Drawing Near to God Hebrews 7:1-19 Lesson 10 This week, we will be getting to know a man named Melchizedek. The details about him are few and far between, so we are left with only what the Spirit of God reveals about this man and his significance. But, that is enough! He was a king who reigned in Salem who was raised up to be a type of Christ and was honored by Abraham. His name is significant and it means king of righteousness in the Hebrew language. There is no record of his genealogy in the Old Testament which means there is no account of his birth or his death. Suffice to say, he is somewhat of a mystery! But, what we do know is that he was both a priest and a king, and his ministry was superior to that of Aaron. We also know that he continues to be a priest forever. This is also true of Jesus. In Psalm 110, the Father speaks to the Son and identifies Jesus as a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. So, a new order was established and the Levitical priesthood founded in Aaron was now set aside for a better and more effective one. Jesus Christ accomplished what the law could never accomplish. Quite simply, we now have a better hope that allows us to draw near to God. What a joy for every believer! 1
Open your Bible and begin with a word of prayer Please note that this week s scripture reference is in the New Living Translation. We will use this translation upon occasion to give the reader more clarity. This Week s Scripture: Hebrews 7:1-19 This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. 2 Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means king of justice, and king of Salem means king of peace. 3 There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God. 4 Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle. 5 Now the law of Moses required that the priests, who are descendants of Levi, must collect a tithe from the rest of the people of Israel, who are also descendants of Abraham. 6 But Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God. 7 And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed. 8 The priests who collect tithes are men who die, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on. 9 In addition, we might even say that these Levites the ones who collect the tithe paid a tithe to Melchizedek when their ancestor Abraham paid a tithe to him. 10 For although Levi wasn t born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham s body when Melchizedek collected the tithe from him. 11 So if the priesthood of Levi, on which the law was based, could have achieved the perfection God intended, why did God need to establish a different priesthood, with a priest in the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron? 12 And if the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it. 13 For the priest we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members have never served at the altar as priests. 14 What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned priests coming from that tribe. 15 This change has been made very clear since a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has appeared. 16 Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. 17 And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied, You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. 18 Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. 19 For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God. NLT 2
This Week s Memory Verse: For the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. Hebrews 7:19 NKJV 1. According to verse 1, who was Melchizedek? a. What did Abraham give Melchizedek, according to verse 2? b. What was also stated about Melchizedek s name? 2. Look up Isaiah 9:6-7 and note the resemblance between Melchizedek and the Son? a. Who do you think we are reading about in Isaiah? 3. A tenth or tithe is discussed in the next portion of scripture (verses 4-9). Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek. According to verse 5, why did Abraham do this? 4. There are many warnings and promises in Malachi 3:6-12 for those who hold back their tithes and for those who give them to the Lord. Please list them below. a. Warning: b. Promises: 3
As base a thing as money often is, yet it can be transmuted into everlasting treasure. It can be converted into food for the hungry and clothing for the poor. It can keep a missionary actively winning lost men to the light of the gospel and thus transmute itself into heavenly values. Any temporal possession can be turned into everlasting wealth. Whatever is given to Christ is immediately touched with immortality. A.W. Tozer (1897-1963) 5. What further insight does 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 give regarding our gifts to God? a. Many times we are hesitant to give our finances over to God. How does 2 Corinthians 9:8 encourage us? 6. Hebrews 7:19 says, For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God. What does James 4:7-8 tell us about drawing near to God? a. What does verse 7 say is the first step to drawing near to God? 7. How about you? Are you willing to submit everything to God? Will you trust God with your family, your marriage, your relationships, and your finances? The Bible says that we have hope when we draw near to God. What is stopping you from drawing near? 4
Reflect What has touched your heart during this week s study? Respond How has this study encouraged your spiritual growth? Result In what practical ways can you apply what you have learned this week? 5
Thoughts & Prayers 6