In order to prevent his Jewish Christian readers from abandoning the New Covenant mediated by Jesus Christ, and returning to the Old Covenant, the author of Hebrews demonstrated the superiority of the New Covenant. The writer of this epistle showed the New Covenant’s superiority in many ways. Here in Hebrews 7:1-10 the priesthood of Jesus Christ according to the order of Melchizedek is shown to be better than the Levitical priesthood under the Old Covenant.
Melchizedek is first encountered in the Bible in Genesis 14:18-20 when he met Abraham returning from his defeat of a confederacy of kings who had abducted his nephew, Lot. Very little is revealed about him. But as priest of the Most High God he blessed Abraham and received tithes from him. In that he blessed and received tithes from Abraham, he is seen as superior to Abraham because “the lesser is blessed by the better.” Therefore, the author of Hebrews argues that since Levi is a descendant of Abraham he too paid tithes to Melchizedek “while in the loins” of Abraham and is also inferior to Melchizedek. Furthermore, the Melchizedekian priesthood according to which Christ is a High Priest is better than the Levitical priesthood.
The priesthood of Jesus Christ is shown to be better also by demonstrating that Melchizedek is a type of Christ. The writer of Hebrews says that he was “made like the Son of God” (7:3). This is based on what is “not said” about Melchizedek not what is said about him. He is without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life. These things are not true of Melchizedek, but since they are not revealed the author uses him as a type of Christ. The important point the author makes with this type is since Melchizedek’s life does not end his priesthood does not end. Therefore, Jesus Christ Whose priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek ever lives as High Priest to make intercession for us (7:25), and saves us eternally! Christ’s high priestly ministry is far better than that under the Old Covenant because He continues forever and has an unchangeable priesthood. Hallelujah what a Savior!