“Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils” (Hebrews 7:4).
In Hebrews 7:4, the author of Hebrews will invite us to journey with him as he considers the priestly order of Melchizedek and Jesus’ superiority over the Levitical sacrificial system.
It is no coincidence that the first portion of that journey mentions “…the patriarch Abraham.” The word “patriarch” is comprised of the words patri (or “father”) and arche (meaning “first”) in the original language of this passage. This concept thus serves to distinguish Abraham as the “first father” of the Jewish people. It also means that Abraham’s interaction with Melchizedek held some critical implications.
You see, it is important to remember that Abraham’s relationship with Melchizedek predated the Levitical priesthood by several centuries. Yet, Abraham recognized Melchizedek’s authority as priest and king and responded by giving ten percent of his plunder to God through him. One theologian explains the significance of that act in a helpful and succinct manner…
“Since Abraham paid a tithe to Melchizedek, and Melchizedek blessed Abraham, it is clear that Melchizedek was superior to Abraham. By extension, Abraham’s position in the Hebrew lineage made him greater than his son Isaac, and Isaac was greater than his son Jacob, and Jacob was greater than his sons, which included Levi.
So if Abraham was greater than Levi, and if Melchizedek was greater than Abraham, then obviously Melchizedek was greater than Levi. Therefore, if Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, His priesthood is not inferior to the Levitical priesthood but superior to it. That is how the author of Hebrews argues.” (1)
This helps explain why this reference to “a tenth of the spoils” has found its way into the Biblical record. It also leads us to the following conclusion: it would be wrong to return to the service of an earthly priest when the “first father” of those who seek God in faith recognized someone greater. The same is true of anyone who seeks to gain acceptance with God through their individual efforts today.
That also includes those who seek to gain favor or acceptance with God through a mediator other than Christ. As we are told in the Biblical books of 1 Timothy and Acts…
“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NIV).
(1) Sproul, R. C. (2014). Everyone’s a Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology. Reformation Trust Publishing. Page 116.