When I began doing this 90 days of reading through the Bible my thinking on these posts were not to write commentaries on what I had read, but that is probably what they are.  They are more my thoughts on what I have read, and certainly not verbally inspired as the Scriptures are.  I had intended to write with more brevity, and in that I have probably failed.  Today; five days from the finish line; let me try and be brief with little word from me and more from the LORD’S Word.

My reading today was Hebrews 7 through James 3.

Hebrews 7 begins speaking of Melchizedek who is a mystery character of the Bible.  Hear what the writer of Hebrews says of Him –

“For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.”  Hebrews 7:1-3 (KJV)

Who is this Melchizedek?  According to the writer of Hebrews, inspired by God; he sounds as though he is an eternal being.  He is the King of righteousness, the King of Salem – Peace; at least there is no record of a mother or a father, no genealogy.  He is one “Made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually”.

The priesthood of Levi, the Aaronic priesthood needed to make sacrifices daily, but the writer of Hebrews says of Jesus;

“For such an High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself.  For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.”  7:26-28

In chapter eleven much is spoken of faith.  It gives us a clearer understanding of faith.  “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (11:1)  We find examples of faith from Abel to David, Jepthah, Samuel, Samson, the prophets and many unnamed ones.  Samson and Jepthah were real rascals, yet we find them to be awarded in the roll call of faith.  Praise the Lord.

Have faith in God.  I will not say anything of James today.  That will come; the Lord willing, in tomorrow’s post.

-Tim A. Blankenship