THE PRIESTHOOD OF MELCHISEDEC

Hebrews 7:27-28

Victor M. Eskew

 

IV.    THE ANTITHESIS BETWEEN THE PRIESTHOODS (Heb. 7:18-28)

 

A.  The Law versus The Better Hope (Heb. 7:18-19)

 

B.   With an Oath versus Without an Oath (Heb. 7:20-22)

 

C.   Many Priests (death) versus One Priest (ever liveth) (Heb. 7:23-25)

 

D.  Undefiled versus Infirmities (Heb. 7:26-28)

1.     Sinlessness of Jesus (Heb. 7:26)

2.    Sinfulness of the Levitical priests (Heb. 7:27)

 

Who needeth not daily, as those priests, to offer up sacrifices for his own sins, and then for the people’s:  for this he did once, when he offerd up himself.

 

a.    Sacrifices for personal sin versus no sacrifice for personal sin

1)     The high priest had to offer sacrifices for their own sins before they could offer up sacrifices for the sins of the people.

a)    Lev. 3:4; 9:7-8; 16:6, 11

 

If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the Lord for a sin offering.

 

b)    The prayer of the high priest:  “O Lord, I have sinned, and done wickedly, and gone astray before they face, I, and my house, and the sons of Aaron, the people of thy holiness.  I beseech thee, for thy name’s sake, blot out the sins, iniquities, and transgressions by which I have sinned, done wickedly, and gone astray before they face, I, and my house, and the sons of Aaron, the people of thy holiness; as it is written in the law of Moses thy servant,…:  “On that day shall he make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord!” (Clarke, e-sword).

2)     The high priest was a man like all other men.  He was subject to sinful passions to which he would yield.  Thus, he needed forgiveness just as did all of the people.

b.    Sacrifices daily versus a “once for all time” sacrifice

1)     Notice the contrast:  “who needeth not daily…for this he did once.”

2)     Definition:  once

a)    Strong (2178):  upon one occasion (only)

b)    Thayer:  once

c)    Wacaster:  “…’once, without need or possibility of repetition.’  It means ‘once, finally’” (p. 279).

3)     Comments

a)    Under the Levitical priesthood, neither in the nature of the offering, nor in the character of those who made it, was there any sufficient reason why it should cease to be offered, and it was therefore repeated day by day” (Barnes, e-sword).

b)    Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient in all ways.  It was only offered once.

c)    Jesus’ sacrifice is introduced here.  The inspired writer will come back to it more fully later in the epistle.

3.     Summary (Heb. 7:28)

 

For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

 

a.    The contrast

 

Law                                     Word of the oath

                                           Oath

Men                                     Son

Infirmity

                                           Consecrated for evermore

 

b.    Consecrated

1)     Defined

a.    Strong (3588):  to complete, accomplish, consummate

b.    Thayer:  to make perfect, complete

2)     Jesus’ priesthood is permanent, lasting, and unchangeable.