God’s Ways

What do you know of the priesthood? Do you know the origin of the priesthood? Do you know the duties of priests in the temple? Do you know the duties of the high priest? Do you think of Jesus as a high priest? Why or why not? Does it change the way you view Him?

The priesthood was established through Aaron, Moses’ brother. They were of the tribe of Levi, thereby called Levitical priests. Aaron was the first priest who was allowed to go into the Holy of Holies, which is where the ark of the covenant was. Traditions were handed down through the centuries.

What do you know about Melchizedek? Most of us know very little. In fact, the Bible does not have much to say about him. We know he met with Abraham and blessed him. Abraham gave him one tenth of what he owned. We know Melchizedek was the King of Salem, which is Jerusalem. We are also told he was a high priest of God.

The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 110:4 in Hebrews 5:6. He states that Jesus is a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Why? Based on Genesis 14:17-24, Psalm 110:4, and extrabiblical Jewish sources, we can say that Melchizedek was a prototype for Jesus. In other words, Melchizedek was a forerunner or a foretaste of who Jesus would be.

Additionally, Melchizedek was not a Levitical priest. He was appointed as a priest by God before Levi was born. Jesus was not of the tribe of Levi, but of the tribe of Judah. Neither Melchizedek nor Jesus was of the Levitical priesthood line. This simply demonstrates that God uses people who are willing to serve him no matter what their background is. It is not about a physical bloodline but about the bloodline of Jesus who saves all who come to Him.

I pray we all seek to better understand God’s ways. I pray we learn how God works by studying his Word. I pray each one of us know it is through the shedding of Jesus’ blood that we are saved. Seek God’s ways. Study God’s Word. Know it is Jesus’ blood that saves. Be willing to be used by God.

Hebrews 5:8-10 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.