Hebrews Learner's Guide WEEK 2 Melchizewhat? Hebrews 7:1-10 1.29.17 It was when I was happiest that I longed most. The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing to find the place where all the beauty came from. C.S. Lewis Day 1 What Do You See? 1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. 4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. (ESV) Q1: In the Old Testament, religion and priests go hand in hand. Moses had carefully laid out all the rules for the Levites, the priestly clan of Israel. But the Hebrew Christians had departed from their old religion that was centered on priestly functions. Yet some of them hankered to return to their old ways. "Don't turn back," says the pastor to the Hebrews. "You have something far better in Christ." In
chapters 7-10, the author tells of Christ's superior priestly origin, his better covenant and his sufficientfor-all-time sacrifice of himself. Regardless of whether we have had to move away from old traditions to find Christ, we all need confidence builders like chapter 7 so that, as we run our faith-race, we will stick with Jesus no matter what. List one thing that threatens your wholehearted commitment to Jesus and one person who strengthens it. How can you return the favor this week? Q2: List 3 questions that you have based on your reading of Hebrews 7:1-10. Q3: Summarize Hebrews 7:1-10 in your own words. Try to limit the length of your summary to the space below. Father in Heaven, give me understanding of your Word this week. Help my love for you to grow because of it. Sanctify me by your truth. Your Word is truth. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Day 2 Melchizedek: Enigma of Salem (1-3) Q1: The pastor to the Hebrews begins by explaining the significance of Melchizedek, since understanding him is foundational to appreciating Jesus Christ's high priestly ministry. He had wanted to tell his readers more about Melchizedek back in chapter 5 but, due to their lack of understanding about the basics of the Christian life, he didn t consider them ready. In chapter 7, he picks up where he left off in 5:11, explaining Melchizedek s priestly office. What are the three titles given to Melchizedek? Read Ephesians 2:14-16 and Philippians 3:7-9. How do the titles given to Melchizedek point us to Jesus? Q2: Read Genesis 14:17-20. What are the circumstances that lead to Abraham s encounter with Melchizedek, priest of the Most High God? Q3: One of the building blocks of fruitful Bible study is the understanding that Scripture interpret Scripture. In verse 3, the author uses Psalm 110:4 and the absence of any mention of a family tree in Genesis 14 to draw a conclusion. What conclusion does he draw about Melchizedek s priestly office? Father in Heaven, through Christ Jesus you have provided us with an eternal mediator to reconcile sinners with you and to intercede for us. Help me to remember today that Jesus is on my side, interceding for me and securing my relationship with you. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Day 3 A Different Kind of Priesthood (4-6) Q1: Great as his name and position were, there was one incident in Genesis 14:17-20 that proved Melchizedek's superiority to the Hebrew readers. According to verse 4, what was that incident and why is it significant? Q2: In verse 1, the superiority of Melchizedek to Abraham is shown by the fact that Melchizedek blessed Abraham. According to verse 6, what belonged uniquely to Abraham that made Melchizedek s blessing of him so spectacular? Q3: In verse 5, the theme of Melchizedek s greatness is now developed in relation to the Levitical priesthood. Read Numbers 18:21-24. Why did God command Israel to give a tithe (one tenth of an Israelite families produce) to the Levites? Father in Heaven, you deserve all I have to give. Help me to be a faithful giver and to hold all my possessions in an open hand. Everything I have is yours. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Day 4 The Lesser Levites (7-8) Q1: The sons of Levi, who received tithes from their brethren, died. Melchizedek, however, who received tithes from Abraham, lived on. Read Revelation 1:17-18. How do these verses explain how Jesus is a high priest after the order of Melchizedek (5:10)? Q2: According the verse 7, the pastor to the Hebrews says that in the case of Abraham and Melchizedek, the inferior is blessed by the superior. Who is the inferior and who is the superior? Q3: In verse 8, a comparison is made between the Levitical priests and Melchizedek. What is do they have in common? What is the major distinction between them? Father in Heaven, you raised your Son from the dead. He is alive forevermore. He has conquered death and lives so that I too may have life. Thank you for Jesus. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Day 5 The Greater Blesses the Lesser (9-10) Q1: In the first paragraph of Hebrews 7, the author sets out to show that Melchizedek is superior to the Levitical priests. In verses 1-3, material is taken from Genesis 14:17-20 to invite us to consider the greatness of this priest of the Most High God. In verses 4-10, the author of Hebrews makes the case for Melchizedek s greatness in order to prepare us to see just how much greater Jesus, our great high priest, is. List the ways that our pastor has shown the superiority of Melchizedek over Abraham and the Levitical priesthood. Q2: If you were to use Hebrews 7:1-10 to explain the gospel to an unbeliever, what truth(s) in the text would you use? Q3: Now that your understanding of Hebrews 7:1-10 has grown, how will it work? What life-changing effect are you praying that this text will have? Father in Heaven, your Word from Genesis to Revelation is perfect to prepare us for every good work you ve created for us to do. Help me to be reminded of your greatness today as my Savior and my God. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.