_Melchisedec, king of Salem_ MELCHISEDEC I. MELCHISEDEC WAS “KING OF SALEM.” 1. Salem was certainly in Canaan--the land where Melchisedec and Abraham met. (1) It is not a matter of course that Canaan was already wholly given up to idolatry and crime; and therefore Melchisedec may have been himse... [ Continue Reading ]
_A change also of the law_ CHANGE IN THE LAW It is modified in these circumstances: 1. In regard of justification (Acts 13:39). The law was first given to justify the observers thereof; but now in regard of man’s corruption that is impossible (Romans 8:3; Galatians 3:11). God therefore now hath... [ Continue Reading ]
_Our Lord sprang out of Juda_ A NEW PRIESTHOOD 1. Jesus sprang from the royal tribe of Judah, not from the sacerdotal tribe of Levi. The apostle intentionally uses a term that glances at Zechariah’s prediction (Hebrews 7:14) concerning Him who shall arise as the dawn, and be a Priest upon His thr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Able also to save them to the uttermost_ CHRIST THE SAVIOUR OF SINNERS I. THE ABILITY OF CHRIST TO SAVE TO THE UTTERMOST. That Christ is able to save, may be argued from His appointment to that work by the Father, whose infinite wisdom could employ no means inadequate to the purpose they were desi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Such an High Priest became us_ THE PRIEST WHOM WE NEED I. WE ALL NEED A PRIEST, AND WE HAVE THE PRIEST WE NEED IN JESUS CHRIST. In fair weather, when the summer seas are sunny and smooth, and all the winds are sleeping in their caves, the life-belts on the deck of a steamer may be thought to be un... [ Continue Reading ]