Melchizedek

Melchizdek

Genesis 14:1-20

Melchizedek’s name means “king of righteousness.”

Jesus is the Righteous King.

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;Acts 3:14

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.Jeremiah 23:5-6

Melchizedek is referred to the king of Salem or “king of peace.”

Jesus is referred to as the Prince of Peace.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.Isaiah 9:6

Melchizedek was a reigning king who also mediated as priest on behalf of his people.

Jesus is a prophet, but also a reigning king who mediates as priest on behalf of His people.

After a heroic victory where Abraham set captives free and spoiled the enemy, Melchizedek brought bread and wine, a foreshadowing of the Passover.

Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.Exodus 12:15

Prior to His heroic victory where Jesus would set captives free and spoil the enemy, Jesus brought bread and wine, a callback to the Passover and a foreshadowing of the crucifixion.

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.Luke 22:17-20

Melchizedek was a priest of the most high God long before Aaron and the Levitical priesthood.

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.Genesis 14:18

Jesus’ priesthood precedes and supercedes any other priesthood.

Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the 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 of 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 Melchisedec met him.Hebrews 7:4-10

Jesus is referred to in a Messianic Psalm as a priest after the order of Melchizedek, a priest and king.

A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until 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 shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.Psalm 110:1-5

Melchizedek blessed Abraham on God’s behalf.

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:Genesis 14:19

As High Priest, Jesus blesses us with all spiritual blessings as descendants of Abraham.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:Ephesians 1:3

Is Melchizedek a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus? Unlikely.

To whom also 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.Hebrews 7:2-3

It is important to note, Jesus did not resemble Mechizedek, but Melchizedek resembles Jesus.

Was Melchizedek an angel? Unsupported by the text.

What tribe was Melchizedek from? None.

What lineage did he come from? Noah.

Who were the people of Salem? Unknown.

Was Melchizedek a follower of Jehovah God? Yes.

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:Genesis 14:19

And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,Genesis 14:22

Under what covenant did Melchizedek function as priest? Unknown.

Whatever happened to Melchizedek? Unknown.

Abraham tithed before there was a Mosaic law. Giving 10% of what God has given you has been a minimum standard for God’s people since the beginning.

Melchizedek resembled Jesus in his characteristics and duties. We are called to resemble Jesus in our character and way of life.

While the Bible does not contain all of the answers, it provides all of the answers God intends us to have.