Hebrews 7

In chapter 7 of Hebrews, the writer focused on how Melchizedek's priesthood was superior to Aaron's priest hood. In the Old Testament, Melchizedek is mentioned in Genesis 14:13-24 & then in Psalm 110. We learned that Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who met Abram after a victorious battle. He blessed Abram, and Abram gave Melchizedek a tithe, ten percent of all. Salem means peace, so he was the king of righteousness and peace. We do not know his background, but what we do know is that he was made (created) like the Son of God (the Creator), and the Son of God was not made like him. Since Aaron's priesthood was not good enough, because they were weak due to their sinfulness, and because the sacrifices did not forgive humanities sin, we needed a new covenant. That covenant is found in Jesus who became the sacrifice for us. Jesus became the guarantee of a better covenant (v. 22). (The word covenant/testimony is found in Hebrews 17x.) Jesus is the kind of priest needed who is holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He lives to intercede for us.