Melchizedek will be mentioned again, especially in Hebrews 7, where the relationship between Jesus and Melchizedek is made clearer.
Melchizedek first appears in Genesis 14. He is actually the first priest, not only that but high priest to be mentioned in the bible. He didn't come from the line of Levites. And he has no successor. It was significant that Jesus did not come from the priestly tribe of Levi (Aaron) but is compared to being the same kind of priest as Melchizedek. In Jewish genealogy Jesus came from the royal tribe of Judah (David), making him a King and a priest--like melchizedek.
hmm this is not really an in depth explanation, but I think reading Genesis 14, Psalm 110, and Hebrews 7 will help a lot in understanding why the author of Hebrews relates the two together. and an interesting side note--- tithing.. giving a tenth of what we have came from Melchizedek, not an original idea in levitic law.
happy reading! It's snowing like crazy in Jersey right now.
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So strange, back here at my home church, Pastor Tom preached about Melchizedek today!
ReplyDeleteHe used the same passages Louisa mentioned: Hebrews, Psalm 110, Genesis 14. Also 2 Samuel 7 to explain what David was referring to in Psalm 110.
He talked about everything Louisa did: Melchizedek was a priest before any order of priests (Levi) was established. Thus, he was a priest of the covenant and of promise, not of the law and sin-atoning sacrifice. As such, he foreshadowed Jesus, who, as the ultimate and infinite High Priest, manifests God's unbroken promise to his people.
Maybe I should post these sermon notes up, if there's still some confusion, haha. Sorry that was random, but it was too much of a coincidence for me to ignore it. :P