Why study Hebrews? Well, Romans 3:1-2 (KJV) says,
1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
Hebrews, the book, is written to them knowing that they have both the oral and written oracles of God. They have the- “ between the lines” understanding of the Word of God more than we do as Christians who have been separated from our DIVINE roots. We have not been taught about the ancient paths and the true meaning of what it is to honor the Laws of YHVH. We have also been raised in an entirely different culture and time so our mindsets are vastly different than the ancient Hebrews WHO WERE FIRST TO CARRY THE LAWS OF GOD (YHVH) TO THE WORLD.
The book of Hebrews cites Melchizedek more than once so in order to understand what Hebrews is saying, we need to go back to the first mention and understand the basic foundation laid there.
It is now time that we explore our roots! We will find that the root is Divine and the natural branches are Israeli (Hebrew) and the grafted in branches are we the Gentiles. It is the reason for this teaching. I am trying to lay out first the importance of lining up with YHVH as our LORD by showing Abram and how he did and then connect the dots for us today by understanding who it is that we are as kings and priests after the order of Melchizedek.
The way we must begin the study of the person who is Melchizedek, we must look at first mention which is the war of the kings in Genesis 14. [Inside the brackets I have inserted the word meaning in Bold, so we can see the story unfold clearly. This story is a type and picture of what will unfold again in our own future so it is good to see it].
THESE KINGS:
Amraphel = sayer of darkness
king of Shinar = Babylon’s capital city which is the Anti-Christ base
Arioch = lion like
king of Ellasar = God is chastener
Chedorlaomer = servant of Lagamar who is a goddess in the gods of the Elamites
king of Elam = a king who is goddess controlled and is modern day Iran
Tidal = great son king of nations, (Arab nations)
AT WAR WITH THESE KINGS:
Bera = son of evil
king of Sodom = burning and of the anti-Christ
king of Gomorrah = man of sin and is modern day Jordan
Shinab = splendor of the father
king of Admah = red earth
Shemeber = lofty flight
king of Zeboiim = strong and fast
king of Bela = destruction], which is Zoar [insignificant
Genesis 14:1-20 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel [sayer of darkness], king of Shinar, [Babylon’s capital city which is the Anti-Christ base], Arioch [lion like] king of Ellasar [God is chastener], Chedorlaomer [servant of Lagamar who is a goddess in the gods of the Elamites], king of Elam [a king who is goddess controlled and is modern day Iran], and Tidal, [great son] king of nations, [Arab nations];
2 That these made war with Bera [son of evil] king of Sodom [burning and of the anti-Christ], and with Birsha [with iniquity], king of Gomorrah [man of sin and is modern day Jordan], Shinab [splendor of the father], king of Admah [red earth], and Shemeber [lofty flight] king of Zeboiim [strong and fast], and the king of Bela [destruction], which is Zoar [insignificant].
3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. [These first kings attacked the five kings. Then afterwards they went after the Nephilim tribes stated in verses 5 and 6. The Nephilim are the giants from the modifications from genetics and which stemmed from the sin in the Garden of Eden when Eve allowed one of the sons of God to go in unto her (mind, will and emotions) and corrupted the creation of YHVH.]
4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
6 And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.
7 And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.
8 And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim; [This is all happening in the Siddim Valley].
9 With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.
10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; [slimepits are the evidences of oil reserves underground.] and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.
12 And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. [capturing Lot causes Abram to get involved in this war.]
13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale. [Abram represents a type and picture of Messiah, Lot represents God’s people in bondage to the influences of the world (physical enemies) which has giants behind them (spiritual beast of religion), and the servants born and trained in Abram’s household are the believers in the cause. Valley of Shaveh is the King’s Valley also known as, Jerusalem.
So, let’s sum this shadow picture up for the future: The son of evil with iniquities will come to capture the family of YaH but the Son and true ruler of the earth, who is also the Father’s splendor will come fast and strong and smite the evil king destroying his kingdom.
The fact that the Theophany, Melchizedek came to Abram immediately after he slew the 9 Kings is very important! The 9 kings are the enemies of YaHoVaH. Where do we find them mentioned in the Word? Well, they may not be named per se but the 10 Commandments are the Father’s way of keeping us safe from them! And ALL the enemies of both The Godhead and His children can be thwarted by living within the guidelines of the Commandments. (If we count Abram as a king we can say that he had to overcome any personal fears that would keep him from fighting in the battle against YaH’s enemies. He aligned his will to the Father’s will. He honored YaHoVaH as his LORD. (Sound familiar? Y’shua also did the same but did it with perfection.) Now we have 10 Kings that were involved in this…)
Yes, you see, behind each Commandment is a strong man of the Enemy, always desiring to entice us away from keeping the Commandments and being obedient to the Creator. The first four cover us from strongholds which interfere with our relationship with YaHoVaH. The other six are protection from strongholds with regard to our interpersonal relationships with people.
A stronghold happens when a “strong man” is given entry into our lives. He is a strong man in that he has a company of other spirits that enter in with him once he gains entry. Where do spirits attack a person? In the soul realm, which encompasses the mind, will and emotions. You can read about the strongman in Matthew 12. (When you look into the kingdoms and the culture of a people you see the strongholds over them.)
Abram is a clear picture of the Messiah here and just like the Messiah he had to put all his personal will aside and accomplish the will of the Father. For Abram that meant that he had to put down fear of being outnumbered and having inferior arms to fight against such a formidable enemy as these 9 Kings! He had 300 servants. Were these men trained in acts of war? Were their weapons superior?
The Word doesn’t say that they were so we must assume that Abram had to really believe that he was serving the One True and Living God and so he found his identity in THAT fact which gave him the courage and fortitude to go to war against rulers who have been ruling an entire area for at the very least 12 years.
When we find our identity in YHVH we will be establishing His Kingdom on this Earth and will not believe the lies of the enemy which tell us that we are not able! HE IS ABLE! We are to be His hands, feet, voice and love in the world!
Let’s keep going…
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. [Melchizedek is the only person in the Old Testament who is both a king and a priest. Most Biblical scholars believe he is the Lord, Y’shua who came as a Theophany.]
This can also be confirmed by understanding, of course Hebrews but look at Psalm 110:1-4 (KJV)
1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Okay, now back to Genesis 4:18-20
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
[NOW we must take note that the Kiddush is done every Friday night in every home of every devout Hebrew since this event occurred. That is a rehearsal of over 5,000 years! It is a living oracle of YHVH and our Messiah, Y’shua also observed it with His Talmidim, (disciples), and asked us to do it too in remembrance of Him in His death until He returns].
Okay, so now what is this blessing? First, it is because YaH chose Abram to bring forth the knowledge of relationship with the Creator to the rest of the inhabitants of the Earth. I believe that this is the BIRTHRIGHT that Esau sold for a pot of stew. (I believe it is a major contributing factor as to why Y’shua says that he hated Esau. He had little or no interest in things pertaining to the things of the Spirit and did not care about establishing the Kingdom of YaH.)
That birthright relationship has benefits in that Abram was now blessed by the possessor of heaven and earth who is the only one able to deliver anyone from their enemies. When Y’shua explains in Matthew that Abram saw His day and rejoiced, this is that day. Melchizedek shows Abram who He is and from this time forth, Abram begins to understand many things about YaH. He is already honoring the Shabbat, performing sacrifices, soon after this YaHoVaH cuts the Covenant with him, sealing the relationship with supernatural intervening into Abrams life.
We see that the sacrifices that Abram does are the same that Abel did and which are the basis for the Levitical Priesthood. These will eventually be done away with because there is a higher Priesthood that will be—has been— fulfilled by Messiah and become a reality. . . causing the old order, the Levitical Priesthood to vanish away.
The entire book of Hebrews is about this being accomplished and how it brings us to be the kings and priests which have come into His REST because we know that He will deliver us from our enemies! His blood has overcome the enemies of His throne and His dominion thereby freeing us. We must appropriate the works of the Messiah in order to benefit from them. In order to appropriate them we need to understand it all…ESPECIALLY THE MOEDIM-OR APPOINTED TIMES OF YHVH!!! These appointments are the times that YHVH says He will meet with mankind. All we need to do is show up with a willing heart to receive.
