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The Order of Melchizedek – Hebrews 7
The Order of Melchizedek – Hebrews 7
Before Moses, the law, and the priesthood of Aaron, there was a priest of the Most-High God. His name was Melchizedek. The Hebrew writer tells us that the name means 'King of righteousness'. He also informs us that this man was King of Salem.
As far as the record goes, we know little about this person. When we meet him for the first time, he is a priest. He then fades into obscurity still being a priest. When the Hebrew writer states that 'he is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life', it is this obscurity of info concerning Melchizedek that is being referred to. If taken in a hyper-literal approach, one would have to conclude that he was 'eternal' as God is – no beginning and no end. The same problem confronts the idea of having no 'father or mother or genealogy'. One could argue that he was created like Adam but then he would have a beginning of days.
The solution to this is that we are speaking in regards to priesthood qualification. To be a priest after the order of Aaron, one had to prove his genealogy and hence his father and mother. Such qualification is not based upon character and godliness as many priests proved over the years after Aaron. There were also many priests after the order of Aaron because they kept dying.
Melchizedek on the other hand has no recorded birth or death. He is a priest unto God because he is godly and serves God from character and integrity. This sets up the situation for the coming of Jesus. Jesus is appointed priest but is of the 'wrong' genealogy for He is of the tribe of Judah and not Levi. His appointment as priest will have no end for he ever lives to make intercession for us.
Another great difference between the Aaronic priests and Melchizedek is that he was not only a priest but also a king. Jesus is also both king and priest. He is now sitting and ruling as king of king and lord of lords (Rev. 17:4). He was crowned with glory and given all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18). We as believers have been translated into His kingdom (Col. 1:13).
In all ways then this priesthood of Jesus after the order of Melchizedek is better. There is NO GOING BACK for the priesthood changed, the law changed, the sacrifice has changed, and the temple has changed – all for the BETTER. We trust in Jesus as our high priest and we give Him our allegiance as our king. To Him we will be faithful and true.
Hugh DeLong
