Hebrews 7:9

Hebrews 7:9 says, And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.  Levi also payed tithes to Melchisdec.  He did not stand in self-pride refusing to acknowledge the superiority of Melchisedec.  We cannot allow self-pride to prevent us from acknowledging the work that others do for God.  If we are true followers of Christ, then we must do all for His glory.  Verse ten adds, For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.  I believe that this is once more pointing out that our earthly status does not mean that we are superior to anyone else in the eyes of God.  As a matter of fact, we may find ourselves in a position of being less than some other believer, no matter our earthly credentials.  Verse eleven continues, If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?  Levi was a priest of the law, the old testament between man and God.  The question is if this keeping of the law of God could bring salvation, why would we need another priest?  We know that the law could not redeem us, so we had the need of a high Priest Who could.  Verse twelve states, For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.  When the priesthood changed, so did the law.  We no longer look to the law of God for salvation, but to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross to fulfill that law.  We become a pert of the priesthood of believers when we accept Christ as Savior and Lord.  We can go directly to God without the need of a priest to represent us before God.  Verse thirteen adds, For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.  The priesthood would come not from the tribe of Levi, but from the tribe of Judah.  Christ, the only One able to fulfill the law, would become our high Priest forever by our faith in Him.  Verse fourteen continues, For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.  Jesus is not our high Priest because of His physical birth, but because of His heavenly calling.  The Levitical priest were often corrupt, even though they were physically born into the priesthood.  Our birth does not determine our relationship with God, but our rebirth through Christ does.  Verse fifteen says, And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,  Jesus is said to be after the order of Melchisedec, who was not of the earthly order of priests.  Verse sixteen adds, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.  Jesus Christ is our eternal Priest, not made so by the carnal law that required a person's total obedience for salvation, but by the power of His endless life and power over sin and death.  Verse seventeen continues, For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.  This simply restates the eternal nature of the priesthood of Christ.  He is the once, now and forever Priest, or go between, for man and God.  Christ is the only One qualified to be our everlasting Priest.