Day 352 Reading Schedule: Hebrews 7-10

Hebrews 7: Jesus Christ in the Order of Melchizedek 

[Summary]

Melchizedek was king of Salem, received tithes from Abraham, and had no father, mother, or genealogy (verses 1-3). The Levitical priests took tithes from their brothers. However, Melchizedek, although not of the Levitical line, received tithes from Abraham. Therefore, it can be said that the Levitical priests offered their tithes to Melchizedek because of their ancestor Abraham (verses 4-10). The writer of Hebrews emphasizes that because the priesthood according to the order of Aaron was not perfect, a priest according to the order of Melchizedek was appointed, and that this priest is Jesus Christ (verses 11-28).

In this chapter, the writer of Hebrews argues for the high priesthood of Jesus Christ according to the order of Melchizedek. The writer of Hebrews argues for Christ's superiority over Aaron by viewing Him as being in the order of Melchizedek. Aaron was made a priest by the law of the flesh, but Christ is made a high priest by the power of an infinite life.

Hebrews 8: Christ, the High Priest of the New Covenant 

[Summary]

Christ cannot be a priest on earth because the sacrifices on earth are imperfect. Christ is the priest who is in the true sanctuary in heaven, not in the temporary sanctuary on earth (vv. 1-6). If the first covenant had been perfect, there would have been no need to ask for a second covenant. However, God presented the new covenant through the prophet Jeremiah. The new covenant abolished the old covenant. Christ is the one who serves under this new covenant (vv. 7-13).

This chapter argues about Jesus Christ, the High Priest of the new covenant. In other words, it explains how the old covenant given to the people of Israel through Moses was changed into the new covenant through Jesus Christ. By introducing the new covenant, it proves the weakness of the old covenant and the abolition of the priesthood on earth by the cross. The writer of Hebrews explains several of the superiorities of the new covenant over the old covenant.

Hebrews 9: The Perfect and Eternal Atonement of Christ 

[Summary]

The author of Hebrews explains some of the rites of the old covenant that were abrogated in order to clearly reveal the great glory of the new covenant. The sacrifices of the old covenant were repeated, but the sacrifices of the new covenant are not repeated because they were offered once for all in the heavenly sanctuary with Jesus’ own blood (vv. 1-14). Christ became the mediator of the new covenant through his death. The death of the eternal high priest seems paradoxical, but the author of Hebrews explains this by analogy with a legal will. A will becomes valid only through the death of the testator (vv. 15-22). And he repeats the uniqueness of Christ’s sacrifice once more to emphasize its timelessness and sin-absorbing effect (vv. 23-28).

In this chapter, the author of Hebrews explains the sanctuary and imperfect sacrifices under the old covenant, the eternal atonement of Jesus Christ, the necessity of his death, and his perfect sacrifice. Jesus Christ came to the end of the world not only to cover sin, but to take it away, and He offered a complete and eternal atonement.

Hebrews 10: Christ as the Perfect Sacrifice 

[Summary]

Summarizes the superiority of Christ's atonement sacrifice by comparing it to the Levitical system (vv. 1-8). In particular, it emphasizes that Christ is seated at the right hand of God in heaven and is active even now (vv. 9-18). All we need is faith in this high priest, and this faith will influence one another. Since mutual encouragement is essential, the gathering of Christians should be emphasized (vv. 19-25). Meanwhile, it again gives a stern warning about the danger of apostasy (vv. 26-31). The author emphasizes that we should remember their past perseverance and not lose confidence (vv. 32-39).

Beginning with chapter 7, the author of Hebrews concludes the chapter on Christ's high priestly office. This chapter argues that Christ is the perfect sacrifice. And in the latter part of this chapter, it mentions those who betray Christ. This warning, which was also mentioned at the beginning of Chapter 6, is another warning against turning away from Christ.