Summary:
Being a priest is not just a job, it is a calling by God. Jesus was called by God to be our eternal high priest and the source of our eternal salvation
Questions:
6. (1) Selected among men and appointed to represent them, (2) Able to deal gently with others, (3) must be called by God (not self appointed)
I think there would be amazing benefits if christian leaders held to these same standards, particularly the third. A lot of issues come from those who take on a leadership role for reasons other than being called to it by God.
7. v5, Son of God; v5, appointed by the Father; v6, named by God as a priest forever; v7, while Jesus did not sin, He did pray particularly regarding death; v7, reverent submission; v8, suffered; v9, perfect; v9, source of eternal salvation; v10, designated by God as high priest forever
8. a. eternal salvation
b. While disobedient in many ways, many of my ongoing temptations are health related. I don’t eat as I should, exercise as I should, etc. The obvious result of my disobedience (of following the calling of my stomach rather than being obedient) is that I am shortening my days on the earth. The blessing to others of greater obedience would be more days that I could be encouraging, loving and caring for them.
Conclusions:
Gen 14:18-20: Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
And praise be to God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand.”
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
In the next several weeks of the study we will see Melchizedek’s name a few more times. Prior to Hebrews he is referenced only in this Genesis passage and then again in Psalm 110 in a Messianic prophecy (Psalm 110 is only 7 verses long). Here are a few interesting notes to keep in mind:
- He was the only priest of God who was also a king noted in the bible
- As the king of Salem he was literally the “king of peace”
- His name is comprised of two word meaning “king of righteousness”
- He predates the Levitical line by at least 5 generations
- He gave Abram bread and wine and blessed him (there will be discussion to follow about how the greater provides a blessing to the lesser)
The Notes are Good 