Who Is Melizedeck?

Johnston, Dan

Abraham • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

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As Abraham finds himself victorious, he decided to worship God in a very meaningful way.

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OPENING STORY

Ibi married a rich doctor, Joseph Roncaioli

$20,000 a month + won $5 mil in Canada

Huge home, gated driveway, indoor pool and sauna

All lottery winnings were illegally transferred into her name alone

Gambled away all of the winnings and large portion of savings

Gave $2 million to son her husband didn’t know about

Assets totaled $300,000

Died from “multi-drug toxicity” from “a local anesthetic”

Convicted of manslaughter

After win actions are just as, if not more important

YouVersion: Who is Melchizedek?

We’re in Genesis 14:14-24

We’re going to jump ahead a bit...

On January 2, weather was bad and we didn’t meet

I released a sermon video from my home called “Winning in the Long Run”

You can watch that online - link in YouVersion

In that message, Abraham goes back to that spot between Bethel and Ai, where he made an altar before

Show map

Then, Abram and Lot’s people argue because there’s not enough land for them to share

That’s because God blessed them and they had too many possessions!

Abram says, “Okay, we can split. You pick your spot and then I’ll pick mine.”

Lot looks around, finds the best watered land near Dead Sea

Ends up going all the way around to Sodom - about 65 miles

Abraham takes Hebron - about 30 miles

Probably about 40 miles apart, depending exactly where they land

It’s like they start in Peoria around Dozer Park

Lot goes up around Dunlap and then heads over to Bloomington

Abram goes down to Canton

Then, a bunch of kings go to war, and as they’re taking over Sodom and Gomorrah, they take Lot

Genesis 14:14–16 (ESV)

14 When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.

Show map

Abraham finds out, chases them down north of Damascus

Attacks them in the middle of the night, takes Lot and his stuff and his people back with him

It’s important to remember who our victories come from

Heading back to Hebron, but something happens just before he gets home

Between Shechem and Hebron

Genesis 14:17 (ESV)

17 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).

I think Chedorlaomer is my favorite name in the Bible

I like Tychicus, Theophilus too

Oh, and Uz and Buz

And Ishbi-Benob

But Chedorlaomer is my favorite

It’s like, King Chedorlaomer and Mayor McCheese are fighting to the death!

Anyway...

Returns to Salem in Valley of Shaveh

Right near Salem - which was just a little village then

Today = Valley of Kidron, village became city = Urusalima

Otherwise know as, Jerusalem

Means “City of Peace”

Abram now meets with two different characters - King of Sodom and King of Salem

Genesis 14:18–20 (ESV)

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,

Possessor of heaven and earth;

20 and blessed be God Most High,

who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Melchizedek is one of the most mysterious figures in Scripture

Only in 4 places:

Genesis 14, Psalm 110, Hebrews 5, Hebrews 7

Here’s what we know:

He is good

Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”

Hebrews 7:1–2 (ESV)

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.

He’s a king

Of Salem, or Jerusalem

And He’s a priest (unusual)

II Chronicles 26:16-21 – King Uzziah gets in trouble

He’s a king and goes in the Temple to offer incense

A bunch of priests rush in to stop him

2 Chronicles 26:18 (ESV)

18 “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary, for you have done wrong, and it will bring you no honor from the Lord God.”

So Uzziah gets mad at the priests as he’s holding the scepter of incense

Instantly, leprosy breaks out on his forehead

Why? God ordered the descendents of Aaron to be priests

He wanted them separate from the office of king

However, Melchizedek’s priesthood is different from Aaron’s (Explain in Hebrews later)

Show priesthood chart

Pre-Israel (making it world-wide)

Not hereditary

Forever as opposed to being changed

Establishes the Messiah

We learn about Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1

You may wonder why these things are in Scripture, here’s why:

(Joseph’s genealogy - in Matthew 1:2, jump to 1:16 - says He’s from Judah, not Levi)

Matthew 1:2 (ESV)

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

Matthew 1:16 (ESV)

16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

(Mary’s genealogy - in Luke 3:23, jump to 3:30 - also says He’s from Judah, not Levi)

Luke 3:23 (ESV)

23 Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

Luke 3:30 (ESV)

30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,

Jesus didn’t belong to Aaron on His mom or earthly dad’s side!

Yet, hebrews 4:4 tells us Jesus is our High Priest

Melchizedek must be one of three people

1) A pagan who knows God

For example, Balaam in Numbers 22

Perhaps Melchizedek is simply a non-Israelite/pre-Israelite priest

2) A dual character

Some say Seth, Job, angel or Adam from another planet

The most popular is Shem – here’s why

1. Hebrew tradition

2. Shem was Abram’s (6) great grandpa

Show chart

100 years pre-flood

Almost 300 years pre Abram

175 years with Abram

And a few decades after him

(Although some say he died the same as Sarah)

Would be respected, knowledgeable + close to God

He literally knew what the world looked like before the flood!

Something no one else probably knew in Abraham’s day

Also, Jesus descended from Shem - which makes sense

PROBLEM - Here’s why I don’t think Melchizedek is Shem:

a) Melchizedek is continual priest (and so is Jesus)

Hebrews 7:11 ESV

11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?

Aaron’s priesthood ends, so we have two distinct priesthoods

One from Aaron, one from Melchizedek that Jesus comes from...

Let’s look at genealogy for a second:

Shem, Arphaxad, Salah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah, Abraham...

Isaac, Jacob, Levi, Kohath, Amram, AARON!!

If Shem was Melchizedek, his descendents (including Aaron) would probably inherit his priesthood

But Hebrews is saying they didn’t...

I believe that’s because Melchizedek had no descendents (just like Jesus)

Bigger problem is this:

Hebrews 7:3 ESV

3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.

b) No father or mother

Shem’s father was Noah, his mother was Emzara

c) Without genealogy

10 gens from Adam to Shem, and 15 to Aaron

d) He was never born and never dies

e) Made like the Son of God (Shem is nothing like Jesus)

Some say “a son of God” means angels or Seth’s line

Angelic, means created directly by God (like Christ)

If it’s Seth’s, it wouldn’t be worth mentioning

f) Language is mysterious. If it’s Shem, why not say it?

Might say, Melchizedek is not a name, it’s a title

If I say “offer to king of righteousness” who would you think?

Here’s my opinion of the answer...

3) A special heavenly being

Big reason: No mother/father and isn’t born/doesn’t die

For Shem, this becomes figurative

Pagan priest has no explanation (except at least both 1/3)

Most figurative language is poetry or ID’s itself

Let’s look at what we know about him:

He is a king of righteousness, peace and Jerusalem

He is a continual, priest of the most high

Priesthood is perfect and unchangeable, akin to Christ’s

He has no mother, father or genealogy

He was never born and never dies

And is like the Son of God

He even brings out bread and wine!

Who does that sound like to you? JESUS!

Scholars say this is a Theophany or Christophany (explain)

Cannot conclude 100% this is preincarnate Christ

But it sure is a good guess!

If not Jesus Himself, he is similar being with same Priesthood

His appearance is surely a picture of Christ somehow

Referred to as a “typology” or ‘type of Christ”

We really see Christ over and over again in the Bible

John 1 – He was present/active at creation

Pentateuch – Typified as sacrifice (scapegoat, Passover +)

Prophesy in Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel

Gospels - Are His story

Epistles – Are His teachings

Revelation – His return and reign

This entire bible is all about Jesus!

Reason for Melchizedek:

Christ is present at our best and worst moments

Here, Abraham is in great moment, and he worships

We have to learn from this!

My moments: Getting married, children, ministry call, leaving the mill, leaving CA, leaving NC, coming here

In all those moments, God should be worshipped as we pause

Let’s look at Abraham’s worship:

Genesis 14:20 (ESV)

20 and blessed be God Most High,

who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Might be scared; OH NO! A TITHING MESSAGE!

Abraham just had victory, he wants to thank God!

We should do the same! We have victory over death!

Special moments call for us to worship

Heart issue; if you think I’m trying to take your money to be selfish, it’s okay if you leave

But I still say make sure you tithe at your next church!

Here’s the thing, I know giving is a sore subject for some people

It’s supposed to be, because money is important to us

For some reason we’re embarrassed about it - almost apologetic

“I’m so sorry we’re asking you to give tithes and offerings, please forgive us!”

As if we’re supposed to say, “Don’t worry, money isn’t important to God so you just keep it!”

God never says money isn’t important - quite the opposite

Giving is an important discipline that not everyone has developed

I don’t want to guilt you into giving, but I am going to speak truth

If you’re not a Christian, there’s no need to give (it’s an act of worship)

If you’re angry about it, there’s no need to give (God wants us cheerful)

But it’s a very important thing to understand

Because tithing isn’t for the church, it’s not to support the pastors or pay for your sins

It’s to give back to God what always threatens to take His place

You can’t serve God and money - they are both demanding masters

We don’t give because God needs it...

We give because we need to learn to let go of it!

Matthew 6:21 (ESV)

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Giving money to the church can be hard

Many of us don’t become Christians until we’re older and already have spending habits

Man, how am I supposed to find 10% of what I don’t have to give to God?!

I get it, learning to tithe was a process for me

That’s why it’s part of a mature Christian’s actions

Giving reveals what is important to us

It’s funny, we try so hard to make ourselves righteous in why we don’t give

OT says tithe (1/10th), NT says give what you can - I can only give $20

Maybe that’s true - and it’s between you and God

But I know that isn’t true for most of us

Here’s reality:

1) We live in America, we can give well over 10%

Maybe you can’t after upgrading your house, TV, fast food and drinking 10 Frappuccino’s a week

We take “give what you can” and translate it as “give what’s leftover”

That’s not the same thing

Also, Abraham tithes to Melchizedek, who is NEVER under the OT Law!

If tithing was for Melchizedek, Jesus is from his order

Why would we assume tithing is not our duty to Jesus as well?

3) I give 10% of my time

That’s great, I think it’s awesome to do that

But time doesn’t replace money

The saying “time is money!”

Great, then you own Him for your money money, and your time money to!

There’s 168 hours in a week - so are you giving God 16.8 hours a week?

Let me reel this back in - all I’m saying is that God wants us to give generously and cheerfully

And we do it because it’s an act of worship -

If you’re not giving, let’s call it what it is: it’s an area of discipline where you haven’t matured yet

Know what? That’s okay! Not all of us are on the same maturity level

But we shouldn’t pretend like there’s some righteous reason to not give

Odds are, if you don’t give, it’s because it’s hard!

And that is EXACTLY the point...

Because money is so important, nobody will give it to God unless He’s really important to you

That’s what God wants - your desire to worship Him

Robert Morris: “Tithing is believing that God can do more with 90% than you can with 100%.”

Tithing is not a requirement issue, it’s a heart issue

If you don’t want to give back to God, then don’t

But why wouldn’t you want to?! I LOVE tithing!

We always pray for tithes and offerings because it’s an act of worship

When Abram gave, he shows who he gave thanks and credit to for his victory

When we give, it shows who we give thanks and credit for ours too

We’ve seen Melchizedek, let’s see king of Sodom

Genesis 14:21 (ESV)

21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.”

When Abraham attacked, he rescued people for the king of Sodom too

He says hey, return the people but keep the stuff to say thanks

It’s reasonable, rewarding Abram for returning what he lost

I’m sure Abram was tempted, but he learned his lesson

Genesis 14:22–24 (ESV)

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”

Illustration: Jordan Autograph

Worth a lot of money, but there is a problem... its fake!

1) No one wants your signature

2) Faking a signature destroys value

Who’s signature do you have?

The same goes for Abram’s victory...

I think Abraham has learned this about himself

Take payment = take credit = fake

Don’t let anything else take credit for God’s work

He is out of the business of material, and into the business of pursuing God

First of all, he is now following God’s plan

When Lot was taken, he made oath for God’s help

Second, wants God to get the glory

Abram knows God’s promise, and that’s enough

To go further, he lets his allies take their spoils!

But he refuses to put the sinful king on his side (King of SODOM)

Because having God on his side is far more important

And Abram knows that God is the one who has blessed him

Why let the King of Sodom take the credit for what God’s doing

For us, our pursuits should be for God and not ourselves

ILLUSTRATION: Tim FitzHigham crosses English Channel

He was wise enough to seek the higher authority of Britain to accomplish his goals