"Consider how great this man was" (Heb 7.4). The inspired writer means Melchizedek, but his purpose was not to extol Salem's ancient king, but Christ. The present priesthood of Christ is his theme, and in connection therewith he introduces a great man in order to emphasise the greatness of One immeasurably more glorious than Melchizedek or any other. Aaron was indeed a picturesque figure, and the man and his robes were typical of Christ. Even so, it required yet another figure in order that the writer might have fully before us our Lord Jesus Christ in His priestly character.
The Aaronic priesthood was filled from first to last by dying men. Of Melchizedek "it is witnessed that he liveth" (Heb 7.8) - an instructive picture of Him who, "because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is also able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Heb 7.24-25).
But no one need dream of Melchizedek as a supernatural character, as one who really never was born, and really never died. Nothing of the kind is meant by the Spirit of God in Hebrews 7.3. The Spirit merely wishes us to take note of these remarkable omissions in the story of Melchizedek as given in Genesis 14. In the early chapters of Genesis it is usual to record the parentage of patriarchs, and the number of years they lived. But in chapter 14 we have a man abruptly introduced concerning whom these particulars are omitted. We learn from this that the omissions of the Holy Spirit are as instructive as His words. Melchizedek is thus presented to us in Hebrews 7 as a type of the glorious One on high, who indeed had no beginning of days nor end of life, and who "abideth a priest continually" (Heb 7.3).
Concluded.
