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Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture plus an explanation with links 2016 November 24
Melchisedek and the Candelabra (1600-1620)
Unknown Italian Master (fl., 1600-1620)
Italian Renaissance Style
Museo dell'Opificio delle Pietre Dure, Florence, Italy
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art
Explanation: In Hebrews 7, the author notes that Abraham gave a tenth of his spoils of war to Melchisedec whose name means king of righteousness and king of peace. There is no record of the father, the mother, the descendants, the birth, or the death of Melchisedec. In this respect, he is like the Son of God, and he abides as a priest continually (1-3).
Melchisedec was so great that Abraham gave him a tenth of his spoils. By the command of the Law of Moses, a similar respect is due to the sons of Levi who receive tithes from their brethren. But Melchisedec, who was not descended from the sons of Levi, received tithes from Abraham; and he blessed Abraham, thus demonstrating that he was grater than Abraham, because the lesser is blessed by the greater. And, in a sense, Levi, who was then in the loins of Abraham, payed tithes to Melchisedec (4-10).
If perfection was by the Levitical priesthood, then there would have been no need for God to appoint someone (from the tribe of Judah) to be of the order of Melchisedec (11-14).
The priest from the order of Melchisedec has the power of an endless life, as shown by the fact that God told Christ that he is a priest forever. So the Levitical priesthood is dissolved, and a better hope has arrived (15-19).
The Levitical priests came into their office by hereditary right, not with an oath. But the Lord swore to Christ that he would be a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. Therefore, Jesus is the surety of a better testament (20-22).
The priests of the Levitical priesthood could not continue because they died. But Jesus never dies. He continues forever. Therefore he has an unchangeable priesthood. So he is able to save those who come to God through him because he ever lives to make intercession for them (23-25).
It is fitting that we have such a high priest as Christ who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need to offer daily sacrifices, because he offered himself. The priests who were appointed by the law are weak; but Christ has been made perfect forever (26-28). ]
[Sermons: Edward Donnelly. Stuart Olyott. Eric Alexander. William Still. Various. ]
[Illustration: Today's image depicts a mingling of elements of the Levitical priesthood and the priesthood of Melchisedec. Likewise, today's chapter discusses the priesthoods of the Levites and of Melchisedec. ]
RESOURCES
[THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Hebrews 7: Genesis 14:18; Psalm 110:4. ]
[ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]
[ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]
[ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
[ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Micha'el Ben David. Sons of Korah. Fernando Ortega. Janet Isaac Morrison. Music of the Bible Revealed - Suzanne Haik-Vantoura. Dr. David Erb. Gregorian Chants. ]
*** For Additional word studies use one of the Greek Interlinear Bibles below. ***
Book Outline:
1. The Doctrine of Christ & its Implications (Hebrews 1:1 - Hebrews 10:39) - 60 A.D. Italy
2. The Exhortations to Believe Christ and to Obey Him (Hebrews 11:1 - Hebrews 13:25) - 60 A.D. Italy
Hebrews 7
1. The Doctrine of Christ & its Implications (Hebrews 1:1 - Hebrews 10:39) - 60 A.D. Italy
1 For this Melchisedec, 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 [into perpetuity].
4 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 [descent is counted not] 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.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
11 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 Melchisedec, and 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 Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec 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 [into the eons] after the order of Melchisedec.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever [into the eons] after the order of Melchisedec:)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because he continueth ever [into the eons], hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
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.
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore [into the eons].
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