THE ORDER OF MELCHISEDEC
Wednesday – October 4, 2017
Meet Bristol, a very nice cat, who our daughter thought was just what we needed as she promptly went off to College. Who can identify with this scenario? One memory we have of Bristol is an encounter he experienced with another cat of ours named Scruffamuffin. Scruffamuffin earned her name by the terrible condition she was in when we first acquired her. Bristol had a flea collar as was our custom with our cats at that time. One day he and Scruffamuffin came face to face not far from where Patti and I were sitting. Scruffamuffin apparently did not like something about Bristol or perhaps it was something he said, anyway she took a swipe at him and the flea collar came flying off landing between them. They were both startled, looked at the collar, and each turned about and walked off like nothing happened. Now let’s get back to our wonderful Bible Study from the Book of Hebrews. Again, let’s take a few moments to carefully and thoughtfully examine our primary text.
Hebrews 5:5-10 (KJV)
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
I will pick up today with Hebrews 5:6 with the phrase; “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” I have written about this Melchisedec previously so some of what we discuss today may be somewhat repetitive but hopefully insightful and not boring. There has been much said and written about this Melchisedec by others and for that matter yours truly. Some have said that this was Jesus before the womb of Mary. Others have said that this is Shem one of the sons of Noah in his later years. To make a long story very short, I do not believe either one is supported by Scripture. I believe that Melchisedec is Melchisedec who like many characters in Scripture are a type and shadow of the One to come. The One to come of course is Christ Jesus.
There is no evidence that Melchisedec was an eternal (“for ever”) figure. However, Christ is a forever personality. Christ became our High Priest following Calvary and His Resurrection and restoration, He was not a High Priest, at least not for us, in eternity past. Christ will forever be our High Priest, from the split second of our salvation into forever. His function as our High Priest does not end at the Rapture (Catching Away), the Second Coming, or with the New Heaven and the New Earth. This priesthood is forever, our Blood Covenant is forever and He is the mediator, the High Priest of that Covenant.
Now let’s turn our attention to the word “order” from our text, Hebrews 5:6. We are used to the use of this word ‘order’ in the context of an instruction, command, directive, demand, or mandate. We even have some familiarity with the use of the word ‘order’ as it relates to for example a meeting coming to order. This use of the word ‘order’ from our text as to do a person’s rank, official order, or status. Melchisedec was king and priest of Salem (early Jerusalem). He was not just a king or just a priest but both. The order of these things established in the Old blood Covenant and we see in the world, a person is one or the other but not both. Jesus Christ is also a King and Priest as Scripture says in the order of Melchisedec or as Melchisedec. Guess who else is a king and a priest in the order of Melchisedec? We are little children! This is not something we are to become we are now in the earth from the time of our spiritual rebirth (Revelation 1:6). The final thing I want to point out in this study of the word ‘order’ as it is used in our text is that it is feminine in gender and singular in number. When we walk in the office of king and the office of priest fully embracing these offices we will be productive for the Kingdom of God. As a little bit of a side issue but immensely important is that as a king we lay out our case and decree a thing one time in the name of Jesus and thereafter we give thanksgiving concerning the thing. As we finish for today let’s take a look at when we first see Melchizedek. I will pick up with this again tomorrow.
Genesis 14:17-23 (KJV)
17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.
18 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.
21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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