beginning or end. This is how I lean on this passage because of the phrase made like the Son of God. TYPES: This idea is that in the OT, there are types, or pictures of Christ which aren t him, but they show us some characteristic of the coming Messiah. The Passover Lamb, the Bronze serpent on the pole, the High Priest role, and Melchizedek are Types or Pictures that foreshadow Christ. If Melchizedek WAS Jesus, he wouldn t be a type or picture of Jesus, he d be Jesus.
Like the Son of God: A rose is not like a rose, it s a rose. If Melchizedek is like the Son of God, I don t think he can BE the Son of God. Melchizedek was made like the Son of God. It really isn t that Jesus has Melchizedek s kind of priesthood. Instead, Melchizedek has Jesus kind of priesthood. Similarities between Melchizedek and Jesus: (1) The word "Melchizedek" means "King of righteousness," so the very name is a title of the Lord Jesus Christ. (2) "King of Salem" means "King of peace," and thus the title of Melchizedek is another appropriate title of our Lord (Isaiah 9:6; Psalms 72:7). (3) Melchizedek was both king and priest, unlike any Jew, not even Moses, and it s like Jesus Christ who is both king and high priest. (4) Melchizedek received tithes of Abraham, even as Christ receives gifts from those that love and follow him. (5) Melchizedek brought forth bread and wine (Gen. 14:18); a strong suggestion of the Lord's institution of the Lord's Supper. (6) He blessed Abraham; Christ blesses his followers. (7) Melchizedek's priesthood encompassed service to Gentiles and Jews alike, as witnessed by his reception of Abraham; and Christ likewise is the High Priest of all mankind, having no racial or other limitation. (8) Melchizedek is spoken of as having no genealogy or beginning or end of days as we mentioned earlier, which is a picture of Christ. THE SO WHAT: The writer is also saying, Since there was a priesthood before the Jewish one with Aaron and the sons of Levi, there can also be that same one that continues afterwards. Forever means that Christ has no successor as high priest, that as long as the sun, moon and stars endure, and to the remotest generations of people, he is still the great and only high priest. Human priests always died and had to be replaced, but not Christ. Note that Melchizedek, who was not a Jew, is in the scriptures positively identified with the God Most High. This term (God Most High) is El Elyon, the Old Testament term for God over all peoples. The proper name Yahweh or Jehovah was the covenant name used only for Israel. It s used in the Genesis passage about Melchizedek, Genesis 14:22. V2 Melchizedek blessed Abraham, and Abraham gave Melchizedek a tithe, which is a tenth part of all. In this case, all refers either to all the spoils of battle, or all of Abraham s possessions in total. The priesthood of Levi received tithes from Israel as a commandment. Abraham voluntarily gave tithes to Melchizedek. This makes Abraham s giving to Melchizedek greater than Israel payment of tithes to the priesthood instituted by Moses. V3 The commentators disagree with each other on this point, some think that without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but
made like the Son of God means that Melchizedek was a heavenly being, if not a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Himself. Others say that his genealogy, parents, birth and death dates are simply not recorded in the bible, though he did have them. They say this was done so he d prefigure or be a picture of Jesus. Note that he s made LIKE the Son of God. Melchizedek was a prototype of Jesus Christ in two respects. He was both a king and a priest, and what characterized him was righteousness and peace. But also his priesthood is eternal as is Christ s. Remains a priest continually - Either this refers to the continuation of the priesthood of Melchizedek, or a few scholars say it is evidence that Melchizedek was actually Jesus appearing in the Old Testament. Jesus priesthood does remain to this day, and into eternity. This phrase is what leads some to say that Melchizedek was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. Since Moses did not record Melchizedek's death nor genealogy, this writer could say that he continued as a priest forever, another respect in which he was like Jesus Christ. It isn t that Melchizedek sets the pattern and Jesus follows it. The record about Melchizedek is arranged so that it brings out certain truths that apply far more fully to Jesus than they do to Melchizedek. V4 The point is to show how great Melchizedek was compared to the venerated patriarch Abraham. The father of all Jews gave him a tithe! A tithe is 10% of the best or first fruits of your income, crop, etc. given to God, usually via a local congregation. This is commanded later in the Old Testament as a part of the Law, but is never commanded in the New Testament. There we see giving, but it s free will giving to God via his church first. If you re not giving to God s work, I implore you to start! All you ll be doing is giving God back 10% of what He gave you! And re giving, note: Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. We are to give God our time, talent and treasure which after all, are things He gave to us. Note it calls him a man, probably not a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, but still possible. V5 The descendants of Abraham paid tithes to their priests, the sons of Levi, but Abraham himself paid tithes to Melchizedek. Because the whole tribe of Levi was genetically in the loins of Abraham when he did this, the writer is saying that the Levitical priesthood paying tithes to the priesthood of Melchizedek. See verse 10. This shows Melchizedek is in a position of authority over Abraham and his descendant Levi. V6-7 Greater people bless lesser people, so the fact that Melchizedek blessed Abraham shows his superiority over Abraham. And if Jesus is a priest forever of the order of Melchizedek, then his Priesthood is better than the Jewish priests of that day or any other priest! V8 Men who die that receive tithes are the Jewish priests (Levites) of that day, in other words they re mortal, not eternal. But the Melchizedek priesthood lives on and Jesus is alive! KJV has he liveth! The exact words, "he ever liveth," (KJV) are spoken of Christ in this very chapter (Hebrews 7:25).
V9-10 See notes on v. 5. However people might scoff and sneer at such a thing, the principle of "federal representation," as it is sometimes called, stands, not only from the foundation of the world, but in the countless affairs of men, corporations, and governments all over the world until this day. (Coffman) Adam was our federal head, and we are still in the predicament he and Eve caused by their disobedience. V11 Why would God even make a different order of priesthood (displayed by Melchizedek) if the Levitical priesthood were entirely sufficient? The point is, that Levitical priesthood wasn t perfect or complete and didn t finish the job of redemption as Jesus did. This shows that God never intended that perfection could come through that system. If he had planned it that way, what was the use of a Messiah arising in the order of a totally different priesthood? NOTE: For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. Gal 3:21 All this talk about the interest and concern of his readers in the Levitical priesthood shows that they were Jews by birth, had become Christians, and then were in danger of embracing Judaism. If the intended readers had been Gentiles, they wouldn t have understood most of this. V12 The priesthood of Aaron was connected to the Law of Moses. So if the priesthood is changed, we should anticipate some change of the Law s status or place. NOW SEE Colossians 2:8-23. V13, 14 another tribe: Jesus is obviously not from the family of Aaron or even the tribe of Levi. The tribe of Judah (the tribe of Jesus lineage) had nothing to do with Aaron s priesthood, the priesthood associated with the Law of Moses. Therefore according to the priesthood of Aaron and the Law of Moses, Jesus could never be a priest. If He is our High Priest, it must be under another principle or order of priests. Both Matthew and Luke traced the ancestry of Jesus back through Judah; and the Christian designation of our Lord as "the Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Revelation 5:5) comes from this. V15-17 Jesus priesthood is not based upon law or heredity (a fleshly commandment), but upon the power of God s endless life. None of the Levitical priests had the power of endless life, but Jesus does, and He imparts it to us.