Melchizedek: King Of Salem is our journey through the fascinating world of biblical figures and stories. In this lesson, we delve into the enigmatic character of Melchizedek, the King of Salem.
Melchizedek appears briefly in the Bible, yet his presence and significance reverberate through various theological and historical discussions. We will explore the origins, identity, and enduring mysteries surrounding Melchizedek, shedding light on the rich tapestry of biblical narratives and their profound implications.
Melchizedek King Of Salem
“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” (Hebrews 7:1).
Genesis 14:18-24
The study this week is on the memorable event of the meeting between Abraham and Melchizedek. Abram had just returned from the battle to rescue Lot, his nephew. Lot had been taken captive by the confederate kings of Canaan. Here we find a record of Abraham’s spontaneous meeting with Melchizedek.
This Melchizedek had a double title. He was both King of Salem (Salem was the shortened form of Jerusalem – the city of peace), as well as a priest of the most High God.
“And Melchizedek King of Salem brought forth bread and wine, and he was the priest of the Most High God” (verse 18).
Melchizedek blessed Abraham thus:
“…Blessed be Abram of the Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the Most High God who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand” (verses 19 and 20).
Abram responded to Melchizedek’s kind gesture by giving him tithes of the spoils of war.
The meeting between Abram and Melchizedek is symbolic. The Levitical order of priesthood came through the lineage of Abram, he being the progenitor of the Jewish race. But here we find Abram giving tithes to Melchizedek. This shows the inferiority of the Levitical priesthood to Melchizedek.
Abraham met Melchizedek who stood as a type of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. He paid tithes (tenth part) of all to him. The lessons to be learned from this episode are that one, our tithes and offerings should be given to Jesus Christ, our great High Priest.
How can we give our tithes to Jesus? We do so when we give it in the local assembly of believers where we are being fed regularly on the word of God. As the priests officiate by ministering in the sanctuary on behalf of the congregation, so are we being ministered unto in the church of God. Such assembly should be a place where the unadulterated word of God is preached. It should not be a place where the strange fire of falsehood, error, and wrong doctrine is being propagated.
The Lord commands: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10).
Abram was tremendously blessed afterward. In the chapter that followed, God reassured him with the promise.
Another important point was that Abram was obedient to God. God is not interested in the sacrifice of the unrighteous. We must be born again and live the kingdom life. We must emulate the example of the Macedonians who first gave themselves to the Lord before giving their substance (2 Corinthians 8:5).
That Melchizedek blessed Abram should not come to us as a surprise. When God called Abram, He promptly obeyed. No wonder he earned himself the sobriquet ‘the father of all them that believe.’ For his obedience, God promised him thus:
“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy name great, and thou shalt be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2).
Whatever God promises, He will make a way for its fulfillment through His chosen agents, so Melchizedek became God’s agent to pronounce a blessing still on Abram. Obedience is the doorway to having God’s blessing fulfilled in our lives.
Abram’s attitude towards strangers, his amiability, and his hospitality are also worth emulating. He had no previous meeting with Melchizedek, yet he was generous towards him.
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2 ref. Genesis 18:1-7).
Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers and had sent them out another way (James 2:25)?
Who was Melchizedek? He remains a mysterious figure: “For this Melchizedek, King of Salem, priest of the Most High God…. without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, but made unto the Son of God, abideth a priest continually” (Hebrews 7:1-3).
Through the brief mention of Melchizedek and Abram, we can safely deduce that there is a priesthood older than that of, and superior to that of Levi.
Abram recognized Melchizedek as both King and priest by offering him tribute and participating in a sacrifice conducted by him. According to a Biblical scholar, Melchizedek was to be the true prototype of the Davidic ruler, Jesus Christ.
Characteristics And Features Pointing To Christ
As a true prototype of Christ in the Old Testament, he sets an important precedent for the Messiah. Though Jewish priests came from one tribe and kings from another, he combined these two offices in himself. Many writers have tried to fix a family line for Melchizedek, but this could be seen as an exercise in futility, for the scripture is silent on this.
It is difficult to imagine that any mere man could be said to be without a father or mother. Trying to fix a family lineage for him will just be in the realms of conjecture. The reader should be satisfied with the much the scripture reveals about him.
“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed 1 d belong unto us and to our children forever” (Deuteronomy 29:29).
Melchizedek possesses characteristics and features pointing to Christ. Christ is both King and Priest. He is also the prince of peace. Apart from these, He is also the embodiment of righteousness. Jesus Christ, no earthly, biological father. He remains a priest forever. He broke the wall of partition between God and man.
However, Christ’s priesthood is unique in that He was both the Priest and the sacrificial Lamb. He remains a Priest still in heaven, continually making intercession for us. Another feature shared by both Melchizedek and Christ is the lack of beginning and endlessness of life.
Jesus Christ is Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:11). The conception of Jesus Christ by a virgin attests to the fact that He is the Son of God.
Levitical Priesthood Inadequacy
(Hebrews 7:11-15; 9:1-14,24). The Levitical priesthood is inadequate for these reasons. It is earthly, while that of Christ is eternal. It does not bear an oath, while that of Christ does. The office was first occupied by Aaron. Eleazer succeeded him. So it ceases with the death of the occupier.
Fourthly, the high priest first had to atone for his sins before offering sacrifices for the people. He may even die in the course of duty if an error is made. That was the reason why a chain was tied around his waist. If he dies in the process, he would be pulled out, by the chain since the congregation could not enter into the holy of holies.
Christ is the Mediator of a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6). The fact that another priestly order was established proves that the priesthood of Aaron and his descendants did not achieve perfection. Since the Levitical priesthood was inadequate, it was changed. Christ then appears in the line of Melchizedek, eternal, peaceful. His sacrifice introduces and offers a better hope.
Jesus Christ is Supreme And Superior To Melchizedek (John 3:14-16; Matthew 1:20,21; 17:5; Hebrews 7:1-3).
The interest is not so much in Melchizedek as in the priesthood that he represents. No one was ever named like Melchizedek again. His priesthood has a bearing with that of Jesus Christ but still has its limitations. The blood is missing in Melchizedek. In this, Christ is greater.
Bible students should, however, not confuse the role of Melchizedek with that of the Lord Jesus Christ. Melchizedek appeared only one day in Bible history just like a flash in the pan. Reference was made to him in only three books of the Bible – Genesis, Psalms, and Hebrews.
However, Christ’s influence runs through the whole book of the Bible, whether concealed as in the Old Testament or revealed as in the New Testament. The uniqueness of the Lord Jesus Christ shines forth. He had become a Priest not by being born into a tribe of priests but by a life that has overcome death. Heaven bore witness to His uniqueness.
“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16, 17).
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said,
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matthew 17:5).
The angels of heaven worship Him and proclaim His superiority over all. That superiority was very much in evidence of His incarnation. The Lord hinted at it when he appeared to Joseph in a dream to rest his mind over Mary’s perplexing pregnancy.
Of the pregnancy, He made Joseph understand that it was unlike any other. Mary, He said, “shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
The record of His supreme sacrifice proves His uniqueness. He (Jesus Christ) is the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world. “And one of the elder’s saith unto me, weep not: behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book and loose the seven seals thereof”, “…Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing” (Revelation 5:5,12).
Melchizedek, no doubt, was a notable figure in the Bible. However, he is in no way to be compared with Jesus Christ, who shed His blood for the salvation of mankind.
“Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other names under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
FAQS
1. Who was Melchizedek?
Melchizedek was the King of Salem and a priest of the Highest God, mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 14 and Psalm 110. He is a mysterious figure with no recorded genealogy.
2. What lessons can we learn from the manner Abraham paid tithes to him?
Abraham paying tithes to Melchizedek teaches us about honoring and acknowledging the spiritual authority and blessings in our lives, even if they appear unexpectedly.
3. How is Melchizedek a type of Christ?
Melchizedek serves as a type of Christ in the Bible due to his dual role as a king and a priest, foreshadowing Christ’s role as both a spiritual king and a high priest.
4. What are the limitations of the Levitical priesthood?
The Levitical priesthood had limitations such as the need for regular sacrifices, an imperfect priesthood lineage, and an inability to offer eternal salvation, all of which were addressed through Christ’s priesthood.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the story of Melchizedek, the King of Salem, offers us a captivating glimpse into the depth and complexity of biblical narratives. His role as a priest and a king, his mysterious origins, and his connection to Christ’s priesthood have sparked theological debates and spiritual contemplation for centuries.
Melchizedek reminds us that within the pages of the Bible, there are hidden gems of wisdom and meaning waiting to be discovered. As we continue to study and reflect on figures like Melchizedek, we gain a deeper understanding of the intricate tapestry of faith, history, and spirituality that the Bible weaves, leaving us with enduring questions and a sense of wonder at the divine mysteries it holds.
