Hebrews 6:13-20
God Keeps His Promise
When God made his promise to Abraham, God gave his word. There was no one greater than himself to promise by. So he promised by making an appeal to himself. He said, “I will certainly bless you. I will give you many children.” (Genesis 22:17) Abraham was patient while he waited. Then he received what God promised him.
People promise things by someone greater than themselves. Giving your word makes a promise certain. It puts an end to all arguing. So God gave his word when he made his promise. He wanted to make it very clear that his purpose does not change. He wanted those who would receive what was promised to know this. When God made his promise, he gave his word. He did this so we would have good reason not to give up. Instead, we have run to take hold of the hope set before us. This hope is set before us in God’s promise. So God made his promise and gave his word. These two things can’t change. He couldn’t lie about them. Our hope is certain. It is something for the soul to hold on to. It is strong and secure. It goes all the way into the Most Holy Room behind the curtain. That is where Jesus has gone. He went there to open the way ahead of us. He has become a high priest forever, just like Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:1-10
Melchizedek the Priest
Melchizedek was the king of Salem. He was the priest of God Most High. He met Abraham, who was returning from winning a battle over some kings. Melchizedek blessed him. Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of what is right.” Also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Melchizedek has no father or mother. He has no family line. His days have no beginning. His life has no end. He remains a priest forever. In this way, he is like the Son of God.
Think how great Melchizedek was! Even our father Abraham gave him a tenth of what he had captured. Now the law lays down a rule for the sons of Levi who become priests. They must collect a tenth from the people. They must collect it from the other Israelites. They must do this, even though all of them belong to the family line of Abraham. Melchizedek did not trace his family line from Levi. But he collected a tenth from Abraham. Melchizedek blessed the one who had received the promises. Without a doubt, the more important person blesses the less important one. In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die. But in the other case, it is collected by the one who is said to be living. Levi collects the tenth. But we might say that Levi paid the tenth through Abraham. That’s because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in Abraham’s body.
