The Mystery Of Melchizedek
The Mystery of Melchizedek!
Few People in the Bible have attracted more interest than this mysterious person Melchizedek. Who was he?
We read in Hebrews 6:19-20 that Jesus Christ, after His resurrection, went behind the curtain in the sanctuary as a High Priest forever
"in the order of Melchizedek."
Melchizedek Was God's Priest
In the Old Testament Melchizedek, was a priest of the Most High God.
And in the New Testament Jesus Christ is our priest before the Most High God.
Now lets turn to the account in Genesis 14.
There was a war between several ancient city-states in land of Canaan
and Mesopotamia, where Abraham was living.
Abraham's nephew Lot had been captured.
He and his family and goods had been carried off by the attacking nations.
One of the captives escaped and brought news about what had happened,
to Abraham.
Abraham immediately armed 318 of his own servants and chased down those invaders to a place that someday would be named Dan.
Abraham and his men rescued Lot and his family and everything else that had been taken.
Abraham brought them safely home to their Canaanite cities.
As Abraham is returning home, a man of mystery bursts upon the scene.
Abraham is ministered to by this Melchizedek.
Here's the account:
Genesis 14:18-20 (NIV)
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And blessed be God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand.”
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Did you notice that Melchizedek was king of Salem.
The city of Salem is the city that we call Jerusalem today.
"Salem" comes from the Hebrew word meaning "peace."
That would make Melchizedek the "King of Peace" (Hebrews 7:2).
The Hebrew name Melchizedek itself means "King of Righteousness" (Hebrews 7:2). David ties Melchizedek to Jesus in Psalm 110:4. when he is prophesying about Jesus Christ.
David stated: "The Lord has sworn, and will not change His mind, You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek." This verse is quoted again in Hebrews 5:6,