March 16-22, 2003
MEMORY VERSE: “Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.” Hebrews 7:4.
SUGGESTED READING: Patriarchs and Prophets, 350–358; 370, 371.
INTRODUCTION: “With Caiaphas the Jewish high priesthood ended. The service had become base and corrupt. It had no longer any connection with God. Truth and righteousness were hateful in the eyes of the priests. They were tyrannical and deceptive, full of selfish, ambitious schemes. Such ministration could make nothing perfect; for it was itself utterly corrupt. The grace of God had naught to do with it.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1100, 1101.
1 How long will Christ serve as High Priest? Hebrews 5:6. Compare Psalm 110:4.
NOTE: “Wherever I go, I shall urge the people to keep Christ uplifted. He is always the same, yesterday, today, and forever, always seeking to do us good, always encouraging and guiding us, leading us onward step by step. What he is today,—a faithful high priest, touched with the feeling of our infirmities,—he will be tomorrow, and forevermore. He is our guide, our teacher, our counselor, our friend, ever bestowing his blessings upon us in response to our faith. He invites us to abide with him. When we do this, when we make our home with him, all friction, all ill temper, all irritation, will cease.” Review and Herald, October 6, 1904.
2 What proof is given for the greatness of Melchizedek? Hebrews 7:4.
NOTE: “Many persons will meet all inferior demands and dues, and leave to God only the last gleanings, if there be any. If not, his cause must wait till a more convenient season. Such was not the course pursued by Abraham. Upon his return from a successful military expedition, he was met by Melchizedek, ‘king of Salem, and priest of the most high God.’ [Hebrews 7:1.] This holy man blessed Abraham, in the name of the Lord, and the patriarch gave him tithes of all the spoils as a tribute of gratitude to the Ruler of nations.” Review and Herald, May 16, 1882.
3 Who took tithes in the Mosaic dispensation? Hebrews 7:5.
NOTE: “God had honored the Levites to do service in the tabernacle, because they took no part in making and worshiping the golden calf.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 296.
“The appointed ministers of the sanctuary, the Levites received no landed inheritance; they dwelt together in cities set apart for their use, and received their support from the tithes and the gifts and offerings devoted to God’s service. They were the teachers of the people, guests at all their festivities, and everywhere honored as servants and representatives of God. To the whole nation was given the command: ‘Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.’ ‘Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the Lord is his Inheritance.’ Deuteronomy 12:19; 10:9.” Education, 148.
4 What fact about Melchizedek suggested he was greater than Abraham? Hebrews 7:6, 7.
NOTE: “The Scriptures mention tithing in connection with the history of Abraham. The father of the faithful paid tithes to Melchisedec, ‘priest of the Most High God.’ ” Review and Herald,December 8, 1896.
“Melchisedec was not a Levite, and yet he received tithe from Abraham. Abraham has met a man greater than he is. He recognizes Melchisedec’s superiority and pays the priest [king] tithe.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 440.
5 How did Levi pay tithe through Abraham? Hebrews 7:9, 10.
NOTE: “Abraham’s seed multiplied, and at length Jacob and his sons and their families went down into Egypt. Here they and their descendants sojourned for many years, till at last the Lord called them out, to lead them into the land of Canaan.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 505.
“Of the sons of Jacob, Levi was one of the most cruel and vindictive . . . . But repentance wrought reformation; and by their faithfulness to God amidst the apostasy of the other tribes, the curse Was transformed into a token of highest honor.” Education, 148.
“Whatever Abraham the patriarch did, his posterity did also. Thus when he paid tithe Levi paid tithe.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 440.
6 Why did Jesus, as our High Priest, come after the order of Melchizedek rather than Levi? Hebrews 7:11–14.
NOTE: “The priesthood had become so corrupt that the priests had no scruples in engaging in the most dishonest and criminal acts to accomplish their designs. Those who assumed the office of high priest prior to, and at, the time of Christ’s first advent, were not men divinely appointed to the sacred work. They had eagerly aspired to the office through love of power and show. They desired a position where they could have authority, and practice fraud under a garb of piety, and thereby escape detection. The high priest held a position of power and importance. He was not only counselor and mediator, but judge; and there was no appeal from his decision. The priests were held in restraint by the authority of the Romans, and were not allowed the power of legally putting any one to death. This power rested with those who bore rule over the Jews. Men of corrupt hearts sought the distinguished office of high priest, and frequently obtained it by bribery and assassination. The high priest, clad in his consecrated and expensive robes, with the breastplate upon his breast, the light flashing upon the precious stones inlaid in the breastplate, presented a most imposing appearance, and struck the conscientious, true-hearted people with admiration, reverence, and awe. The high priest was designed in an especial manner to represent Christ, who was to become a high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.” Review and Herald, December 17, 1872.
7 When was the change made from the Aaronic to the Melchizedek priesthood? Hebrews 7:12, first part. Compare Colossians 2:14.
NOTE: “When type met antitype in the death of Christ, the sacrificial offerings ceased. The ceremonial law was done away. But by the crucifixion the law of Ten Commandments was established. The gospel has not abrogated the law, nor detracted one tittle from its claims. It still demands holiness in every part. It is the echo of God’s own voice, giving to every soul the invitation, Come up higher. Be holy, holier still.” Review and Herald, June 26, 1900.
8 In addition to the change of priesthood order, what else was changed? Hebrews 7:12, last part.
NOTE: “Many in the Christian world also have a veil before their eyes and heart. They do not see to the end of that which was done away. They do not see that it was only the ceremonial law which was abrogated at the death of Christ. They claim that the moral law was nailed to the Cross. Heavy is the veil that darkens their understanding. The hearts of many are at war with God. They are not subject to His law. Only as they shall come into harmony with the rule of His government, can Christ be of any avail to them. They may talk of Christ as their Saviour; but He will finally say to them, I know you not. You have not exercised genuine repentance toward God for the transgression of His holy law, and you cannot have genuine faith in Me, for it was My mission to exalt God’s law.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 239.
9 What direction had been given concerning the priesthood? Exodus 28:1; 40:13.
NOTE: “After the dedication of the tabernacle, the priests were consecrated to their sacred office. These services occupied seven days, each marked by special ceremonies. On the eighth day they entered upon their ministration. Assisted by his sons, Aaron offered the sacrifices that God required, and he lifted up his hands and blessed the people. All had been done as God commanded, and He accepted the sacrifice, and revealed His glory in a remarkable manner; fire came from the Lord and consumed the offering upon the altar. The people looked upon this wonderful manifestation of divine power with awe and intense interest. They saw in it a token of God’s glory and favor, and they raised a universal shout of praise and adoration and fell on their faces as if in the immediate presence of Jehovah.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 359.
10 What would have been the consequence if any other than the sons of Aaron had tried to act as priest? Numbers 3:10.
NOTE: “The Lord designated a special family of the tribe of Levi to bear the ark; and others of the Levites were specially appointed of God to bear the tabernacle and all its furniture, and to perform the work of setting up and taking down the tabernacle. And if any man from curiosity or from lack of order got out of his place and touched any part of the sanctuary or furniture, or even came near any of th workmen, he was to be put to death. God did not leave His holy tabernacle to be borne, erected, and taken down, indiscriminately, by any tribe who might choose the office; but persons were chosen who could appreciate the sacredness of the work in which they were engaged. These men appointed of God were directed to impress upon the people the special sacredness of the ark and all that appertained thereunto, lest they should look upon these things without realizing their holiness and should be cut off from Israel. All things pertaining to the most holy place were to be looked upon with reverence.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 652.
11 Of what tribe was our Lord Jesus Christ? Hebrews 7:14.
NOTE: “The lion, king of the forest, is a fitting symbol of this tribe, from which came David, and the Son of David, Shiloh, the true ‘Lion of the tribe of Judah,’ to whom all powers shall finally bow and all nations render homage.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 236.
“Once again the Saviour was presented to John, under the symbol of the ‘Lion of the tribe of Judah,’ and of ‘a Lamb as it had been slain.’ These symbols represent the union of omnipotent power and self-sacrificing love. As the Lion of Judah, Christ will defend his chosen ones and bring them off victorious, because they accepted him as ‘the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ Christ the slain Lamb, who was despised, rejected, the victim of Satan’s wrath, of man’s abuse and cruelty,—how tender his sympathy with his people who are in the world! And according to the infinite depths of his humiliation and sacrifice as the Lamb of God, will be his power and glory as the Lion of Judah, for the deliverance of his people.” The Home Missionary, November 1, 1893.
12 Was there ever a priest before Christ of the tribe of Judah? Hebrews 7:13, 14.
NOTE: “By divine direction the tribe of Levi was set apart for the service of the sanctuary. In the earliest times every man was the priest of his own household. In the days of Abraham the priesthood was regarded as the birthright of the eldest son. Now, instead of the first-born of all Israel, the Lord accepted the tribe of Levi for the work of the sanctuary. By this signal honor He manifested His approval of their fidelity, both in adhering to His service and in executing His judgments when Israel apostatized in the worship of the golden calf. The priesthood, however, was restricted to the family of Aaron. Aaron and his sons alone were permitted to minister before the Lord; the rest of the tribe were entrusted with the charge of the tabernacle and its furniture, and they were to attend upon the priests in their ministration, but they were not to sacrifice, to burn incense, or to see the holy things till they were covered.” Patriarchs and Prophets,