Adult Bible Study: Hebrews Lesson 15

Adult Bible Study: Hebrews Lesson 15

Hebrews Lesson 15

Learn: Ephesians 7:1-3

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.

Read: Hebrews 7:1-28

In many ways who Melchizedec is; is the main issue of Hebrews. The question as to his true identity is a significant issue.

  1. Read Genesis 14: 1-24 to refresh your memory of the of Abram’s (Abraham) meeting with Melchizadek and how he was.
  2. Using the Genesis reference, Psalm 110:1-7 and Hebrews 7:1-3, make a list of the names or titles given to Melchisedec. 

NOTE: Melchizedec is called “King of Salem.” The word “Salem” is the original name of Jerusalem, by which name it is called in Psalm 76:1-2.

  1. What is Abraham’s position as regards all who believe in the Lord Jesus and his finished work of salvation?  Romans 4: 7- 16
  2. We see then, that because of the position that Abraham holds in the lives of all true believers in Jesus, the fact that this Melchizedec blessed Abraham is of great importance. What is the blessing that Melchizedec gave Abraham as recorded in Genesis 14:18-20?
  3. There have been different ideas as to who this Melchizedec was. One view is that he is just a historical figure about whom little is known. Some believe that he is the Messiah in one of his pre-incarnate visits. What are 2 basic things that the Genesis 14 account tells us about Melchizedec?  He brought ________________ and _______________ to Abraham. Genesis 14:18                                                                He  _______________________ Abraham.  Genesis 14:19
  4. What was Abraham’s response to Melchizedec?  Genesis 14:2

NOTE: This giving of the tenth by Abraham to Melchizedec is the first mention of the tithe in the Scripture. The words “tenth of the spoils” in Hebrews 7:4 is the Greek word akrothinion which literally means “the top of the heap or pile.” The best and most valuable “stuff” was always at the top and usually reserved for the leader. Abraham did not give a tenth of the whole pile, but a tenth of that which was his portion. His men and their portions were not tithed. There is no record of Abraham giving tithes before or after this. It was purely voluntary on Abraham’s part, recognizing the greatness of Melchizedec. THE MESSIAH OF ISRAEL by David Hocking   pp.169, 170

  1. We see that Melchizedec is unique among all priests as we look at the description given of him as seen in Hebrews 7:2-3. First of all he is a ____________. 
  2. The name “Melchizedec” is composed of two words- the word for “king” and the word for “righteousness” – both are originally Hebrew words that are simply transliterated into Greek and said in English. He is uniquely _____________   ______   ______________________________. Hebrews 7:2  Since NO priest served as “king” we are immediately confronted with the _______________________ of this one called Melchizedec.
  3. He is also the ____________   _____   __________________, which is then described as _____________   _____   ________________.  Hebrews 7:2 This portrays to us the one who will bring peace to this world.
  4. Read Numbers 3:1-13 and Ezra 2:59-63 (especially verse 62) and use them to explain the importance of the genealogy of priests.
  5. What happened in the case of one man who could not show his genealogy to be of the Levitical line tried to do the work of a priest, which showed that God was serious as to his requirements for priesthood?  II Chronicles 26:16-24  
  6. What makes Melchizedec unusual as a priest of the Most High God as compared to the Levitical priesthood which we read about in Leviticus?  He literally did not have a _________________ or a ___________________ or any ________________________. Hebrews 7:3a
  7. What words does Hebrews 7:3b use to declare that this Melchizedec is DIVINE in origin?
  8. Use the following Scriptures to show that the name made like unto the “Son of God” used here in Hebrews 7:3 ties together to declare that Jesus the Messiah is God:                                                                        Psalm 110 (especially verse 4) Psalm 2:1-12 (especially verses 2, 6, 7, 12) Proverbs 30:4
  9. In spite of the teaching of the Muslim religion and other cults, what does the Bible declare in the verses above to be true concerning God having a Son?
  10. What is a remarkable fact about the duration of this one called Melchizedec?  Hebrews 7:3c   Also see Hebrews 5:6 which quotes Psalm 110:4. NOTE:  Melchizedec is NOT simply a person who shows up in Genesis and then dies; he is not like other priests who die and another takes his place; Melchizedec is still alive, and still a priest!  
  11. After all the evidence given to us concerning Melchizedec in Hebrews 7:1-3, what are we admonished to do?  Hebrews 7:4a
  12. We are reminded of Hebrews 3:1, what were we told to consider in this passage?
  13. What further evidence is given to us of the greatness of Melchizedec?  Hebrews 7:4
  14. Give 2 contrasts made between Melchizedec and the Levitical priesthood which descended from Abraham? Hebrews 7: 5, 6
  15. What is the argument given from verse 7 of Hebrews 7 showing that Melchizedec is greater than Abraham out of which came the Levitical priesthood as commanded by God.
  16. What is another contrast between the two priesthoods that is shown in Hebrews 7:8?
  17. Levi himself never did receive any tithes, it was his descendants beginning with Aaron and his sons that received tithes. What does Hebrews 7:9, 10 say of Levi?
  18. From this Scripture passage of Hebrews 7:1-10, we learn that the priesthood of _________________________ was not replaced by the ________________________ priesthood,  though it came later. Instead, the priesthood of _____________________________ is far superior to the  _______________________priesthood that came after, for the  priesthood of  ________________________ is an ________________________ priesthood, it abideth ___________________________.

NOTES come from THE MESSIAH OF ISRAEL-STUDIES IN HEBREWS by David Hocking