Hebrews 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Our Lord Jesus is a “surety of a better testament”. What does that mean? The word “surety” is the Greek engyos, (pronounced eng’-goo-os), which means “a sponsor, Someone pledged or given”.

The Engyos is a Person Who guarantees something with His own life. Jesus said “No one takes My life, but I lay it down of My own accord”.

Jesus is the PROMISE of God, the One Who came representing a “better testament” or a better Covenant between us and God. Jesus “was in the beginning with God, and WAS GOD” (John 1:1-3). Jesus is the Engyos of God, not just now, but from all eternity.

Word Study: What is the proof that Jesus is the Engyos of God? The phrase “BY SO MUCH” is the Greek kata tosoutos, which means “by so many GREAT proofs”. There are many proofs set forth in Chapter 7 that proves Jesus to be the Head of a Greater Covenant. One of those proofs is in the life of a mysterious Person called Melchizedek. Before we talk about the Melchizedek and Abraham, let me ask this question:

Does God Speak To People?

Illustrate: I was watching an episode of a show Sherry and I like called “Blue Bloods”. I’ve been a Tom Selleck fan from his Magnum P.I. days. The show is generally clean, and depicts a Catholic family in law enforcement, with Selleck in the lead as the Police Commissioner of New York City. On one episode a woman told “Danny” (the Police Commissioner’s son) that “the Lord spoke to me”. As Danny and his partner talked about this, they agreed “you have to be crazy if you think God speaks to you”.

I’ve heard this a lot. People say, “God doesn’t speak to man”. But that’s not what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches that God speaks to His people. I’ve had people ask me, “What does His voice sound like?” as they smirk, and I tell them “I can’t explain it to you”. God’s voice is internal, to His people, and easily discerned if you pay attention. He speaks through His Scripture, the Bible. But God speaks to His people. He guides us.

God spoke to Moses. God called Moses to service in Exodus 3 at a burning bush. In Exodus 6 God spoke to Moses, and told him:

Exodus 6:2-8 (ESV) “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them. 4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners. 5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant. 6 Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. 7 I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.”

God spoke to Moses, and spoke to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God gave the land of Canaan to Israel, and because He verbally promised that land to Israel, He told Moses to tell the people they would be led into that land.

God spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, giving him
the ceremonial & sacrificial Laws of Israel.

God speaks to people. If He didn’t, then our entire Bible is a fairytale. God calls us into a relationship with Him. A relationship implies communication. If you are in a relationship with someone, there is communication between you both. God says to His people:

Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV) Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known

And spoke in David, saying in Psalm 85:8 (ESV) Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.

God Not Only Speaks To People,
But Appeared To People

The Bible teaches that no one has ever seen God fully but Jesus Christ. God spoke to Moses, but told His servant:

Exodus 33:20 (ESV) … you cannot see My face, for man shall not see me and live …

The Apostle said “No one has EVER SEEN GOD – the only God, Who is at the Father’s side, He {Jesus} has made Him {God the Father} known” (John 1:18). We who are frail and sin tossed humans cannot look on the pure and absolute holy Face of God and it not kill us. Jesus Christ – Who is Incarnate God (Matthew 1:23) is able to look on God the Father, for Christ is without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15). But God HAS appeared to man in the Old Testament. God appeared to Abraham.

Abraham had no Bible – the Bible was not yet made.
Abraham had no Church – the Church was not formed.
Abraham had no Priest – he was Priest over his family.

Abraham had nothing that we in the Church Age have. But God came to Abraham and spoke to him. God led Abraham, and Abraham followed God by faith. God sent an image of Himself to Abraham, an Old Testament picture of God.

Theologians call this Old Testament appearance of God a CHRISTOPHANY or a THEOPHANY. The Burning Bush that Moses spoke to, the Pillar of Fire and of Cloud, these are Theophanies. The High Priest Who appeared to Abraham named Melchizedek is a Christophany.

As you read the description of Melchizedek, you can easily see that He is not as we are. Let’s look at the text:

Hebrews 7:1-2 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 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;

Background: A little background here. Abraham had been following God, and the Lord led him to the Promised Land of Canaan. Abraham was following God, but his nephew Lot was following his heart. Abraham went where God sent him, but Lot went where his heart sent him. Lot ended up in Sodom. Four Kingdoms made war with Five Kingdoms, and Sodom was part of the Five Kingdom alliance. When the two sides battled in the Valley of Siddim (Genesis 14:8) the four defeated the five. As part of their winnings:

Genesis 14:12 They also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.

When Abraham heard that his nephew Lot and his family were captured, Abraham led 318 of his men into battle against these 4 nations. Using guerrilla tactics at night, the Bible says “Abraham brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people” (Genesis 14:16).

Abraham’s defeat of a vastly superior force was not due to his skills, but to the power of God operating in his life.

Two men came to meet Abraham in the Valley of Shaveh (the King’s Valley). One was Melchizedek, the other the King of Sodom. The King of Sodom sought to reward Abraham, but Abraham refused, saying:

Genesis 14:22-23 (ESV) I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’”.

Abraham refused to receive anything whatsoever from the King of Sodom. Why? Because he did not want to glorify the King of Sodom, but the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Abraham acknowledged it was God alone Who gave him the victory. To Melchizedek, this mysterious Visitor, Abraham gave a tenth part of all the spoils of war.

Who was this Melchizedek? We are told in verse 2 that He is:

“the KING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS”, and
“the KING OF PEACE”

No human can be “King of Righteousness” or the “King of Peace”. These are divine titles.

The “KING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS” cannot be a Man as we are. Jesus said, “There is NONE GOOD, BUT ONE – that is, GOD” (Matthew 19:17). The Bible says in Romans 3:10, 17: “There is NONE RIGHTEOUS, no, not one” (Romans 3:10), and goes on to say “the way of PEACE have they not known” (Romans 3:17). Humans cannot be the King of Righteousness or the King of Peace. These are attributes of God.

But this Melchizedek cannot be God the Father. Our text states:

Hebrews 7:1 … this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him

He is not God the Father, but He is the “priest of the most high God”. This ancient Priest blessed Abraham, saying:

Genesis 14:19-20 (ESV) “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

Abraham was blessed of God because he walked with “God Most High, Possessor of Heaven and earth”. This is the only reason that Abraham with his 318 men could defeat 4 nations of armies where 5 nations could not stand. Abraham walked with God, and served God apart from the Law of Sinai. Melchizedek is further described:

Hebrews 7:3-4 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. 4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

This Melchizedek cannot be a human person like we are, though He is called a “Man”.

This MAN, for verse 4 calls Him a MAN, is “Without father, without mother, without descent”. Melchizedek had no father nor mother. Is there anyone here in this room that has never had a father or mother? No, we are all descendant from parents. Melchizedek had no family tree. To be a Levitical Priest, you had to be able to trace your genealogy back to Levi, as we are told in…

Ezra 2:62 (NKJV) {Some Levites} sought their listing among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found; therefore they were excluded from the priesthood as defiled.

Melchizedek had no family tree – yet He was a “Priest of the Most High God”. Further, we are told that Melchizedek had “neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God”. He was “LIKE UNTO THE SON OF GOD”. He is a Man, but not as we are men. He is eternal, without beginning or end.

When Abraham met Melchizedek, he gave TITHES to Him. This was long before Sinai and God’s creation of the Levitical Priests. We are told in Hebrews:

Hebrews 7:9-11 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him. 11 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 Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

When Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, it was like Levi himself was paying tithes. Levi was the great-grandson of Abraham. In the Law of Sinai the people paid tithes to the priests. When Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, it was like Levi was paying tithes to Melchizedek, for Levi was “still in the loins of Abraham”. This makes Melchizedek the superior Priest.

Melchizedek is a Christophany, an Old Testament appearance of the New Testament Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ Came From Judah, Not Levi

Melchizedek had no lineage to trace. The Lord Jesus Christ was born of a virgin named Mary, and His lineage could be traced back to Judah and King David (see Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38). This is why we are told …

Hebrews 7:14-18 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of JudaH; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. 18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

Under the Law of Israel you could be either a priest or a king. The priests were descended from Levi, the kings from David and Judah. Jesus is a fulfillment of God’s promise to David that he would have a Son that ruled forever (2 Samuel 7:8-29). Jesus – from the Tribe of Judah – could NOT be a Levitical Priest. But Melchizedek is the High Priest of God. Without beginning or end, without family tree, Melchizedek was “made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.”

This is an Old Testament appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. God promised that the Messiah, when He came, would be a Melchizedek:

Psalm 110:4 (ESV) The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Here is the point of the text:

Jesus Christ, the Engyos of God or Sponsor of the New Covenant, appeared to Abraham in Melchizedek long before Moses received the Law at Sinai. Jesus Christ, the Engyos of God or Sponsor of the New Covenant, appears to us today, offering Eternal Salvation. Jesus was BEFORE the Law of Moses. Jesus is AFTER the Law of Moses.

The Law Cannot Make Us Perfect, Righteous Enough To Stand Before God. But Jesus Can!

Hebrews 7:19-22 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21 (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 Melchizedek:{quotation Psalm 110:4}) 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

The Law of Moses, delivered at Sinai by God, could not bring Israel into a relationship with God. All the Law could do was continually point out the failings of mankind. Jesus is the Sponsor of a Better Covenant, because He is a Better Hope than the Law was.

The Melchizedek that blessed Abraham, is the Jesus Who blesses us today. Abraham was blessed apart from animal sacrifice, apart from the feasts of Israel, apart from the Levitical Priesthood, apart from either Temple or Tabernacle. The Priests of Levi could not continue forever, for like all men, they died.

Hebrews 7:23-25 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this Man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 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.

Levitical Priests came and went. In time, each suffered death. But Jesus Christ, like Melchizedek, never dies.

He saves “to the UTTERMOST those who come unto God by Him”. Why? Because Jesus never ceases praying for us, never ceases representing us before the Throne of God.

The Levitical Priests were all fallen men, just as I am. But Jesus is so much more. The One Who represents us before God is without flaw, without sin. He is …

Hebrews 7:26 … holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

The Levitical Priests were holy because they shed the blood of animals, paying for their own sins, before ever paying for the sins of the people. But Jesus is “HOLY” because He is God Incarnate.

Word Study: Jesus is “HARMLESS” (akakos, “free from guilt”). Jesus is “UNDEFILED” (amiantos, unsoiled, without deformity”). Jesus is not a sinner as we are. He is “HIGHER THAN THE HEAVENS”. He is righteous and just, the Holy Son of God. The Levitical Priests had to make offering for their sins, then for the people. But our Lord Jesus:

Hebrews 7:27 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.

Jesus is “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29-32).

Hebrews 7:28 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.

Salvation is in Christ alone. Eternal security is in Christ alone. God spoke to His people prior to the Law, saving Abraham, who believed on God. God speaks to His people today, saving whosoever will answer His call. Do you know Him? Do you know my Jesus? Oh, that God the Holy Spirit would open your hearts to Him today. Call on Him and be saved. Don’t delay. The Law cannot save you. Your morality cannot save you. Jesus Christ alone can save you. Amen and Amen.