The Mystery Of Melchizedek
This week, I'd like to talk about an obscure and somewhat controversial figure from the Old Testament named Melchizedek. Webster's dictionary defines the word "enigma" as a situation or person that is difficult to understand or explain, and Melchizedek was certainly the very definition of an enigma. We'll begin by reading the only actual account of Melchizedek, and of what he did. We find this in Genesis 14:18-20..."And Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all." Although this is the only account of Melchizedek's actions, Paul has a lot more to say about him in the New Testament, in the book of Hebrews.
First, a little background on what occurred here. Abram had just returned from battle, after rescuing his nephew Lot, who had been taken captive in the battle of the kings in the valley of Siddim. He was met by Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God, and king of a place called Salem, who brought bread and wine, and then blessed Abram and thanked God for delivering Abram's enemies into his hand. Abram then proceeded to give tithes of all of the spoils to Melchizedek. Let's look at the only other place in the Old Testament where Melchizedek is mentioned, in the 110th Psalm, and let's notice the context, and who David is referring to..."The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning; thou hast the dew of thy youth. The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The Lord at thy right hand will strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. He shall drink of the brook in the way; therefore shall he lift up the head." This Psalm is foreshadowing of Jesus, and it is no coincidence that Melchizedek is mentioned here. So, the question becomes, who was this Melchizedek, and why is he so significant? We can't definitively say who we was, but by looking closely at the facts surrounding him, we can draw our own conclusions. With that said, let's take a look at the 7th chapter of Hebrews, where Melchizedek is discussed in great detail, and where Paul gives critical clues as to the mystery of Melchizedek's identity...
"For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; to whom 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.
Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: but he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him. 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 arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah, of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest, who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek:) by so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: but this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 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."
Alright, so let's lay the facts out, in order for us to draw our own conclusion as to the identity of Melchizedek. Paul has provided all the clues necessary in order for us to make an informed decision. First of all, the name "Melchizedek", in Hebrew, is translated as "king of righteousness". There is only one king of righteousness. We are also told that he was the king of "Salem", which is the Hebrew word for "peace", which would make him the "king of peace". Next, we are told that he is the priest of the most high God. In our reading in Hebrews, we saw that he abides as priest continually, and we know that there can be only one high priest. Furthermore, he brought bread and wine to Abraham, which was the institution of communion. The first tithe recorded in the bible was then given to him by Abraham.
Paul tells us in Hebrews that Melchizedek had no genealogy, no beginning of days and no end of life. Therefore, we know that he was not merely a mortal man. Bear in mind that Paul met Jesus in an unusual way, after His death and resurrection, as Paul was traveling to Damascus. It would seem that Paul was fascinated by the idea of Jesus revealing Himself to other people in unusual ways as well, as he dedicates the entire seventh chapter of Hebrews to drawing out the parallels between Melchizedek and Jesus.
Was Melchizedek merely a foreshadowing of Jesus, or was this king of peace and righteousness indeed our Savior, sent to bless Abraham, institute the communion, and establish the tithe? May this be among the many questions that we have the privilege of asking Jesus in person once we are given the opportunity to meet Him face to face...
First, a little background on what occurred here. Abram had just returned from battle, after rescuing his nephew Lot, who had been taken captive in the battle of the kings in the valley of Siddim. He was met by Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God, and king of a place called Salem, who brought bread and wine, and then blessed Abram and thanked God for delivering Abram's enemies into his hand. Abram then proceeded to give tithes of all of the spoils to Melchizedek. Let's look at the only other place in the Old Testament where Melchizedek is mentioned, in the 110th Psalm, and let's notice the context, and who David is referring to..."The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning; thou hast the dew of thy youth. The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The Lord at thy right hand will strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. He shall drink of the brook in the way; therefore shall he lift up the head." This Psalm is foreshadowing of Jesus, and it is no coincidence that Melchizedek is mentioned here. So, the question becomes, who was this Melchizedek, and why is he so significant? We can't definitively say who we was, but by looking closely at the facts surrounding him, we can draw our own conclusions. With that said, let's take a look at the 7th chapter of Hebrews, where Melchizedek is discussed in great detail, and where Paul gives critical clues as to the mystery of Melchizedek's identity...
"For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; to whom 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.
Alright, so let's lay the facts out, in order for us to draw our own conclusion as to the identity of Melchizedek. Paul has provided all the clues necessary in order for us to make an informed decision. First of all, the name "Melchizedek", in Hebrew, is translated as "king of righteousness". There is only one king of righteousness. We are also told that he was the king of "Salem", which is the Hebrew word for "peace", which would make him the "king of peace". Next, we are told that he is the priest of the most high God. In our reading in Hebrews, we saw that he abides as priest continually, and we know that there can be only one high priest. Furthermore, he brought bread and wine to Abraham, which was the institution of communion. The first tithe recorded in the bible was then given to him by Abraham.
Paul tells us in Hebrews that Melchizedek had no genealogy, no beginning of days and no end of life. Therefore, we know that he was not merely a mortal man. Bear in mind that Paul met Jesus in an unusual way, after His death and resurrection, as Paul was traveling to Damascus. It would seem that Paul was fascinated by the idea of Jesus revealing Himself to other people in unusual ways as well, as he dedicates the entire seventh chapter of Hebrews to drawing out the parallels between Melchizedek and Jesus.
Was Melchizedek merely a foreshadowing of Jesus, or was this king of peace and righteousness indeed our Savior, sent to bless Abraham, institute the communion, and establish the tithe? May this be among the many questions that we have the privilege of asking Jesus in person once we are given the opportunity to meet Him face to face...
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