Near to the Heart of God A Study of the Book of Hebrews

Lesson 16 Hebrews 7:1 – 10 Genesis 14 Psalm 10

Abraham, Melchizedek, and Messiah

I.

Introduction

A. Airbus over India B. Who would have thought you could build a case on four verses from the Old Testament?

C. This is the second time the author has chosen to build a major argument on events that were recorded in the Pentateuch.

1.

The first: Israel’s failures in the wilderness.

a.

Chapters 3 and 4 of Hebrews b.

c.

d.

Israel’s failure to enter rest These events were interpreted in the light of Psalm 95.

Our author demonstrates our predisposition to fail to follow God (and thus our need for a High Priest).

2.

The second instance is found in our text: Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek.

a. Chapters 5-7 b. There is a convergence of themes here: 1) The Son’s Deity 2) 3) 4) The Son’s Humanity The Son’s Eternality The son’s Kingship 5) The Son’s Priesthood c. Our Text focuses on Christ’s sufficiency in the light of our deficiency (chaps. 3-4).

d. Genesis 14 is interpreted in the light of Psalm 110, and then applied to the reader.

D. My approach in this lesson.

E. The context of our text.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

The Sufficiency of the person and work of the Son (chapters 1 & 2).

The deficiency of man & need for a Great High Priest (chapters 3 and 4).

God’s provision of our Priest (4:14-5:10).

Digression due to dullness (5:11-6:20) Christ our Great High Priest (Chapters 7-10)

II.

Abraham and Melchizedek (Genesis 14)

A. Context 1.

Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3) 2.

Leaving Lot (Genesis 13, note vss. 14-18) 3.

Losing Lot (Genesis 14:1-13) a.

b.

c.

d.

Lot living in Sodom (14:12; cf. 13:12-13) Rebellion against Chedorlaomer and the other three kings of the East The issue: the “way of the kings” These four kings attack the rebels, working their way toward Sodom (the last battle, it seems).

e.

f.

The five kings are defeated, Lot taken with the other captives (14:10-12) Abraham pursues & rescues Lot (13-16).

B. Meeting Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17-24).

1.

Abram had an alliance with Mamre and his brothers (but not with king of Sodom).

2.

They pursue and defeat the four Eastern kings, rescue Lot, and capture the spoils.

3.

King of Sodom is on his way to meet Abram 4.

Melchizedek mysteriously appears a.

He is a priest and a king b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

Bread and wine (v. 18; cp. 1 Sam. 10:3) Melchizedek blesses Abram, reminding him God gave the victory (vss. 18-20).

Confirmation of the Abrahamic Covenant Abram gives a tithe to Melchizedek Abram refuses the king of Sodom’s offer

III.

A priest after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4)

A.

Silence on Melchizedek for about 1,000 years B.

C.

D.

E.

Then suddenly this word in Psalm 110 1. Most frequently quoted O. T. text in New 2. Jesus used it in Matthew 22:41-45 This is a psalm of David The structure of Psalm 110 1. An oracle from God: God’s King (verses 1-3) 2. An oath by God: God’s High Priest (verses 4-7) Assumption: Melchizedek is a prototype of the Messiah

F.

G.

Points of correspondence and emphasis 1. Both are kings and priests 2. Deity*/Eternality* a.

b.

Jesus makes this point in Matthew 22 The author of Hebrews will have to rely on the absence of statements in Genesis.

3. The fate of friends and foes (corresponds to Abrahamic Covenant) Theophany? I doubt it.

1. Correspondence - divine and human?

2. The author argues from silence

IV.

Melchizedek & Messiah in Hebrews 7:1-10

A.

Who Melchizedek was (7:1-3) 1. King of Salem (Jerusalem? – see Ps. 76:2) and priest of the Most High God (v. 1) 2. He met Abraham and blessed him (v. 1) 3. Abraham paid a tithe to Melchizedek (v. 2) 4. Meaning of names a.

b.

King of righteousness (Melchizedek) King of peace (Salem) 5. No record of origins or death* 6. Like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually *

B.

What Melchizedek did proved him superior to Abraham and his offspring (7:4-10) 1. Abraham paid him a tithe of the spoils, an indication of his greatness (v. 4) 2. Levitical priests also collect a tithe from their brethren (Abraham’s offspring – v. 5) 3. Melchizedek was not related to Abraham, yet received tithes from him, and blessed him who received God’s promises (v. 6).

4. Thus Melchizedek who blessed is greater than Abraham who was blessed .

5. Mortals are inferior to immortals (v. 8) 6. Melchizedek is greater than Aaron, who was in Abraham’s loins (vss. 9-10).

V.

Conclusion

A.

B.

How does this contribute to the author’s argument?

What principles, lessons or applications can we learn from this text?

1.

2.

3.

4.

Hermeneutics?

The principle of federal headship. This explains a lot. Compare Romans 5 Implications of Christ being both King and High Priest. We are a kingdom of priests.

How did Melchizedek manifest his priesthood? By giving the glory to God, and urging Abraham to do likewise.

5.

What should we learn from Abraham?

a. Be a blessing to others (like Lot and Mamre).

b. When God makes a covenant promise, He allows nothing to prevent it.

1) 2) Abraham’s sin (lying about Sarah) Abraham’s inability (age) 3) Abraham’s enemies (Chedorlaomer) c. Give the glory to God (in finances) d. Separation (from king of Sodom) e. Apply what you have learned to other areas of your life.

1) For a son (Genesis 15:1f) 2) Money (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Copyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 16 in the series,

Near to the Heart of God, A Study of the Book of Hebrews

without credit.

prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for October 26, 2008.

Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or