I am going to need you to put your thinking cap on for today’s study lesson on Hebrews 7. To help understand what the author is saying, go ahead and read verses 15-28 first, then go back and read verses 1-14 to get the history of what life was like for believers before Christ. Following God in the Old Testament was tedious, and everything had to be done with precision. Earthly high priests made the atonement for people’s sins on their behalf to God. Since Christ, you do not need earthly clergy to speak for you. You can go to God yourself because of Jesus Christ. Go back to Hebrews 4:16 and be encouraged by this truth.
The author wants you to understand how Jesus truly is your High Priest. He reigns superior over all earthly clergy. The clergy’s job is to point believers to Jesus. You are not to follow earthly clergy more than Christ. Many believers follow the ways of their denominational churches over God and His Word. Believers are to take what they hear from their pastor’s sermon and see for themselves what the Bible says. From there, you listen to the Holy Spirit guide you. A child of God follows Christ.
Back when you studied Hebrews 5, the author mentioned a man named Melchizedek in verse 6. The author of Hebrews mentions him again in chapter 7 so you can understand more clearly how Jesus truly is the High Priest. Think of Melchizedek as a representation of the Old Testament way of following God. What do you learn about him from verses 1-3?
Melchizedek resembles the Son of God.3
Verses 4-14 reveal what life was like in the Old Testament. Believers lived by many laws. They followed those who God called forth. Abraham and Moses were two men that God called forth. They played a big part in preparing people for Christ one day. You can read about Abraham in Genesis and Moses in Exodus. In Hebrews 11, you will study about many faithful followers of Christ who answered the call from God.
In these verses, you see how tithing played a big part in obedience to God. A believer was to give a portion of what they owned back to God.
From verses 11-14, you see how God needed to establish a different priesthood. For this to happen, the laws that believers followed from the priests needed to change. God was preparing the world for His Son.
You see how Jesus is the “new kid on the block” in verses 15-28. How did Jesus become the High Priest, see verse 16? What does this mean for believers of the New Testament? A believer lives by the power of God, and not by human standards. For added insight, read Ephesians 2:8-9.
The Old Testament requirements from the priesthood of Melchizedek fell short of God’s requirements. From verses 18-19, how so? What do you have because of Christ, see verse 19?
Be encouraged by this. In Christ, you can draw near to God. Under Melchizedek, you lived by rules and laws. Like you read in verse 18, it was weak and useless. “But now,” as verse 19 says, “you have confidence in a better hope, through which you draw near to God.”
A child of God can go directly into God’s presence himself!
God was giving man a new system to follow, a new way to live. What do you learn about this new system from verses 20-22? What made the old system weak and useless, see verses 23 and 27?
In Christ, you don’t have to worry about the “changing of the guard” happening for Jesus lives forever which means His priesthood lasts forever. Why is this good news for believers, see verse 25? How does this help you to trust Christ with your life?
Jesus is the High Priest you and I need. Why, see verse 26? God elevated His Son to become your Savior, Redeemer, and Lord. “Jesus did this once for all people when He offered Himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins.”27
It truly is good news when you come to know Jesus Christ. You can go to Him knowing that He will receive you, help you, and lead you home where you can reside in His presence forever. Jesus is your High Priest who eternally loves you and fights for you.
Carol J German 