In the video by Refuge Calvary Chapel titled “Hebrews 7,” the speaker, Caleb Warwick, delves into Hebrews chapter 7 as well as other passages like Genesis 14 and Psalm 110. The main focus is on the idea that Jesus is from the order of Melkisedek and is greater than the Levitical priesthood. The Levitical priesthood required constant sacrifices for atonement, but Jesus’ sacrifice is once and for all. Through Jesus, we can boldly approach God and have a deeper relationship with Him. This article provides a summary and highlights key points discussed in the video.
Caleb Warwick starts off the teaching by mentioning that they will be studying Hebrews chapter 7 and briefly touching on chapter 6. He encourages listeners to take notes and follow along as he refers to other passages like Genesis 14 and Psalm 110. Throughout the teaching, Caleb emphasizes that Jesus is superior to the Levitical priesthood and highlights the flaws of the old system. He also mentions how important it is to dive deep into the Word and spend time with God in order to better understand the concepts being discussed.
Hebrews 7
Overview
Hebrews 7 is a chapter in the Bible that explores the significance of Jesus being from the order of Melchizedek and how he is greater than the Levitical priesthood. The chapter highlights the constant sacrifices required by the Levitical priesthood for the atonement of sins, and contrasts it with Jesus’ sacrifice, which is once and for all. It emphasizes that Jesus is a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek, and that through him, believers can boldly approach God and have a deeper relationship with Him. The chapter also addresses the imperfection of the Levitical priesthood and concludes with the understanding that Jesus is able to save us completely and intercedes for us as our high priest forever.
Key Points
- Jesus is from the order of Melchizedek, a significant and mysterious figure mentioned in Genesis 14.
- Jesus is greater than the Levitical priesthood because he is the perfect high priest.
- The Levitical priesthood required constant sacrifices for the atonement of sins, while Jesus’ sacrifice is once and for all.
- Jesus’ sacrifice brings a better hope and enables believers to have a deeper relationship with God.
- The Levitical priesthood had its limitations, but Jesus is a priest forever and is able to save us completely.
- Through Jesus, believers can boldly approach God and can have confidence in their salvation.
Genesis 14
Background
To understand the significance of Hebrews 7, it is important to explore the background of Genesis 14. In Genesis 14, there is a brief mention of a figure named Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of the most high God. This encounter occurs when Abraham is returning from a victory in battle against other kings. Melchizedek blesses Abraham and receives a tenth of all the spoils.
Connection to Hebrews 7
Hebrews 7 builds upon this encounter in Genesis 14 and reflects on the significance of Melchizedek. The chapter points out that Melchizedek is a figure without a recorded genealogy, without a beginning of days or end of life, making him resemble the Son of God. This resemblance hints at the fact that Melchizedek foreshadows Jesus, who is the ultimate high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. The connection between Melchizedek and Jesus further establishes Jesus’ superiority over the Levitical priesthood.
Psalm 110
Exposition
Psalm 110 is another passage of Scripture that is referenced in Hebrews 7. In this psalm, David speaks of a future Messiah who will reign as both a king and a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. This psalm emphasizes the eternal nature of this Messianic figure and further highlights the importance of the order of Melchizedek.
Relevance to Hebrews 7
The reference to Psalm 110 in Hebrews 7 supports the overarching theme of Jesus being a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. It establishes the continuity and eternal nature of Jesus’ priesthood, contrasting it with the temporary and imperfect nature of the Levitical priesthood.
Jesus from the Order of Melchizedek
Hebrews 7 introduces the concept that Jesus is from the order of Melchizedek, an order that predates and surpasses the Levitical priesthood. This is a significant claim because the Levitical priesthood was established by God through Moses in the Old Testament as a means of atonement for sins. However, the Levitical priesthood was only temporary and required constant sacrifices to maintain its efficacy.
The order of Melchizedek, on the other hand, represents an eternal and superior priesthood. Melchizedek, as mentioned in Genesis 14, is depicted as a king and priest who blessed Abraham and received a tenth of all his spoils. This encounter serves as a foreshadowing of Jesus, who later comes as the ultimate high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
By being from the order of Melchizedek, Jesus surpasses the Levitical priesthood and establishes a new and superior way for believers to approach God. This idea is further developed in the following sections of Hebrews 7.
Greater Than the Levitical Priesthood
Hebrews 7 provides a comparison between Jesus and the Levitical priesthood, emphasizing the superiority of Jesus. The Levitical priesthood was limited in its ability to provide permanent atonement for sins, as it required constant sacrifices. These sacrifices had to be repeated over and over again because they were not sufficient to cleanse individuals of their sins completely.
Jesus, however, represents a greater priesthood that is able to save completely. His sacrifice on the cross, once and for all, provides permanent atonement for sins and enables believers to have a lasting relationship with God. This is in stark contrast to the Levitical priesthood, which could not offer true and lasting forgiveness.
The chapter highlights the importance of Jesus’ priesthood from the order of Melchizedek as it demonstrates his superiority over the Levitical priesthood. Through Jesus, believers can experience a deeper and more meaningful connection with God, knowing that their sins are completely forgiven.
Constant Sacrifices vs. Jesus’ Sacrifice
One of the key distinctions between the Levitical priesthood and Jesus’ priesthood from the order of Melchizedek is the nature of the sacrifices required. The Levitical priesthood required constant sacrifices for the atonement of sins. This meant that individuals had to bring their offerings to the priests repeatedly throughout their lives, as no single sacrifice was able to cleanse them permanently.
In contrast, Jesus’ sacrifice is described as once and for all. Through his death on the cross, Jesus provided a perfect and complete sacrifice that forever secured forgiveness and salvation for all who believe in him. His sacrifice fulfilled the requirements of the law and rendered the need for any further sacrifices obsolete.
This distinction is of utmost importance because it highlights the sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice. Believers no longer need to rely on their own efforts or continuous sacrifices to earn or maintain their salvation. Instead, they can rest in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, knowing that his sacrifice covers all their sins past, present, and future.
Jesus: A Priest Forever
Hebrews 7 underscores the eternal nature of Jesus’ high priesthood. It proclaims that Jesus is a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek. This is significant because the Levitical priesthood was limited by time and eventually came to an end.
By being a priest forever, Jesus is able to intercede on behalf of believers continuously. His priesthood is not temporary or restricted by the constraints of earthly time. This means that believers can always approach God through Jesus and find grace and help in their time of need.
The eternal priesthood of Jesus ensures the ongoing accessibility and availability of God’s forgiveness and salvation. It provides believers with the assurance that Jesus is always present to intercede and mediate between them and God, offering them comfort, guidance, and redemption.
Boldly Approaching God Through Jesus
A key theme in Hebrews 7 is the idea that through Jesus, believers can boldly approach God. The chapter highlights the limitations of the Levitical priesthood, which prevented direct access to God’s presence. The high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, representing God’s presence, only once a year on the Day of Atonement.
However, Jesus, as the ultimate high priest from the order of Melchizedek, has opened the way for believers to approach God boldly and confidently at any time. His sacrifice has removed the barriers that once separated people from God. Through Jesus, believers have direct access to God’s throne of grace and can find mercy and help in their time of need.
This privilege of bold access to God is not to be taken lightly. It is a result of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus and the eternal priesthood that he holds. Believers are encouraged to approach God with confidence, knowing that they are welcomed and accepted because of what Jesus has done for them.
The Imperfection of the Levitical Priesthood
Throughout Hebrews 7, the imperfection of the Levitical priesthood is highlighted. The Levitical priests were human, subject to weaknesses and limitations. They needed to offer sacrifices for their own sins before they could intercede on behalf of the people.
The Levitical priesthood was also temporary in nature, requiring constant sacrifices to maintain its efficacy. The repetition of these sacrifices demonstrated their insufficiency in providing lasting forgiveness for sins. The Levitical priesthood was a reminder of the ongoing need for atonement and the inability of the sacrifices to bring true and permanent redemption.
The imperfection of the Levitical priesthood serves to contrast the superiority of Jesus’ priesthood from the order of Melchizedek. Jesus, as the perfect and sinless high priest, does not need to offer sacrifices for his own sins because he is without sin. This allows him to intercede for believers completely and effectively, providing them with the forgiveness and salvation they need.
Conclusion
Hebrews 7 explores the significance of Jesus’ priesthood from the order of Melchizedek and how it surpasses the Levitical priesthood. The chapter emphasizes that Jesus is a priest forever, providing believers with a direct and eternal connection to God. His sacrifice on the cross is described as once and for all, offering complete and permanent atonement for sins.
Through Jesus, believers can approach God boldly and confidently, knowing that their sins are forgiven and their relationship with Him is secure. The Levitical priesthood, with its constant sacrifices and limitations, is contrasted with the eternal and perfect priesthood of Jesus.
Hebrews 7 reminds believers of the sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice and encourages them to rest in His finished work. It assures them that Jesus is always present to intercede for them and ensures their access to God’s grace and mercy. The chapter highlights the better hope and deeper relationship with God that Jesus’ priesthood from the order of Melchizedek brings, establishing him as the ultimate high priest and savior.