The Daily Fountain Devotional Thursday, March 10, 2022
The Daily Fountain Devotional Thursday, March 10, 2022
Thursday, March 10, 2022
TOPIC: THE PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST AND MELCHIZEDEK
TEXT: Hebrews 7:1-10
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
The Daily Fountain Devotional Thursday, March 10, 2022
INTRODUCTION TEXT
The inspiration for the writing of the epistle to the Hebrews was to redirect the minds of the Jewish Christians to see Christ Jesus as all-in-all. Due to their persecution and suffering, many of them began to doubt the truth of the gospel and the New Covenant. They sought to return to Judaism to follow the religion of Abraham and Levi their forebearers. Since the Jewish Christians prided in the fatherhood of Abraham and perfect priesthood of Levi, his descendant, our text today traced the Genesis account of the encounter between Abraham and Melchizedek to reposition their minds. Both Abraham and Levi were mortal men and limited in age but Melchizedek was both King of peace (Salem) and of righteousness and the Priest of God forever (Heb. 7:1-3) - a typology of Jesus Christ.
The author made an important attempt to correct the erroneous beliefs that could hinder spiritual growth and maturity of Jewish Christians. Church leaders and teachers should in the same manner, use Scriptures to clear doubts about customs and traditions in young converts. The text helps us understand that the Old Testament institution of priesthood which Melchizedek represents is a shadow of things fulfilled by Jesus in the New covenant. Let us therefore not be obsessed with any age-long tradition but focus on Jesus who is above all.
Prayer: Father, thank you for your word which gives understanding into all that is true. Give me the divine ability to understand and interpret Scriptures rightly.