In Old Testament Israel, the tribe of Judah was the kingly tribe. It was from Judah that David, the quintessential Israelite king sprang. It was to David's descendents that the throne of Israel was promised forever (2 Sam 7:12–16). In that sense, the Northern Kingdom (the ten tribes of Israel whose capital was Samaria) never enjoyed a legitimate kingship.
On the other hand, the tribe of Levi was the priestly tribe, with the priesthood falling to Aaron and his sons (Num 3:5–10). God set up a division between the kingship and the priesthood, one that Saul violated (1 Sam 13:8–14). The Old Testament Law made no allowance for a king of Israel to minister as a priest.
In light of this, the writer of Hebrews, describing the high priestly work of Jesus Christ, goes back to a seemingly obscure narrative about the patriarch Abraham and a shadowy priest named Melchizedek. In Hebrews 5–7, the writer refers repeatedly to the incident of Abraham paying tithes to Melchizedek (cf. Gen 14:17–24), as well as quoting another line about Melchizedek from the Psalms three times (Ps 110:4).
The writer of Hebrews compares Jesus Christ and his high priestly ministry to the ministry of Melchizedek, rather than that of Aaron, the high priest of Israel. I think the reasons are two-fold.
First, and essential to the main message of the book of Hebrews, faith in Christ is superior to Judaism. In this case, the priesthood of Melchizedek was superior to the priesthood of Aaron, since Levi's great-grandfather (Abraham) paid tithes to and was blessed by Melchizedek. This is just one more argument for the superiority of faith in Jesus Christ over Judaism. Belief in Jesus Christ is setting aside the Mosaic Law, not simply adding to it (Heb 7:18–19). The writer continues to highlight in bold language the futility (and eternal danger) of turning back from faith in Jesus Christ to the Jewish religion of the Old Testament.
Second, this Melchizedek was both a king and the priest of God Most High (Gen 14:18). The writer of Hebrews makes mention of the fact that Melchizedek was the "king of righteousness" (the meaning of his name) and the "king of peace," making a play on the word "Salem" (Heb 7:2). This opens the way for Jesus, a descendant of David and part of the tribe of Judah, to minister as an eternal priest (Heb 7:14). Because of the resurrection and endless life of Jesus Christ, he is the ultimate high priest. In the words of the writer of Hebrews, "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them" (Heb 7:25).
On the other hand, the tribe of Levi was the priestly tribe, with the priesthood falling to Aaron and his sons (Num 3:5–10). God set up a division between the kingship and the priesthood, one that Saul violated (1 Sam 13:8–14). The Old Testament Law made no allowance for a king of Israel to minister as a priest.
In light of this, the writer of Hebrews, describing the high priestly work of Jesus Christ, goes back to a seemingly obscure narrative about the patriarch Abraham and a shadowy priest named Melchizedek. In Hebrews 5–7, the writer refers repeatedly to the incident of Abraham paying tithes to Melchizedek (cf. Gen 14:17–24), as well as quoting another line about Melchizedek from the Psalms three times (Ps 110:4).
The writer of Hebrews compares Jesus Christ and his high priestly ministry to the ministry of Melchizedek, rather than that of Aaron, the high priest of Israel. I think the reasons are two-fold.
First, and essential to the main message of the book of Hebrews, faith in Christ is superior to Judaism. In this case, the priesthood of Melchizedek was superior to the priesthood of Aaron, since Levi's great-grandfather (Abraham) paid tithes to and was blessed by Melchizedek. This is just one more argument for the superiority of faith in Jesus Christ over Judaism. Belief in Jesus Christ is setting aside the Mosaic Law, not simply adding to it (Heb 7:18–19). The writer continues to highlight in bold language the futility (and eternal danger) of turning back from faith in Jesus Christ to the Jewish religion of the Old Testament.
Second, this Melchizedek was both a king and the priest of God Most High (Gen 14:18). The writer of Hebrews makes mention of the fact that Melchizedek was the "king of righteousness" (the meaning of his name) and the "king of peace," making a play on the word "Salem" (Heb 7:2). This opens the way for Jesus, a descendant of David and part of the tribe of Judah, to minister as an eternal priest (Heb 7:14). Because of the resurrection and endless life of Jesus Christ, he is the ultimate high priest. In the words of the writer of Hebrews, "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them" (Heb 7:25).
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