Highlights From HebrewsSample

The Greater Melchizedek

When Israel entered the promised land under Joshua, the tribe of Benjamin failed to hold Jerusalem after the royal tribe of Judah conquered it (Judg. 1:8, 21). Several centuries later, David of the tribe of Judah reconquered Jerusalem and made it his capital. It seems that David knew from the history of Melchizedek that this city was to be the capital of the Land of Promise. David hastened to bring the ark of Israel’s true and high King to the city.

David composed Psalm 110, which is referred to so often in Hebrews that some have regarded Hebrews as an extended commentary on it. In Psalm 110, David writes, “Yahweh said to my Master: ‘Sit at My right hand.’” David says that God (the Father) has enthroned David’s Master (God the Son) as Israel's true and highest King. This statement concerns not only the second person of the Trinity enthroned in glory over the ark but also prophecies about the enthronement of that person at His ascension.

This high King is said to be a priest also, “after the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4). David was king but not a priest, and the Aaronic priests were not kings. But the high King of Israel was both, and throughout Israel’s history, the true King and the true Priest of Israel was the Son of God. Later, the incarnate Son of God would be elevated at His ascension into a status of being both Great High Priest and King of kings.

Not only did the book of Genesis not record a genealogy for Melchizedek, but in stark contrast to all the other servants of God in Genesis, we never read that he died. Some have thus speculated that Melchizedek was a pre-incarnate manifestation of the Son of God. Others argue that he was a mere man, a servant of God who was a type of Savior. God recorded his history in Genesis in such a way as to point to the deathless and eternal character of the reign and ministry of Christ, the ultimate Priest-King.

Either way, the message of the author of Hebrews is clear: Those who were tempted to follow the Judaizers back into the old covenant should realize that the old covenant in Abraham, Moses, and David was always subordinate, always temporary, and always pointed to a higher order, that of Melchizedek.

CORAM DEO Living before the face of God

We can become so caught up in this world that we forget that Jesus is on the throne today, interceding for us as our Priest-King. Remember Him today.