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These verses are designed to show in what consists the superior priesthood, that is "after the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 7:17 KJV).
By Abraham Paying Tithes To This Priesthood Demonstrated It To Be Greater
Hebrews 7:4 "... even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils." (KJV)
The act of Abraham signified his inferiority to Melchizedek. His descendants also shared the same inferiority including the Levitical priests. That receiving tithes of their brethren did not change their position.
They were one with their brethren in their descent from Abraham, and were in Abraham tithers to a greater priesthood than their own - making their priesthood of lesser importance than that of the Melchizedek order.
Abraham by his commitment put himself in permanent relationship to a greater order of priesthood. Only by a personal commitment of faith can we be seen in relationship with Jesus.
By Abraham Allowing Himself To Be Blessed By Melchizedek He Acknowledged Him To Be Greater
In Abraham's experience he was blessed by the greater because he was blessed by the representative of the Most High God, and in the strictest sense the blessing was from God. Our heavenly Melchizedek, the Son of God, is the great source of all our blessings.
Abraham saw the day of Christ and was glad (John 8:56 ). Abraham acknowledged the greater Melchizedek order and so must Israel and all the peoples of the earth (Philippians 2:9-11 ), Jesus the one we confess (Hebrews 3:1 ).
Abraham Tithed To Melchizedek Represented In Scripture Only As A Living Priest
Levitical priests succeeded each other by natural generation, and passed away by death. The Melchizedek priesthood is stated in Scripture without beginning or end, so as to be a prefiguring of the nontransferable and abiding priesthood of Jesus Christ, who is declared in Psalm 110:4 as the one who ministers in the order of Melchizedek and lives forever.
Abraham Had Already Received The PromisesTherefore his descendants claiming to be partakers in the promise, were also partakers in tithing to Melchizedek.
This establishes the superiority of the Melchizedek order over the Levitical one.
The greatness of Melchizedek above that of Abraham, and his descendants, even the Levitical priesthood, brings before us the one who is above all, even Jesus, who is infinitely greater than Melchizedek whose order He fulfils.
Christ continuing the Melchizedek order implies that the Aaronic or Levitical priesthood was imperfect (Hebrews 7:11 ). Aaron's priesthood in its imperfections pointed to the need of the promised, effective Messianic Priesthood (Psalm 110:4 ). Only Jesus Christ could satisfy the righteousness of God, cleanse the sinner, remove guilt, and set the heart apart to obey God.
Change of priesthood of necessity brought change to the Levitical law (Hebrews 7:12 ). The purpose of the law was to be that of a teacher to bring to Christ (Romans 5:20; Galatians 3:19-23 ). The Aaronic priesthood and its sacrifices were the typical pictures of Jesus in the Old Testament. When the Old Testament believer offered a sacrifice in repentance and dependant faith, God in grace viewed their sacrifice as pointing to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, and the believing act of faith would be "accounted as righteousness" (Romans 4:22 NKJV). The shadow has yielded to the substance. Jesus has effectively fulfilled the picture and the law - bringing full salvation in the reach of whoever believes (John 3:16-17; Romans 3:21-25 ).
QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTIONHow is the priesthood proven to be greater than the Levitical one (Hebrews 7:9-10 )? Do you see Jesus above all, and He the one to whom you surrender all?
What does Christ's continuing the Melchizedek order imply concerning the Aaronic order (Hebrews 7:11 )? How are you benefitted?
In which way was the Aaronic priesthood and its sacrifices a shadow, and to what substance has it yielded?