Bible Studies

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Jesus Christ is our Forerunner and He Appeared to Abraham as Melchizedek Part 4

Hebrews 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. KJV

The reason for the sound, sudden, and even surprising appearance of this Man Melchizedek to Abraham right after his war victory at Shaveh was to bless him, as it is written here for us by the writer of Hebrews with these words, "And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better." (Hebrews 7:7) (KJV). The English word 'contradiction' used in this verse is translated by the Greek word antilogia meaning dispute, disobedience: - contradiction, gainsaying, strife. The English word 'less' is translated by the Greek word elassōn meaning (as used here) smaller in quanity or to be under. The English word 'blessed' is translated by the Greek word eulogeō meaning to speak well of, that is, (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper): - bless, praise. The English word 'better' is translated by the Greek word kreittōn meaning stronger, that is, (figuratively) better, that is, nobler: - best, better. In other words, the Greater One appeared surprisingly to the one under His Authority to bless him or praise him and to render a formal act of approval of this man Abraham. He (Melchizedek) did so at that particular time because the many earthly kings upon the land (at the time) did not regard, revere, or respect  Abraham because they were men who took what they wanted when they wanted as they did when 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 defeated the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed (Genesis 14:9-12). This is what caused Abraham to go to war against these earthly kings and defeat them at the valley of Shaveh (Genesis 14:13-17) and rescue Lot along with all the women and all of their goods or belongings. Melchizedek wanted to show these earthly kings His approval of Abraham. Melchizedek (the God Man Jesus Christ) also wanted Abraham to understand the source of his victory was not his human planning, process, or procedures, but instead it was the 'will of God' and by the 'power of God' that he defeated all these kings with just 318 men (Genesis 14:14), therefore, without dispute or disobedience Abraham offered up one tenth of the spoils he took from the earthly kings when they were soundly defeated to Melchizedek. The true blessing for Abraham was that he belonged to All Mighty God and was under His (God's) protection. What Abraham did in giving the tenth of the spoils was out of reverence and respect acknowledging his dependency on God and his trust in God to provide for him and his family, knowing and understanding that everything he had belonged to God and that he was just the steward.

Here is what Adam Clarke says of Hebrews 7:7, "That the superior blesses the inferior is a general proposition; but Abraham was blessed of Melchizedek, therefore Melchizedek was greater than Abraham. 'The blessing here spoken of,' says Dr. Macknight, 'is not the simple wishing of good to others, which may be done by inferiors to superiors; but it is the action of a person authorized to declare God's intention to bestow good things on another. In this manner Isaac and Jacob blessed their children under a prophetic impulse; in this manner the priests under the law blessed the people; in this manner, likewise, Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God, blessed Abraham.'" Here also is what Albert Barnes had to say of Hebrews 7:7, "It is an admitted principle; a point about which there can be no dispute. The act of pronouncing a blessing is understood to imply superiority of rank, age, or station. So when a father lays his hand on his children and blesses them, it is understood to be the act of one superior in age, venerableness, and authority; when a prophet pronounced a blessing on the people, the same thing was understood, and the same is true also when a minister of religion pronounces a blessing on a congregation. It is the act of one who is understood to sustain an office above the people on whom the blessing is pronounced. This was understood of the Saviour when parents brought their children to Him to lay His hands on them and bless them Matthew 19:13; and the same was true of Jacob when dying he blessed the sons of Joseph; Hebrews 11:21; Genesis 48:5-20. The word 'less' here means the one of inferior rank; who is less in office, honor, or age. It does not imply inferiority of moral or religious character, for this is not the point under consideration. The word 'better' means one who is of superior office or rank, not one who has necessarily a purer or holier character. That Melchizedek was thus superior to Abraham, Paul says, is implied by the very declaration that he 'blessed him.' It is also seen to be true by the whole comparison. Abraham was a petty prince; an 'Emir' - the head of a company of Nomades, or migratory shepherds, having, it is true, a large number of dependants, but still not having the rank here given to Melchizedek. Though called 'a prophet' Genesis 20:7, yet he is nowhere called either a priest or a king. In these respects, it was undoubted that he was inferior to Melchizedek."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

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