The Holiest of All By Andrew Murray

ibolfest of mi 231
VII.
LI.
MELCHIZEDEK AND ABRAHAM.
4. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom Abraham, the
patriarch, gave a tenth out of the chief spoils.
5. And they indeed of the sons of Levi that receive the priest s office have
commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of
their brethren, though these have come out of the loins of Abraham :
6. But he, whose genealogy is not counted from them, hath taken tithes
of Abraham, and hath blessed him that hath the promises.
7. But without any dispute the less is blessed of the better.
8. And here men that die receive tithes
;
but there one, of whom it is
witnessed that he liveth.
9. And, so to say, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes hath
paid tithes ;
10. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met hi
Now consider how great this man was.
If we rightly appre
hend the greatness of Melchizedek, it will help us to understand
the greatness of Christ, our great High Priest. The Hebrews
gloried in Abraham, as the father of the chosen people ; in
Aaron, who as high priest was the representative of God and
His worship ;
in the law as given from heaven, in token of God s
covenant with His people. In all these respects the superiority of
Melchizedek is proved. He is more than Abraham (4-10), more
than Aaron (11-14), more than the law (11-19).
Melchizedek is more than Abraham ;
of this a double proof
is given. Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek; Melchizedek
blessed Abraham. According to the law the priests received
tithes from their brethren, but here a stranger receives them