This morning we are going to start a new Bible Study Series of teachings, which I’ve entitled The Code of the Priest. Every once in a while I like to study and dig out knew information in the Bible that helps us to receive a bigger picture of the God we serve and how He works in our lives. This series is designed to strengthen your knowledge and understand of God’s Word and how He interacts with His children. This morning we are going to start laying some of the groundwork for this study that will take us from Abraham in the book of Genesis to Jesus’ walk on this earth in the Gospels to our future positions in eternity as seen in the book of Revelation. I hope you enjoy this series as much as I did preparing for it.
You will also notice that in the insert that I’ve placed in the bulletins that have the scripture references on it, we are going to be looking at a lot of scripture. I would encourage you to take the time to read these references for yourself at home and to study them and familiarize yourself with them so that you will have a deeper understanding of what we are going to be studying in the next few weeks. You may even want to read them in the New International Version of the Bible for clearer and simpler understanding, especially the entire seventh chapter of Hebrews. Now having said that let’s get into our study.
Many Christians who are the least bit familiar with the Bible know about the priesthood of Aaron. At the time of the nation of Israel’s Exodus from Egypt and the setting up of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, God provided a way for His people to come to Him and be forgiven of sins through offerings by the priests. The priests, who were descendants of Moses’ brother Aaron and members of the tribe of Levi, were chosen to act as go-betweens for the people as they approached God on their behalf.
But how many of you are aware that the Bible talks about another priesthood? It’s a rather mysterious and sometimes misunderstood priesthood found first in the book of Genesis, mentioned prophetically in the book of Psalm, and finally explained by the author of the book of Hebrews. It is the Melchizedek priesthood.
Let’s take a look in the book of Genesis and the 14th chapter where the name Melchizedek is first introduced. Reading from Genesis 14:18-20 (KJV), “ And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. [19] And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of Heaven and earth: [20] And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”
Genesis 14 is a chapter from the family history of the origins of Israel. It tells the story of how Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was swept up into the military doings of the ancient world and of how Abraham himself played a role in that history.
If you remember the story, Lot and Abraham parted company because their households and herds were getting too large to remain combined. Uncle Abraham gave Lot free reign to choose whichever part of the land he wished, and Lot chose the Valley of Siddum, known today as the Dead Sea. But it was not dead in that day. Rather, it was a lush, fertile valley, reminiscent of the Garden of Eden. Lot settled in a city located in that valley called Sodom. Abraham turned and went in the opposite direction.
Then a day came when a messenger arrived at the tent of Abraham with terrible news. A coalition of kings from the east had invaded and taken Sodom and enslaved all of its inhabitants – including Lot and his family. Abraham immediately organized a rescue party. In a brazen display of courage and faith, he catches up with the raiders and attacks them by night, putting them to route and recovering not only his nephew, but all the wealth and all the citizens of Sodom.
However, the most unusual part of this tale took place on the return journey. It was here that Abraham was met by a new figure; a mysterious priest-king known as Melchizedek. The Scriptures tell us that they met, that Melchizedek brought bread and wine and a blessing, and that Abraham rewarded him with a tenth of all. And that is it, the end of the story. Melchizedek is not mentioned again in the rest of Genesis nor anywhere in any of the historical books of the Old Testament.
So, just who is this mysterious figure and what is so important about him that God included this short story about him in His Holy Word to us?
I. Introducing Melchizedek
Well, the best biblical explanation we can find in located in the New Testament in the 7th chapter of the book of Hebrews. This entire chapter covers the description of the Melchizedek priesthood and gives us the best view of just who this figure was and what he represented.
So let’s begin by reading the first three verses of chapter 7: “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him: [2] To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; [3] Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.”
We don’t know a lot about Melchizedek. He emerges from the pages of antiquity to have his brief encounter with Abraham, he pronounces a blessing, accepts Abraham’s gifts, and then once again disappears into the pages of history. We don’t know much about him, but there are a few things we do know:
A. His Name
First, we know his name, and in the Bible a name can hold great meaning. When we name our children, it is often only because we like the sound of it. But names in the ancient world were full of meaning, especially among the Jews. Names were given to tell something about the character of the person. This is why you occasionally see a person whose name is changed in Scripture. This was the case with Abraham. His name was originally Abram, which meant “father of high places.” But God changed it later to Abraham, which meant “father of a multitude.”
The name Melchizedek is actually a compound name. It is made up of two Hebrew words that have been joined together. “Melek” is the Hebrew word for “king.” “Zadok” means “righteousness.” So, as the author of Hebrews tells us in the second verse, Melchizedek is the king of righteousness.
B. His Domain
The second thing we know about him is his domain, or where he reigned. Both Genesis and Hebrews tell us that Melchizedek was the King of Salem.
Salem is believed to be one of the ancient names for the city of Jerusalem. Before the city became the capital of Israel, it belonged to a people known as the Jebusites. Their city was alternately known as “Jebus” and “Salem.” Its name today reflects a composite of those two names: Jebus+Salem = Jerusalem.
But remember, names have meaning. And the meaning of the word Salem is “peace.” It is a derivative of the word many Jewish speaking people use as a greeting, “Shalom,” which also means “peace.” So Melchizedek is the King of Salem, ancient Jerusalem, or according to the meaning of his name, he is the King of peace.
C. His Genealogy
And a third thing we know about this mysterious figure is his genealogy. Hebrews 7:3 tells us that he is without father, without mother, without descent.
The kingship of Israel could only trace their roots back to David. The priesthood of Israel could only trace their roots back to Aaron and the tribe of Levi. But Melchizedek was both a king and a priest who resided in Jerusalem, the city of God, long before the time of either David or Aaron. And he has no genealogy.
He appears from obscurity out of the pages of history. We know nothing of his origins and we know nothing of his death. So does this mean that the man Abraham met was not born and did not die? And if so, then what does that tell us about him?
Well, this passage has been a source of controversy probably ever since it was written. But from looking at just these three things that the Bible tells us about Melchizedek, I personally believe that only Jesus Christ himself could fulfill this description. So, I have a tendency to believe that the man that met Abraham on the way home from war, was actually the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. After all there are other examples of the Son of God appearing to man in the Old Testament. For example, He made an appearance in the fiery furnace in the book of Daniel when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow before the statue of King Nebuchadnezzar.
Jesus is the only one who can claim to have no genealogy in the fact that He existed before mankind was created, and He has no end, because He overcame death and the grave. In John 8:56-58 Jesus speaking to the Jews said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” [57] Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” [58] Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
Only Jesus openly claimed to have been present before Abraham. Only He can be the one without beginning of days or end of life. Only He has the power to have an endless life.
D. The Tithe, the Blessing and the Communion
Finally, we know of three other things about Melchizedek that point to Him as being Christ. In the first passage that we read in Genesis it tells us that he went out of Salem and offered bread and wine to Abraham. Here, 2000 years before the man, Jesus walked on the earth, Melchizedek, the king of righteousness and the king of peace offers Abraham and his seed communion. This shows us that Jesus’ death on the cross was planned from the very beginning, before Israel even became a nation, before the Aaronic priesthood was established, and before David ever sat on the throne.
We also see that Melchizedek received a tithe from Abraham and then blessed him. Hebrews 7:4-7 says, “Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. [5] And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham. [6] But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. [7] And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.”
The Aaronic priesthood received tithes from the children of Abraham because it was required of them in the law. But Melchizedek who is not of the priesthood of Aaron, received tithes from the father through whom all the nations of the world would be blessed, Abraham. It also tells us that the greater (Melchizedek) blessed the lesser (Abraham). So if God promised that in Abraham, all nations would be blessed, how could Melchizedek be greater than Abraham unless he was more than just a human priest? Who in Biblical history was greater than Abraham other than Jesus Christ himself?
So what does all this mean? What’s so important about knowing that Melchizedek was a priest of the most high God and gave communion to Abraham and received tithes from him?
II. The Melchizedek Priesthood
It’s important for us to know this because the Bible tells us that God created a new priesthood named after this man. And His purpose for creating this new priesthood was to replace the old Aaronic or Levitical one. The Old Testament Scriptures even promised a future and perfect priesthood in Psalm 110:4. “The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou (Christ) art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
A. Levitical Priesthood Temporary
Let’s look again at Hebrews 7: 11-17, “If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek, an not be called after the order of Aaron? [12] For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. [13] For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. [14] For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. [15] And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest, [16] Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. [17] For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
The Levitical priesthood was always meant to be temporary. It did not bring perfection or completeness. The priests had no moral or spiritual qualifications to pass in order to become priests. That is evident when you look at some of those who served as priests. God struck dead two of the sons of Aaron for using improper methods of worship, and He condemned the immoral acts of the sons of Eli who were turning the Tabernacle into a brothel. The only requirement for the Aaronic priesthood was that the priest must be able to trace his ancestry back to Aaron. It was basically passed from father to son throughout the generations.
But the Melchizedek priesthood is different. Not anyone can make a claim to be a priest after this order. The requirement for belonging to it can be found at the end of verse 16, it says that in order to belong one must have the power of an endless life.
Another requirement is that just like the original Melchizedek of Genesis one must be both a king and a priest. This is unique, because in the Old Testament you could be a prophet, a priest, or a king, but never more than one of those. Yet Melchizedek was. And so was Jesus Christ, and believe it or not, so will we. Revelation 1:6, “ And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen.” And Revelation 5:10 says, “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
B. Levitical Priesthood Corrupt
You see, God knew that the original priesthood of Aaron would not last. It was based on a law that was weak and imperfect and could not save anyone, because no one could keep the law perfectly. God knew that He would have to provide another way for salvation and interaction with His children and so He determined to create a new and better priesthood.
By the time Christ was born physically into this world the Roman Empire was ruling the world including Israel and the Holy Land. The priesthood at the Temple in Jerusalem had over time become increasingly corrupt. They were disobedient to God.
For generations the priesthood had been passed down from father to son. But the Roman Empire at this time was actually appointing the men that they wanted to be priests instead of allowing the hereditary line to continue. Because of this, we read in the book of Malachi (which was written 400 years before Christ’s birth) what was really going on at the Temple.
Malachi 1:6,7,8,13, “A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honor? And if I be a master, where is my fear? Saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? [7] Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible. [8] And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? Saith the Lord of hosts. [13] Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! And ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? Saith the Lord.”
The priests no longer revered and honored God as they should. They had no fear of Him and disobeyed His commandments. They were offering polluted bread at His table and sick and lame animals for offering. They were even complaining about the fact that serving the Lord was wearisome and tiring! Then Rome steps in and places men in the priestly positions for purely political reasons. Is it any wonder God had had enough?
In Malachi 3:1 we see what God decided to do about this travesty of the priesthood. “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.”
God said in essence, “I’m going to send someone to straighten out this mess you’ve created. I’m going to change the priesthood. I’ll get a faithful priest. One who is able to make intercession and redeem my people so we won’t have to do these animal sacrifices anymore. A priest where people will be able to have access to My throne, and they won’t have to go into Jerusalem and into a temple to speak to me. I’m going to change the Old Covenant priesthood into a New Covenant priesthood, and there’s going to be one loyal priest to me – the Son of the living God.”
C. Six Changes
And when this change or transfer from one priesthood to the other and one covenant to the other takes place there were going to be six changes that occur.
1. The Temple would be changed. – God would no longer dwell in a building made with human hands, but our bodies would become living temples of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 3:16, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
2. The sacrifices would change. – No longer would you offer the blood of animals on the altar for atonement from sin, but one man, Christ would suffer and be the sacrifice once and for all. Hebrews 7:27, “Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once. When he offered up himself.”
3. The offerings would change. – Instead of bringing animals we now bring tithes, praise, finances, worship, time, and service to God. 1 Cor. 16:2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him…”
4. Access to God would change. – God’s dwelling place on earth for the longest time was the Holy of Holies inside the Temple, and only the High Priest had access to that room and then only once a year. God said, NO MORE. Now everyone will have free access to me without the need of a priest or the restriction of a certain day, because they who call upon Me shall be as priests. Revelation 1:6, “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father…”
5. Prayers would change. – In the Old Testament prayers were often said in the name of the covenant person. For example in Ex. 32:13 they started the prayer by saying remember Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, thy servants. In the New Testament prayers would be said in the name of Jesus, the very Son of God. In John 15:16 Jesus said, “…that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
6. Priesthood would change. – From the Aaronic or Levitical to the Melchizedek priesthood.
We are going to stop there for today, since we have our communion service this morning. But we are just getting started. Now that we have laid the groundwork for our study, next week we are really going to dig in and discover some knew and exciting things in God’s Word. Will see when the transfer of the priesthood took place, who was involved, and look at some familiar Biblical events in a new light. I hope you can join us again next week when we continue our study on The Code of the Priest.
