MELCHIZEDEK

Let’s meet the mysterious Melchizedek, a type of Christ.

Melchizedek was NOT a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus. We can say with assurance that this is not a Christophany, for the New Testament writer to the Hebrews considers him a “great… man” (Hebrews 7:4). Melchizedek was a human, but he certainly reflects and foreshadows Jesus.

When Abraham followed God to Canaan, God showered him with blessings and soon Abraham became rich and powerful. So large were his holdings that he had to separate from Lot, his nephew, because their flocks were too numerous to pasture in the same place. It was after their separation that Abraham was called upon to rescue Lot from the hands of enemy forces (Genesis 13-14).

On Abraham’s victorious return, “Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High. He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything” (Genesis 14:18–20).

Melchizedek was the “king of Salem” … the king of peace. (Salem means peace.)

Melchizedek was “priest to God Most High.”

So great was Melchizedek that Abraham gave him a tithe, “tenth of everything.”

As a great king and priest, Melchizedek declared, “Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.”

The New Testament confirms this encounter. “Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace (Hebrews 7:1-2).

Melchizedek’s “name means king of righteousness.”

Melchizedek’s name didn’t appear in any of Genesis’s many genealogies. We’re not told who his parents were, and we’re not told when and where he was buried. He just jumps onto the page, and then disappears. Why?

Melchizedek point us to Jesus… the greatest King of Peace … King of Righteousness … Priest to God Most High … forever and always, worthy of our worship!

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).