Hebrews studies series

Hebrews 7:1-10

PICTURE-PERFECT PRIESTHOOD, Part I

LESSON #13 in Hebrews – A complete study

s I shared an old picture of me with you.

s What did the old picture teach you about me when I was younger?

s Do you really know what I was like when I was 9 ½ years old?

s How does the picture help or not help?

s What is shuttle diplomacy?

s God had diplomats who brought God and man together. They were called priests. They interceded before God for man through sacrifices and prayers.

s The priests In Israel were of the Tribe of Levi and the Family of Aaron. Hence they are called Levitical priests.

s Hebrews 6:20 mentions another order of priests that Jesus belonged to. It is the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek is actually a picture or a type of Christ.

s Who was Melchizedek?

Genesis 14:18-20 - 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.

Hebrews 7 shows the perfect priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ. This picture centers around the Old Testament Priest, Melchizedek, the Old Testament picture of our Lord Jesus as the great high priest.

POSITION – Vss. 1-2

ü According to this passage, how was Melchizedek different from other priests?

ü How did Levitical priests become priests?

ü How did Melchizedek become a priest?

ü How did Jesus become a priest?

Psalm 110:4 - The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

ü How does Melchizedek picture Jesus in these verses?

Psalm 85:10 - Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

ü What two things show that Melchizedek was superior to Abraham?

PERPETUITY – Vs. 3

· Do you think Melchizedek had parents? Why or why not?

· Do you think Melchizedek was a literal person? Why or why not?

· How is Jesus like Melchizedek in this verse? Why is this important to those of us who look to Jesus as our Great High Priest and as our Savior?

Hebrews 7:24-25

PRIORITY – Vss. 4-10

A. Over Abraham – Vss. 4-7

F Vs. 4 – What was Abraham indicating when he paid tithes to Melchizedek?

F What do verses 5-6 tell us about the significance of Abraham paying tithes to Melchizedek?

F According to verses 6-7, what does Melchizedek blessing Abraham signify?

B. Over Levi – Vss. 8-10

P According to verse 8, how are Melchizedek and Jesus superior to Levi?

P How did Levi pay tithes in Abraham? What is the significance of that?

P Why do you think the author of Hebrews belabored the fact that Jesus, being a priest under the order of Melchizedek is superior to the Levitical priests?

P Why could Jesus never have been a Levitical priest?

P How is the superiority of Jesus as a priest a comfort to you?