Hebrews 7:1-2

Summary retelling of Hebrews 7:1-2

Melchizedek was king of Salem (Jerusalem) and he was a priest of the Most High God.  He met with Abraham after a military victory and blessed Abraham.  Abraham gave him a tenth (tithe) of everything he had won in battle.  {Please see Genesis 14:17-24.}

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Melchizedek was both a priest and a king.  Over the past few chapters, I’ve already made this a significant point, but it is worth repeating.  Every ruler of the Hebrew people up to David was chastised – even punished – when they tried to perform priestly duties.  Every priest who came from the line of Aaron never had any rights to rule.  Melchizedek – and the kings of Jerusalem who followed after him – was unique.  He and his line had rights to rule and priestly duties towards God.  If Jesus was going to be both priest (in order to make a sacrifice for our sake) and a king (in order to rule over creation) he had to come from the order of Melchizedek.

Why is it important that we see Jesus as both a priest and a king?  What are the duties of Jesus as king of your life?  What does Jesus do for you as a priest over your life?

Second Thought:

There is also something symbolic going on behind the text.  The name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness.”  The name Salem means “peace.”  Thus, we can honestly say that Melchizedek is the king of righteousness and the king of peace.  Symbolically, think about what this means for Jesus.  If Jesus is of the order of Melchizedek, then He is also the king of righteousness and the king of peace.  Quite literally, humanity can only be at peace with God through righteousness.  We cannot be righteous on our own.  Thus, the order of Melchizedek becomes a symbol of what God has done: to pave a way for us to be righteous so that we can be at peace with Him.  He has done all the necessary work.

How often do you consider whether or not you are at peace with God?  Why is it important to be at peace with God?  What does it feel like to be at peace with God?

Third Thought:

Abraham gave a tenth (tithe) to Melchizedek.  This would be considered a tithe to God, since it was really God who blessed Abraham through Melchizedek.  What we can see here is that the practice of tithing then isn’t instituted by the Law (because Abraham lived well before Moses).  Instead, tithing is a practice of the faithful.  If we desire to respond to God properly, we will tithe out of the blessings that God puts into our life.

Do you tithe?  When you tithe, what do you give?  Do you give cheerfully?  Why is tithing important?  What benefits are there to a tithe?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 7:3