Psalm 110:4 The LORD has sworn, and will not repent, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. It cannot be safely asserted that this psalm belongs exclusively to Messiah. Every Messianic reference in the Old Testament probably has a first and local application. This psalm refers, then, to David, and through him to Messiah. If this be so, the application of the Melchizedek type of priest to David may help us in tracing the application of the same type to Messiah. The points dwelt on by the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews (Hebrews 7:1-22) are not prominent in this psalm. The point here is, that the Aaronic priesthood was only a priesthood; but the priesthood of Melchizedek was a royal priesthood. I. DAVID'S PRIESTHOOD WAS OF MELCHIZEDEK'S KIND. Priesthood is but ministry; only it is ministry in sacred and Divine things, The essential idea of a priest is one who represents God on earth in some particular sphere. So a king who is loyal to Jehovah, and represents him in the political and national spheres, is properly a priest; just as the man who represents Jehovah in the moral and religious spheres is called a priest. Evidently Melchizedek was the Divine representative for his day and his country, just as Abraham was for his tribe; and so he is called a king-priest. It is noticed that David, and perhaps all the kings of Israel, assumed certain priestly functions. "David himself, as at the bringing up of the ark, and Solomon, as at the consecration of the temple, had some shadow of the priestly office." II. MESSIAH'S PRIESTHOOD WAS OF MELCHIZEDEK'S KIND. It was united with king ship, as it was in the case of Melchizedek; and we only regard Messiah aright when we fully recognize his authority to atone, and his authority to rule; his relation to the whole sphere of our worship, and his relation to our entire commonplace life and relations. 1. See the likenesses between Melchizedek and Messiah as priests, or as Divine peacemakers, ministrants of Divine reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Of Jesus it is said, "He is our Peace." 2. See the likenesses between Melchizedek and Messiah as kings, or as Divine rulers, ministrants of Divine order, in the common family, social political, and national relations of life. Perhaps it may be said with truth that, in regard to Messiah, as in regard to David, the governmental priesthood is more prominent than the sacrificial priesthood. The royalty of Melchizedek is certainly the chief point of reference to the psalmist. The Lord Jesus is our King-Priest forever. - R.T. Parallel Verses KJV: The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. |
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