"THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"
Chapter Seven
Resuming the discussion of Jesus as High Priest, the superiority of
Melchizedek to Abraham and Levi is first demonstrated (1-10). Reasons
are then given why a new priest after the order of Melchizedek was
necessary, which also required a change in the Law (11-19). Finally,
the greatness of Jesus as our new High Priest is explained (20-28).
POINTS TO PONDER
- The superiority of Melchizedek to Abraham and Levi
- The change in the priesthood and the annulment of the law
- The superiority of Jesus' priesthood to the Levitical priesthood
REVIEW QUESTIONS
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- What are the main points of this chapter?
- The greatness of Melchizedek He 7:1-10
- The need for a new priesthood He 7:11-19
- The greatness of Jesus' priesthood He 7:20-28
- Where in the Old Testament can we read about Melchizedek? (1)
- In Gen 14:18-20; also Ps 110:4
- What do Melchizedek and the Son of God appear to have in common? (3)
- Both appear to be without father and mother, without genealogy,
having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, remaining as
priests continually
- Why is Melchizedek greater than both Abraham and Levi? (4-10)
- Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek, and the lesser is blessed by
the greater
- Melchizedek received tithes from Abraham and from his descendant
Levi (so to speak)
- Why was there a need for a change in the priesthood? (11)
- The Law which established the Levitical priesthood made nothing
perfect
- What was required for there to be a change in the priesthood? (12,18)
- The law had to be changed, indeed, annulled
- What evidence is there that the Law has been changed? (13-17)
- The priest (Jesus) came from the tribe of Judah, not Levi as
required by the Law
- The priest (Jesus) has the power of endless life, as foretold in Ps
110:4
- List some of the qualities of Jesus' priesthood. (20-28)
- By the oath of the Lord
- Surety of a better covenant
- An unchangeable priesthood
- Able to save to the uttermost
- Always lives to make intercession
- Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners
- Offered up Himself once for all
- Has been perfected forever