Thus, the High Priest after the order of Melchisedec is brought in , in connection with their hope, and we shall see from the time in the first few verses of this Hebrews why this is. The apostle now resumes his discourse about this High Priest, having interrupted it in Hebrews 5 owing to the Hebrews’ dullness of apprehension. This Melchisedec, meaning Jesus, he says (ver 3) abideth a Priest continually, and then he refers to the type of Melchisedec in Genesis. He was King of Salem, Priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham after the slaughter of the kings and blessed him. To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being by interpretation king of peace, and king of righteousness. Without father or mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God. What a striking type of Jesus the Son of God! a king-priest coming to bless Abraham after the slaughter of the kings (see Gen. 14) This doubtless refers to the deliverance of Israel in the latter day from the confederacy of nations that shall come against them. But at this point the king-priest appears and blesses Abraham. We see thus that this priesthood connects itself with the hope of Israel, and its character is blessing. Melchisedec did not intercede for Abraham, He blessed him. So will Jesus the remnant of Israel when He returns. In the meantime He sits on His Father’s right hand until all His enemies are put under His feet. (Ps. 110) He will then return and be the manifested King of Righteousness, and of Peace.
Now this Melchisedec was greater than Abraham himself, seeing the latter gave him tithes; therefore greater in office than the Levitical priesthood, who received tithes of the people according to the law, for they came out of the loins of Abraham; whilst he whose pedigree is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises; and without doubt the lesser is blessed of the greater. In another thing, too, he was greater; here; men who died (that is, the Levitical priesthood) received tithes; but three he (Melchisedec) received them of whom it is witnessed that he liveth; as it might be said Levi paid tithes in Abraham, for he was yet in his father’s loins when Melchisedec met him. Therefore in person and office he was superior to the Levitical priesthood. Besides, if perfection came by that priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need for another priest to arise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? The apostle had already pressed Psalm 110 to this effect (see Eph. 5:6,106Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:6)
10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. (Ephesians 5:10)), and he keeps this in mind in this chapter. There the blessed Lord is seen in ascension glory; Jehovah saying to Him, Sit Thou on My right hand until I make Thy foes Thy footstool. He should have the rule in the latter day, and the Jewish people should be willing in that day of His power. In the meantime He was waiting, made by the Lord’s oath an High Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec, but not exercising that office till the kings are destroyed. Then He would come forth for the blessing of His people.
It was clear, then according to this Psalm that the priesthood was to be changed, and that a royal priest after the order of Melchisedec was to take the place of the sons of Aaron. But if the priesthood was changed, there must be a change also in the law. Besides, He of whom these things were spoken belonged to another tribe, of whom no man gave attendance at the alter. But the Lord whom these Hebrews confessed sprung from the tribe of Judah of which tribe Moses spake nothing as concerning priesthood. Therefore, it was still more evident not only from the word which told of the coming of this Priest, but from the fulfilment of that word in the coming of the Lord Himself that after the similitude of Melchisedec there was to arise another priest, not made after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life, as the Word said, Thou art a Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. Thus, the Lord springing out of the tribe of Judah of which the law spake nothing as concerning Priesthood, showed clearly that He was made priest not by the law, whilst His resurrection proved that it was after the power of an endless life according to the prophecy of Psalm 110.
There is verily then here a disannulling of the commandment going before, owing to the weakness and unprofitableness of it; for the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did, namely the resurrection of the Great High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, who was soon coming out again to bless His people, by which hope we draw near to God. With the Melchisedec priesthood there is the power of an endless life, and a better hope, a sure and certain hope of eternal blessing. Blessed assurance for us, and which the apostle would have these Hebrew Christians understand. And inasmuch as not without an oath (the law made priests by an oath) was He made Priest, for the Lord sware and will not repent (see Ps. 100:4), by so much was Jesus made surety of a better testament. This is all looking forward to the final blessing, for the new covenant will be made with Israel in the latter day, but Jesus has in the meantime entered on His office on High, and so being Surety, a sure guarantee that the New Testament blessings will be fulfilled on His return. Another advantage was this; the Levitical priesthood were many priests, for by reason of death they could not continue, but this Man because He lives ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood, therefore He is able to save to the end, them that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.
Thus, in every way was this priesthood superior to that under the law. It was made after the power of an endless life; it was made perfect by bringing in a better hope. It was established by oath, and was unchangeable, in contrast to the priests under the law, who needed a carnal commandment for their appointment, made nothing perfect, were established without oath, and were continually changing, owing to death, and needed therefore a continual line of succession. Alas! alas! alas! is not Christendom fast going back to this last state of things; with its earthly priesthood established again by carnal commandment, whereas the people who draw near to God through them are never made perfect? They are in continual fear and dread. Do we not hear over and over again of a succession of priests direct from the apostles, as almost necessary for the Church, and who pray, are these poor apostolic successors? Why, poor worms that die! Whereas there a the right hand of God sits the glorious Melchisedec Priest by whom we draw near to God, and ever living to make intercession. How can anyone fail who comes to God by Him? Yes, dear believer, such an High Priest becomes us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens, who needs not as these earthly priests to offer sacrifices on earthly alters, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people, for these He did once when He offered Himself. For the Law makes priests who have infirmity, but the Word of the oath, going back to an earthly priesthood, which made nothing perfect, and depended on poor failing men which had infirmity to keep it up. But if they did that they rejected the Son who was consecrated priest for ever. It was giving up the certainty of eternal life, the better hope, and all the New Testament blessings.