Hebrews 7
EdwardsHebrews 7:1-2
Heb. 7:1-2. 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; 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;
Blank Bible: “2] By this it is evident that the Holy Ghost sometimes intends to teach diverse mysteries by the signification of names.” And by this remark of Edwards it is evident that he believes in verbal inspiration of the Bible.
The lapse after this comment until verse 19 makes this the longest section of Hebrews in which we have found no Edwards comment.
Heb. 7:3-18
Hebrews 7:3-18
Heb. 7:3-18. 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. Now consider how great this man (was), unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he (receiveth them), of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, paid tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need (was there) that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For (it is) evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou (art) a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
Heb. 7:19
Hebrews 7:19
Heb. 7:19. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in a better hope (did); by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Some of Edwards’ texts appear in most unexpected places. Heb. 7:19 thus comes in as evidence “Concerning the Endless Punishment of Those Who Die Impenitent.” The argument is as follows:
§ 20, If the damned, after they have suffered a while, are to be delivered, and to have eternal life; then the present dispensation of grace and life to the fallen children of men, that was introduced by Christ and his apostles, after the ceasing of the old Mosaic dispensation, is not the last; but another is to be introduced after this ceases, and with regard to those with whom, through the flesh or through their sins and corruption, it has proved unprofitable and ineffectual.
But our text shows this is the last and perfect dispensation:
But, that a new dispensation of grace should thus be introduced, because that which was brought in by Christ and his apostles, proves weak and unprofitable through men’s corruption, and there appears to be need of one which shall be more effectual, is not agreeable to the Scripture. For this dispensation is spoken of as the last and most perfect, wherein perfection was reached. Hebrews 7:19 , “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did.” And chap. Hebrews 11:40 , “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” The ancient dispensation is spoken of as that which God found fault with, it proving ineffectual through the corruption of men; and so he introduced a new administration, that should not be liable to exception, and therefore should not wax old, or be ever liable to vanish away and give place to another; Hebrews 8:6 to the end.
Heb. 7:20-24
Hebrews 7:20-24
Heb. 7:20-24. And inasmuch as not without an oath (he was made priest); (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death; But this (man), because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Hebrews 7:25
Heb. 7:25
Heb. 7:25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
In Concerning Faith, we read:
§ 69. Faith implies a cleaving of the heart to Christ; because a trusting in others is spoken of as a departing of the heart from the Lord. Jeremiah 17:5 , “Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, whose heart departeth from the Lord.” So a heart of unbelief is a heart that departeth from the Lord. Hebrews 3:12 , “Lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Faith has a double office. It accepts Christ from God, and presents Christ to God. It accepts Christ in the word, and makes use of him in prayer.
In the word, God offereth him to you, as Lord and Saviour, to give you repentance and remission of sins. Now, when you consent to God’s terms this is to believe in him. - Faith presents Christ to God; Ephesians 3:12 . “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence, by the faith of him.” All religion lieth in coming to God by him. Hebrews 7:25 , “Wherefore he is able also to save them unto the uttermost, that come unto God through him; seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Dr. Manton, vol. v. p. 382.
Heb. 7:26-28
Hebrews 7:26-28
Heb. 7:26-28. For such a high priest became us, (who is) holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s; for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, (maketh) the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.