Consider This Great Man Hebrews 7:4

The Hebrew writers shared how “Melchisedec” was “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abides a priest continually.” In chapter seven and verse four of Hebrews the writer tells his readers to “consider how great this man was” where we read:

Now consider how great this man was,

unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

The verse begins, “Now consider how great this man was,...”. The writer began with the words, “Now consider” which means “moreover and also behold, perceive and look on”, “how great” or “how large and distinguished” “this man was” which means “Melchisedec was”. The readers of Hebrews were to “perceive” just how “distinguished” “Melchisedec” was in his next reasoning.

The verse goes on to say, “...unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.”. The writer continued, “unto whom” or “to Melchisedec” “even the patriarch” which means “the founder of a tribe, progenitor and father” “Abraham” whose name means “father of a multitude” and was “the son of Terah and the founder of the Jewish nation” “gave the tenth” or “bestowed, granted, furnished and delivered ten percent” “of the spoils” which refers to “the top of the heap, the first fruits or the best of the spoils or crops”.

When we meditate upon these words in Hebrews, we understand why the writer of Hebrews would have us “consider” “Melchisedec”. “Abraham”, the father of the nation of Israel, gave honor and homage to “Melchisedec” by the giving of “tithes”. This meant “Melchisedec” was greater than “Abraham” - “the lesser to the greater”. “Melchisedec” was a “theophany” or pre-appearance of Jesus Christ, and therefore “Father Abraham” was submissive to Him. The Bible declares in speaking of the “Judgment Seat of Christ”, “every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear to God” (Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:11). Everyone will be “submissive” to Jesus Christ, however the question is a timing factor - when? Shall be “bow our knees” and “confess with our tongues” now, or shall we “bow and confess” before His throne. Wisdom tell us, “bow and confess” now before it is too late to be saved.

Next time the writer shared about the other priests who “are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood”, 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.