Read:
Genesis 14:1-24; Hebrews 7:1-28
Lot
and his family is taken captive during the war between the kings and a servant
gets free and warns Abram who in turn arms 318 of his servants to pursue the
kings, overtake and defeat them setting Lot and family free.
What
is so amazing is that Abram had only 318 trained men to slaughter an
innumerable host of trained warriors of 4 kings. Not only that but Abram
divided them at night (v15) and slaughtered them. This is a tribute to God’s
awesome power to a righteous man. Surely, if God could do it for Abram, surely
He could do it for you and me. It doesn’t take a large army to defeat your
enemies when the Lord God is on your side.
Vs.18-24
records an interesting encounter with another king called Melchizedek, king of
Salem. It’s interesting for a number of reasons:
1. Neither
the name of Melchizedek nor Salem, his domain, are mentioned in the lists of
the 9 kings who fought against each other.
2. Melchizedek
was also the priest of the most high God. [under Moses law a king could not also be a priest]
3. Melchizedek
brought bread and wine (a pre-incarnate picture of Christ)
4. Melchizedek
blessed Abram admonishing Abram it was the most high God who delivered his
enemies into his hands.
5. Abram
paid tithes to Melchizedek of all the spoils taken.
6. If
God be for you, who can be against you? Rm.8:28-31.
Who
is Melchizedek?
From
the immediate text we are told three things about Melchizedek:
1. He
was the king of Salem [Salem means peace]
2. He
was the priest of the most high God
3. He
received Abram’s tithes
Hebrews
7:1-28 tells us more about this mysterious person.
Vs.
3 reveals an even more intriguing perspective:
·
He was without
father or mother
·
Without
descent [Melchizedek had/has not ancestry, recorded or otherwise.
·
He had no
beginning of days or end of life (no history of birth or death)
·
He
was made like unto the Son of God (the pre-incarnate Christ)
·
His priesthood was eternal [different from
the Levitical priesthood which changed vs.5
·
He also received tithes from Abraham vs.9
·
The priesthood was changed from Levi to
Melchizedek and was to be the priesthood
Jesus Christ was come from vs.12-22
·
Melchizedek’s priesthood did not come from
the tribe of Levi, which was authorized to attend the altar vs.11-12, but from
a tribe not assigned to altar duties, the tribe of Judah. Vs.14.
·
The priesthood of Jesus Christ will never
change; it is eternal; it is not after the works of the law, but of faith.
vs.21
Although
some scholars would water down the facts to assert that Melchizedek was a mere
man and not a deity or, more accurately a visible manifestation of the
pre-incarnate Christ. Sometimes in favor of personal opinion we miss the
evidence of the reality of Scripture.
Faith
Building Practice and Review
1.
List 6 important facts about Melchizedek.
2.
From what tribe was the priesthood ordered?
3.
From what tribe was Christ?
4.
What vital difference is there between the
Levitical priesthood and Christ’s?
5.
Was not Melchizedek a manifestation of the
pre-incarnate Christ? Explain.
6.
Was not Melchizedek a type of Christ?
Explain.
7.
Where would we be today if the priesthood
were still of Levi and not Judah?
8.
Do you see God’s love for us in changing the
priesthood?
9.
What about His mercy? Graciousness? Kindness?
Goodness? Compassion?
10. What
is significant about Melchizedek receiving tithes from Abram?
Knowing
God
A brief [not complete, add
to the list] synopsis of the persona of God:
·
Love
·
Gracious
·
Merciful
·
Righteous
·
Longsuffering
·
Gentle
·
Faithful
·
Compassionate
·
Forgiving
·
Friend
The ultimate goal of Bible study is to
know God and not to merely memorize Bible trivia. As you study, identify the
attributes of God. For instance: make a note when you read of God extending His
forgiveness or compassion, and remember how He has done the same for you.
