Hebrews 7, That Great Hero ... Melchizedek??

We continue the"Jesus is high priest" theme by examining the ancient and mysterious figure of Melchizedek.  You might never think to notice him if you were just reading along in Genesis 14:18-20.

Hebrews 7:1-4, Melchizedek, king of Salem
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace." Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever.  Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!

The crux of the matter with Melchizedek: he is higher than Abraham!  The lack of information about Melchizedek is used to suggest (probably as a metaphor) that he was ageless, eternal, a "type" for the Messiah.

Salem was most likely the town that would, one day, become Jerusalem.

Hebrews 7: 5-10, Melchizedek received the "priestly tithe"
Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people--that is, their brothers--even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.  And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater.  In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.  One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

A strange argument meant to show that Mel is above the Levites and their priesthood.  The author is confronting an apparent contradiction -- that the final High Priest came out of Judah's line, not Levi's!

Hebrews 7:11-14, The Aaronic priesthood was insufficient
If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come--one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?  For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.  He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar.  For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

So Judah and Levi are reconciled.  The High Priest line is one of faith, not Law.  (See Paul's teaching in Galatians.)

Hebrews 7: 15-17, Our Messiah is the Forever Priest!
And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

Jesus, model for both Judah and Levi.  The Old Testament quotation is from Psalm 110:4, the only passage, outside of Genesis 14, that mentions Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:18-19, A better hope
The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

A Pauline idea; the Law was a tutor....  It was weak and useless, waiting to be strengthened by the Messiah and the accompanying Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 7:20-22, Jesus sworn in with a better covenant
And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: `You are a priest forever.'" Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

The concept of "Covenant" appears.  The King James Version used "testament" in 22 and from there we get our Old and New "Testaments".

Hebrews 7:23-25, Permanent and complete 
Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Jesus provides a better, complete and permanent covenant.   The phrase "save completely" could also mean "save forever".

Hebrews 7:26-28, Final sacrifice, once for all
Such a high priest meets our need--one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.  Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.  For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

"Once for all" -- this will become a theme in the next few chapters.  The old sacrificial system is over; the Final Lamb has made his sacrifice.

Hebrews 6, A Scolding

In this chapter the writer digresses to scold his readers for slowing down in their spiritual life; they may even be turning around, backtracking, in their walk with God and their Messiah.

Hebrews 6:1-3, Moving on to maturity
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.

This is a clear call to stepping up to more serious growth as a Christian and not hanging out at the "Jesus Saves" introductory level of spiritual understanding.  The readers are called to move on to maturity in (1) faith in God, (2) instruction about baptisms (?!), (3) laying on of hands, (4) resurrection of the dead, (5) eternal judgment.

Although the writer hopes to eventually move on, he/she has to digress too far, apparently, to cover some of this.  How I would like to know what was going to be said about "the laying on of hands" or "instructions on baptisms"!  Was the writer prevented by immature Christians from continuing in these instructions?  Or did God have a better plan and not intend for these more esoteric discussions to appear here?

Instructions on baptisms could also be "cleansing rites".

Footnote on "acts that lead to death" in verse 1: could be translated "from useless rituals".

Hebrews 6:4-8, True enlightenment carries responsibilities
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

This is a strange instruction about turning back. Some say it teaches one can lose their salvation.  If so, it then teaches that the salvation is lost forever.  I think it warns a group of people of the dangers of faking it.

I am reminded of the writings of C. S. Lewis here. In the C. S. Lewis book, The Great Divorce, Lewis describes a number of people with varying degrees of understanding and enlightenment, who cannot quite make the step to truly giving their life over to God. Included in the group are a number of ministers and some "good" people, people who like "doing good", not because they see God, but because it gives them rewards and control. A particularly memorable passage involves Frank, represented by a dwarf and the Tragedian; Tragedian is an outer pretense that Frank maintains. Although a beautiful lady (Frank's former wife) attempts to get Frank to see the joy represented by God, at the last moment, the Dwarf turns away and the Tragedian takes over. (A synopsis is here.) This a regular theme of Lewis -- that people can look good or look religious, without the deep change that occurs when they truly meet God.

Hebrews 6:9-12, Respond to the rain!
Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

This is an agricultural metaphor, similar to the parable about the fig tree (Luke 13:6-9.)

Hebrews 6:9-12, Better things for you!
Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case--things that accompany salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

The passage is now upbeat and encouraging, as if the writer knows his readers, at some deeper level, have been serious about their faith and need to be merely reminded.

Hebrews 6:13-15, Swearing by himself
When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

The quote is from Genesis 22:17.   This is an apparent tangent? It is a strange argument... that God needs to swear by Himself?!

Hebrews 6: 16-18, A strong oath, strong promise
Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.

What are the two unchangeable things?

Hebrews 6: 19-20, Behind the curtain of the sanctuary
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

We are encouraged to follow Jesus into the inner sanctuary, "behind the curtain."

In the next post we go on to a serious conversation about Melchizedek.  (Yes, Melchizedek!)

Hebrews 5, The Role of The High Priest

We continue the discussion of the Jewish high priest, one sympathetic with our human frailties, yet divinely appointed to stand for us.

Hebrews 5:1-3, Human high priests

Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.  He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.  This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

The high priest is human, sympathetic to humans.  Like us, he is Frail (by Jars of Clay).

Hebrews 5: 4-6, Jesus appointed high priest
No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.  So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father."  And he says in another place, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

The position of high priest, given to a frail human being, required a divine appointment.  This, too, Jesus had.

The Bible passages are from Psalm 2, verse 7, and Psalm 110, verse 4.  Both psalms are messianic passage about the coronation of David and David's line.

Hebrews 5: 7-10, Jesus' ministry a life of priesthood
During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.  Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

So Jesus is both the Son and a human high priest, both savior and sympathetic brother.  The author is apparently alluding to events in Jesus's life when he prayed with "loud cries and tears".  It is not clear to which events the author is thinking, but the prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane comes to mind.  If so, the author provides that as evidence of Jesus's submission and process of being "made perfect."

Once again, Melchizedek is mentioned.  But the discussion of Melchizedek must wait, for the writer of this letter has a serous concern.

Hebrews 5:11-14, Frustration
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.  In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!  Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.  But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

The author of Hebrews digresses to chide his readers for their lack of maturity. They have been Christians for some time....

This passage ends with a note of frustration.  The frustration builds throughout the next chapter, to become a serious scolding.

Hebrews 4, Entering God's Rest

The picture from Exodus, begun in the previous chapter, is of an Israelite nation on the verge of the promised land, stalling for 40 years across the Jordan River, unable to enter their promise because of their (deliberate) "unbelief".  The writer of Hebrews continues this metaphor, with a warning.

Hebrews 4:1-2, Listen!
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.  For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. 

What is the rest?  In this metaphor, it is the "promised land".  Is it Heaven?  Eternal salvation? Confidence with God?  Commentators differ.  I think it is overly simplistic to call it "(eternal) salvation."  It is most likely a stable place of steady confidence in God.

Hebrews 4:3-5, Rest complete
Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "So I declared on oath in my anger, `They shall never enter my rest.'" And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world.  For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "And on the seventh day God rested from all his work."  And again in the passage above he says, "They shall never enter my rest."

The author quotes from Psalm 95:11, continuing the study of the last half of that psalm.  In that psalm, David (or another psalmist) praises God for all of creation, ending with a warning about the importance of moving forward in trust and obedience, not turning back like the nation of Israel did in events named Meribah ("quarreling") and Massah ("testing".)

The author then reminds his/her listeners of the creation story, where "somewhere" it was written that God rested on the seventh day.  Clearly the author and the readers know where that was written!  The phrase "somewhere" is not one of ignorance but one of intimacy, an expression along the lines of "as we all know..."

A reading of Psalm 95 would make one naturally turn to the opening chapters of Genesis, as the psalm emphasizes God's creation.

Hebrews 4:6-10, Today

It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience.  Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.  There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;  for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.

The quote in verse 7 ("Today") is again from Psalm 95, verses 7 and 8. The word "Today" is being used here as a way to emphasize the urgency of this message.  The readers need to respond to this message now.

The Greek word Yeshua appears 14 times in the book of Hebrews.  It is the Greek name for Jesus, but here, in verse 8, it surely means Joshua, the Old Testament hero.  The names Jesus and Joshua are the same!

A basic interpretative question here is, "What is God's rest?  What is this 'Sabbath-rest' for the people of God?"

Hebrews 4:11-13, Naked and transparent before God
Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.  For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

In Christian cultural circles (in the US) it seems common to use "word of God" as a phrase for the Bible.  But the Bible has a number of different, related meanings for this phrase occurring in verse 12.  In Genesis 1, Jeremiah 23:29, Isaiah 55:11 (& 1 Thess 2:13) and other Old Testament places, the "word of God" is simply God-in-action.  When God acts, God's Word acts.

In John 1:1, we see Jesus identified as "The Word [Logos] of God".  This is not especially surprising.  If God's "Word" is God-in-action, and if Jesus is the "exact representation" of God in human form then, yes, Jesus represents God in action.

Occasionally, the "word of God" means the scriptures, as described throughout Psalm 119:9-11.  So there are three meanings of "word" in the Bible:  (1) God's commands, (2) Jesus, the embodiments of God's action, (3) Scripture.

Which is meant here?  Surely some combinations of meanings 1 & 2.

How is "the word" living and active?

Hebrews 4:14-16, Sympathetic high priest

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

What does it mean to have "gone through the heavens"?

How is Jesus described here?  Why are we to have confidence?

The high priest both comforts us and stands for us.   This repeats the theme of 2:18: our high priest is sympathetic to us.

Hebrews 3, One Greater Than Moses

In the first two chapters of this letter, our author emphasizes that Jesus is God, far above the angels. Now the author compares Jesus with that ancient Jewish hero, Moses.

3:1-4, Jesus is greater than Moses
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.  He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house.   Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.  For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.

What is the house here?  How does the metaphor of house & house-builder fit into the Jewish point of view?  What role does Jesus have?  What is he called here?  Note how the roles & titles of Jesus seem to morph; the author is not consistent; his metaphor is fluid.

3:5-6, Son vs. servant
Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future.  But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.

Jesus is the architect/owner of "God's house"; Moses is the butler who welcomes you in.

"God's house" is equivalent to God's kingdom, or (in New Testament language) the universal Church.

3:7-11, A lesson from the Exodus
So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did.  That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, `Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.'  So I declared on oath in my anger, `They shall never enter my rest.'"

The writer is quoting from Psalm 95 (verses 7-11) here.  Note the new metaphor, from ancient Jewish history.  What is the "rest" implied here? How is Jesus involved in that rest? Moses?

3:12-15, Hear his voice!
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.  We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.  As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."

There are more quotations from Psalm 95.  The nation of Israel, as recorded in the book of Exodus, saw dramatic displays of God at work, yet backed off at the last moment, unable to enter the Promised Land.

What is the meaning of the phrase, "as long as it is called Today"?  What is the real concern here?

3:16-19, The danger of disobedience

Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?  And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert?  And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed?  So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

The action that kept the Jewish people out of the promised land was (active) unbelief, an active refusal to acknowledge God's plan.  The writer of Hebrews is concerned here that his/her readers may also back away at the last moment, snatching defeat from victory.

Compare the ending of this passage with the beginning.  The overall comparison is of Moses and Jesus; what Moses began, Jesus completes.  So, the message is, "Move on and don't get left behind!"