The
writer of Hebrews shared how “Abraham”,
though the “patriarch”
of Israel, was submissive to “Melchisedec”
by giving “a tenth of the spoils”
which he gained by defeating the foes of Sodom and Gomorrah. This
showed “Melchisedec”
was “greater” than
“Abraham” and his progenitor “Levi” through
whom the “priesthood” was formed. In chapter seven and
verse six of Hebrews the writer shares more concerning “Melchisedec”
“whose descent is not counted from” “the priests of
Levi” where we read:
But he
whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham,
and
blessed him that had the promises.
The
verse begins, “But he whose descent is not counted from
them received tithes of Abraham,...”. The
writer began with the word, “But”
which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was just stated, “moreover,
nevertheless and nonetheless”, “he whose descent is”
or “whose family origin, lineage, pedigree and trace ancestry”
“not counted”
which means “was not reckoned, traced or derived” “from
them” which refers to
“Melchisedec not
being a descendant of Levi”
“received tithes”
which means “extracted, took or acquired a tenth” “of
Abraham” whose name means
“father of a multitude” and was “the son of Terah and the
founder of the Jewish nation”. Even though “Melchisedec”
did not descend from the tribe of Israel, he “received
tithes” from
“Abraham”.
The
verse continues, “...and blessed him that had the
promises.”. The writer added
the words, “and blessed him that had”
which means “Abraham praised, celebrated and invoked blessings upon
Melchisedec who
obtained and kept” “the promises”
or “the announcements, blessings and good messages”. “Abraham”
“praised and blessed” “Melchisedec”
who held the “promises” of God.
When
we consider these words in Hebrews, we understand how “Melchisedec”
did not descend from the tribe of “Levi” but rather a
superior rank of priesthood. “Abraham” gave “tithes”
to “Mechisedec” who “held” the “promises”,
and these “promises” were fulfilled in Jesus Christ who
appeared as “Savior” of the world. “Melchisedec”
was a “theophany” or old testament appearance of Jesus, and
“Abraham”, as we should be, was subservient to Him. May we
all recognize and honor this wonderful “great high priest”
who came after the order of “Melchisedec”.
Next
time the writer declares when Abraham “had
patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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