Daily Writing

Tuesday, 20 November 2018

Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? Hebrews 7:11

The author now asks a painfully obvious question. It is a question that every person who is supposedly a follower of Jesus, and yet holds to the Hebrew Roots Movement doctrines, should ask themselves. The question concerns what Paul carefully explains about the Judaizers throughout his writings, but especially in Galatians, and to some extent in Romans. Here, the author begins with, “Therefore.” He is asking his reader to go back over what he has said concerning the greatness of the priesthood of Melchizedek and how Christ’s priesthood is according to that same order.

And so, based on the “Therefore,” he then continues with, “if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood.” The word translated as “perfection” is found only here and in Luke 1:45. It is “a brand of consummation (completion) which focuses on the final stage (fulfillment, end-phase) of the consummation process” (HELPS Word Studies).

The implication he makes, and which is realized throughout Scripture, is that perfection is NOT through the Levitical priesthood. This will be stated explicitly in verse 7:19, but it is obvious, even from the time of the ordination of Aaron and his sons. The death of Nadab and Abihu, recorded in Leviticus 10, demonstrates this without the slightest doubt. The recorded death of Aaron, and the recorded death of all people who lived under this covenant, demonstrates it as well. None are made perfect through the Levitical priesthood. If they were, they would continue to live. This is a guarantee of the law itself as is recorded in Leviticus 18:5 –

“You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.”

The promise was made, and none continued to live. All died, even after the performance of the necessary sacrifices for sin and atonement. The author then continues with a parenthetical thought which says, “for under it the people received the law.” The Levitical priesthood did not bring about the law. Rather, the law brought about the Levitical priesthood. And even more, David proclaimed that another priesthood was coming which would be “according to the order of Melchizedek.” Why would David proclaim another priesthood if the Law of Moses was sufficient to bring about perfection? He wouldn’t.

And yet further, David himself was instrumental in helping arrange the Levite divisions for service in the temple. Despite his intimate familiarity with the Levitical rites and laws, he saw that through them none could attain perfection. He knew that the high priest himself was descended from Aaron, who was descended from Adam. Each inherited Adam’s sin-nature as was seen in the analysis of the previous verses. Their imperfection and sin nature required them to sacrifice for their own sins before they could sacrifice for the people. With these things being perfectly understood as axioms, the author continues with his question by asking, “what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?”

David, looking back to the writings of Moses, and seeing a mere three lines recorded about Melchizedek from the book of Genesis, distinctly saw that the priesthood of Melchizedek was superior to that of Aaron. Under inspiration of the Spirit, he then prophesied concerning the coming Christ that He would come with a priesthood which was not according to Aaron, but according to Melchizedek. The Greek word for “another” implies one of a different kind. It is one which stands in contrast to that which is being spoken of. But what would be the need for such a priesthood if there was already a priesthood in place? Unless there was a defect contained within that first priesthood, there would be no need for another. The question implies a denial in the strongest sense, unless there was an absolute need for what he is proposing. But there was a defect, and thus an absolute need – inherited sin in man. The infection already existed, and the Law of Moses merely highlighted that fact (Romans 3:20). The law could do nothing to change this. And so something else, something better, was needed.

As a side note to this thought, one heresy which arises in Christian theology is a denial of the virgin birth of Christ. A short rebuke to this heresy is that Melchizedek, having no genealogy recorded in Genesis, was a pattern of the Messiah to come. Despite Jesus having a recorded genealogy in His human nature, He has none for His divine nature; He is the eternal Son of God bearing none of Adam’s sin nature. The virgin birth provides the answer for all the theological dilemmas that appeared to be looming when David prophesied of the One to come. To deny the virgin birth is to deny the only tenet which can release us from the bondage of the Law of Moses, a law which highlights, not rectifies, our sin problem.

Life application: The Law of Moses is administered by the Levitical priesthood in regards to violations of the law. The New Covenant does not deal with violations of the Law of Moses for those who are under that law. And so, using circumcision as a benchmark concerning all of the laws found in the Mosaic Law, Paul says in Galatians 5:2-4, “Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. ³ And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. ⁴ You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” To revert to the Law of Moses in order to be pleasing to God sets aside the grace of God in Christ. Trust in Christ alone, be saved by His grace, and continue in that grace without ever reverting to an annulled law which could save none.

We thank you today O Lord for the wonderful blessings You have given us. Help us to appreciate the sun, the rain, the fluffy white clouds, and the beautiful green trees. Above all, help us to appreciate Your word which points us to Jesus… our great High Priest. Praises to You! Amen.

Monday, 19 November 2018

…for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. Hebrews 7:10

In the previous verse, the author’s impeccable logic was given concerning why the priesthood of Melchizedek is superior to that of Aaron. He completes that thought now, while speaking of Levi, by saying, “for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.” Abraham is equated to Levi’s father, as is the common custom in Hebrew genealogies. Levi was in Jacob, Jacob was in Isaac, and Isaac was in Abraham. Thus, Levi “was still in the loins of his father.” In this, what belongs to, or is given away by, the father directly affects the son.

A common example of this is that if a father (Sam Johnson) owns a piece of land, that land will be gifted to the son when it is either gifted to him or when the father dies. However, if the father gives the land to the town for a public park, that land (which would have otherwise belonged to the son) is technically given by the inheriting son to the town. It is as if he had made the grant of land himself through his ancestor Sam. Thus, many generations later, there is the remembrance that this came from the family of Sam Johnson – even to the giving of thanks to the great-grandson who still lives in the town because of his ancestor’s generosity.

Every person who would ever come from Abraham was in Abraham at the moment that Abraham met Melchizedek, and thus their interaction still exists because Melchizedek is a “priest forever.” Those under the law are still giving their tithes, so to speak, to Melchizedek through Abraham. If Melchizedek’s priesthood was said to have ended, this would cease, just as it would cease that Johnson Park would still be given by the descendants if the town were to come to its end. But as long as the town exists and maintains the park, those who descend from Sam are considered as giving to the town.

With this understanding, another technical point must be considered. In verse 7:3, Melchizedek is said to be “made like the Son of God.” The Son of God was not made like Melchizedek. Christ is not subject to Abraham as Levi is. Though His human genealogy descends from Abraham, the fact that Melchizedek is “made like the Son of God” demonstrates that Jesus is prior to Abraham, and that Melchizedek is patterned after the Son of God, not the other way around. However, Jesus’ priesthood, which is based upon His fulfillment of the law and the introduction of a New Covenant, is “according to the order of Melchizedek. It is a priesthood which is not granted by law, but is one which is tied into His nature; it is an inherent right.

What is being relayed here was a critically important point for the Hebrew recipients of this letter who were considering a return to temple sacrifices. Surely Jesus’ priesthood is greater than that of Aaron’s, and a return to the Levitical priesthood would be from the greater to the lesser. A move from Jesus’ covenant to that of Moses, and a move from the priesthood of Jesus to that of Aaron is a move to that which is obsolete and ineffective because that of Moses/Aaron is annulled in Christ (verse 7:18). There can be no salvation for one who fails to come to Christ.

Life application: The same logic used by the author here in verses 7:9, 10 can be used in other areas of theology. Just as Adam is our first father, and we were potentially and seminally in him when he was created, then we are also legally in him as well. This is the reason why all people are born in sin and under God’s wrath. We are, as Jesus said to Nicodemus, “condemned already,” and need to do nothing to be sent to hell. Rather, we need Jesus to be born again and go to heaven. Be sure to understand this… it affects your eternal destiny.

O God! How great is the priesthood of Jesus that His work supersedes that of Aaron! How great is the life of Jesus that His work supersedes that of our father Adam! How great is the Person of Jesus! He is truly our All in all and it is to Him that we must turn. Praise, glory, and honor belong to You alone, O wise and eternal God, for the giving of Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen.

Sunday, 18 November 2018

Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, Hebrews 7:9

The order of words in this verse is the reverse of the Greek. More literally, it says, “…and so to speak, through Abraham even Levi who is receiving tithes, hath paid tithes” (YLT). The words, “and so to speak,” are the author’s way of introducing an argument from Scripture based on something implied in the context of what is being revealed. It is a concept which may, at first, seem unfounded or illogical. And so he introduces the thought this way. However, the logic is impeccable, and it is a tenet which bears heavily on other major doctrines which are found in Scripture.

The author has just stated that “there he receives them,” while speaking of Melchizedek who received the tithes of Abraham. As Scripture witnesses that Melchizedek lives, then logically, “Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham.”

The author makes the case (which Scripture testifies to) that because Levi descended from Abraham, so the tenth that Abraham paid to Melchizedek actually included the sacred portion from Levi who was yet unborn. Abraham (the greater based on being the family head) is the father of Isaac, the father of Jacob, the father of Levi. So when Melchizedek received the tenth from Abraham, Levi is considered in this offering. If the Israelites paid their tenth to the Levites who were set apart to God, then the Levites – through Abraham – paid a tenth to Melchizedek, because Melchizedek still lives. It demonstrates the absolute superiority of Melchizedek’s priesthood over that of Levi.

As was revealed in verse 7:8, the Levites and priests of the Mosaic Covenant were mortal men. They were born into the priesthood, or into the Levitical service, because the law provided for this. They ministered under this priesthood, and they retired and died under this priesthood. There is nothing of the priesthood which attached to them. Rather, they attached to it. And in fact, if they did not minister properly, there was a penalty of separation from the ministry (see Leviticus 10 in the account of Nadab and Abihu). They simply accomplished the work that they were born into. However, Melchizedek’s priesthood, as seen in Scripture, is based solely on his existence. It is his natural right to minister because the priesthood attaches to him.

As the Messiah’s priesthood is “according to the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110), this means that His priesthood is also superior to that of Levi. The logic is impeccable and proves the superiority of Messiah’s work. Therefore, the New Covenant must be superior to the Old Covenant.

Life application: The author of Hebrews has explained, and continues to explain, the superiority of the Person and work of Jesus Christ over that of those who he compares Christ to. He is superior to the angels, He is superior to Moses, He is superior to Aaron, etc. Further, His work initiated a new and eternal covenant which is superior to that of the Mosaic Covenant. Why is the author revealing those things? It is because in demonstrating this superiority, it reveals that those other things are unable to accomplish anything necessary to restore us to God. If there is one theme that we can draw out of the author’s continued stream of logical points, it is “Come to Jesus.” Nothing else will satisfy because nothing else can satisfy. If you are stuck under the Old Covenant system, you are not God’s friend. Instead, you have become His enemy. Come to Christ and be reconciled to God.

Lord God, there is a place where man can go to be eternally filled and eternally refreshed. There is Bread to fill us, and there is a Fount of unceasing Water to rejuvenate us, and it is found in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing else can fill our ever-hungry souls. In Christ, the temporary has passed away. We shall never hunger or thirst again when we come, by faith, to Him. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saturday, 17 November 2018

Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. Hebrews 7:8

Again the author brings in the eternality of Melchizedek’s priesthood. As previously noted, this doesn’t mean that Melchizedek is an eternal being, but because Scripture provides no information on him concerning his death, he is a pattern of Jesus who possesses an eternal ministry. Now, the author first states, “Here mortal men.” The word “here” is speaking of the historical period where the Levitical system was still being practiced in Israel. It is the Levites who collected the tithe from the people of Israel, and who then tithed a portion of that to the priests. These are all termed “mortal men.”

There is a recorded death of Aaron, and there is the record of subsequent generations of Levites and priests who came, served, and died. At the time of the writing of Hebrews, anyone in Israel could go to the temple and see the men there and ask, “How old are you?” None could say, “I am eternal.” All were simply mortal men who served out their term and passed on. The offering to the Levites and priests was because they were set apart for the service of God and the temple; their position was an exalted one, despite the fact that they were mortal and eventually died. But then there is David’s allusion in Psalm 110:4 to the coming Messiah who is “a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” In contrast to those under the law, the author next says, “but there he.”

This is speaking of the account in Genesis which bears the record of Melchizedek. The Bible specifically overlooks any record of his genealogy, birth, death, and so on. Because of this, it is an implicit hint that we are being asked to overlook such things and to consider him as still living. And indeed, the Bible then confirms that viewpoint in the 110^th Psalm. Through these two witnesses, the author says of him, “of whom it is witnessed that he lives.”

This is again intended to show the superiority of the priesthood of Melchizedek over that of the line of Aaron. In one, the priest “lives.” In the other, they are “mortal men.” This understanding can now be coupled with the reception of tithes. Aaron’s line received tithes according to an established law, and they did so in a temporary (mortal) capacity. Melchizedek received tithes by inherent right, and he does so in an eternal capacity. Therefore, one who is “according to the order of Melchizedek” has a priesthood which is both before and after the duration of the temporary system of the Law of Moses. As it is both before and after, it was also there during. While the insert of the law was being played out in redemptive history, the priesthood of Melchizedek (according to Scripture) never stopped being in effect.

In this priesthood, Melchizedek collected Abraham’s tenth of the plunder which, in the next two verses, will be analyzed from a most unique perspective. It is one which will show the immense greatness of Melchizedek in the eyes of the author.

Life application: While thinking on what the author is saying, understand that Abraham is mentioned well over 200 times in the Bible while Melchizedek is mentioned just 10. And yet the author intimates that Melchizedek is greater than Abraham! This would have shocked the Jewish people considering their great admiration and esteem for this noted Patriarch. As this is so, and as Melchizedek is simply a type of Christ to come, why would anyone go back to a temporary, ineffective law in order to be justified before God? The ineffective nature of the law is not because the law was faulty, but because we are. Only Jesus, who came without fault, could be justified before the law. And so only by faith in Him can we likewise be justified before God. Think correctly, leave behind the Hebrew Roots false gospel, and come to Christ for your right standing before God.

O Lord, just as the Israelites depended on their genealogy more than a personal relationship with You, so we often do the same. We boast of our family relationships, our notable friends, how much we make, or how much we have. Rather than this, Your word tells us – “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” Help us to boast only in You! Amen.

Friday, 16 November 2018

Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. Hebrews 7:7

The author here states a simple truth of both the Bible and of life in general. First, he says, “Now beyond all contradiction.” The meaning of the words is that there is absolutely no dispute in the matter which he will present. It is an understood and unquestioned principle recognized by all and at all times. From there, the author completes his thought with, “the lesser is blessed by the better.”

The position or person who is greater (better) bestows a blessing on the lesser. This isn’t the same meaning as when we say “Bless the Lord.” Rather, that is a form of praise from the lesser to the greater. Instead, the author is speaking of a blessing in the sense of something that can be bestowed upon another person.

Think of a graduate from college where the certificate is bestowed by the dean or some other important official. When handed to the graduate, a form of blessing might be given such as, “May the Lord bless the days of your working life abundantly.” If someone is named “Employee of the year” this blessing is granted by someone higher in the company’s ranks, etc. Or, one might think of the blessing of a father upon his children. The father is considered as the superior in that relationship.

Finally, and most directly to the matter at hand, there is the blessing of Aaron (and his line) upon the people of Israel. This was directed by the Lord, and it was – beyond all contradiction – that Aaron was considered the superior of all of Israel in this regard. That is recorded in Numbers 6 –

“‘“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ²³ “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
²⁴ “The Lord bless you and keep you;
²⁵ The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
²⁶ The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’
²⁷ “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”’”

As a note of clarification though, this is not speaking of moral superiority or some other related aspect. This is speaking of a position of rank, office, or authority. In the case of Abraham, he would be in a position lower than the “king of Salem” and “priest of the Most High God” in this regard. A difference between Melchizedek and Aaron is seen here. The Lord instructed through the law that Aaron was to bless the people. However, Melchizedek possessed this right apart from the law. Again, as with the receiving of the tithes, we have a confirmation of the greatness of Melchizedek, and the superiority of His office over that of Aaron.

Interestingly, in the account of Isaac meeting Pharaoh in Egypt, it twice says that Isaac blessed Pharaoh. The same word is used in both occasions and can also be interpreted to “greet,” but it appears the author of Genesis was indicating the greatness of Isaac over Pharaoh.

Likewise, Melchizedek is the one who blessed Abraham, not the other way around. In other words, the “lesser” person is Abraham. He, the man who had received the promise from God, was considered lesser than Melchizedek! For those who have been instructed in the greatness of Abraham, including his name being mentioned again and again in Scripture – such as in the genealogies of Jesus – this seems rather incredible. But the author states this is the case in order to draw the obvious and amazing parallel of Melchizedek to the Person of Jesus.

The greatness of Melchizedek in redemptive history, then, is one of extraordinary importance. There is still a large amount of information that the author of Hebrews is going to draw out of this one short meeting between these two great men – a meeting which consists of only three short verses in the Bible. The author of Hebrews, under divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is providing us with eternal truths about the nature of Jesus’ ministry which are simply astonishing!

Life application: If the author of Hebrews has drawn out (and will continue to draw out) this much theological information from an encounter of only a few verses in the Old Testament, then how much information has God packed into larger passages recorded there? As you read the Bible, ask questions of the text, seeking answers from God who reveals according to His wisdom. Finally, to understand the blessing of Aaron upon the people of Israel, along with doctrine on the Trinity, please feel free to watch this video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeYlnhNMg3I&t

Lord God, it simply can’t be more exciting than to peer into the recesses of our history and see the Light of Christ shining through. His superiority over all of history is glorious, and all we can do is praise the immense wisdom which You have displayed in the pages of Scripture as You have revealed Him to a race of beings in desperate need of His coming! Amen.