“Melchizedek…”

September 21, 2016

“Melchizedek…”

Blessings folk!

Hang on!

These next verses are a curious passage about an enigmatic character.

Too often, we just read quickly through such passages…to our loss.

These are foundational to understanding other portions of the Word.

Read carefully.

Gen 14:17-20

Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.

He blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;

And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
He gave him a tenth of all.


Abram is returning from victory over Chedorlaomer.
The King of Sodom comes and greets him.

Melchizedek, king of Salem also greets Abram…with bread and wine.
We learn that Melchizedek was a priest of God Most High.
A most interesting thing.
Long before the Mosaic/Levitical law Melchizedek is called a priest of God Most High.
He was king of Salem (JeruSalem!).
He knew God.

But how?
Abram was called by God to inhabit the land.
Abram was to be the father of the people of the Lord.
Yet, here is Melchizedek.

But, there is more.
Melchizedek blesses Abram.

  • blessed of God Most High…Possessor of heaven and earth

Melchizedek blessed God Most High
  • Who delivered Abram enemies into Abram’s hand

Then this…he gave him a tenth of all.

Abram gave a tenth of all he captured to Melchizedek.
Why?

Many will point to this passage to begin a discussion about “the tithe”…tithe/tenth are synonymous.

But, there was no command.
There was no instruction of God.
There was no Law.

Abram simply gave a tenth to Melchizedek.
Likely in honor of him.
In honor of his God - the Most High God.

But wait…there is more… Happy