Higher Priesthood Of Melchizedek Series

Higher priesthood of Melchizedek

Let us dive into his biblical story and relevance for Christians today! Who was Melchizedek, mentioned in the Old and New Testaments? How was he a priest of God Most High? Why did Abram (Abraham) give him a tithe?

Melchizedek

Higher Priesthood of Melchizedek

Though not apparent to Abram at the time, the mysterious priesthood of Melchizedek pointed forward to the eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ. He ministers grace and mercy to us based on His sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 7:11–28).

Melchizedek was one of those puzzling people in the Bible who appears only briefly but is mentioned again as an example of holiness and righteous living. He was born in Salem, in Canaan, which later became Jerusalem. His name means "king of righteousness," and King of Salem's title means "king of peace." Melchizedek clung to God Most High and served him faithfully in an era of paganism and idolatry.

The Gracious Melchizedek

The startling fact about Melchizedek is that although he was not a Jew, he worshiped God Most High, the one true God. The Bible speaks of no other people in Canaan who worshipped the one true God. After God rescued the Jews from Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land, God ordered Joshua to destroy all the Canaanite tribes because they were wicked idolaters.

Melchizedek blessed Abram and later renamed Abraham after Abram rescued his nephew Lot from enemy captivity and brought him back with other people and goods. Abram honored Melchizedek by giving him one-tenth of the plunder of battle or a tithe. Melchizedek's graciousness is contrasted with the rudeness of the King of Sodom.

Melchizedek: The Theophany of Christ

God revealed himself to Abraham, but we do not know how Melchizedek learned of the true God. Monotheism, or worship of one God, was rare in the ancient world. Most people worshiped several gods. Some even had dozens of local or household gods represented by manufactured idols.

The Bible does not shed any light on Melchizedek's religious rituals either, except to mention that he brought out "bread and wine" for Abram. This act and Melchizedek's holiness have led some scholars to describe him as a type of Christ, one of those Bible people who show the same qualities as Jesus Christ, Savior of the World. This description fits with no record of Father or mother and no genealogical background in Scripture. Other scholars go a step further, theorizing that Melchizedek may have been a theophany of Christ or a manifestation of deity in temporary form. Putting it simply, a Theophany is described by Merriam Webster as a visible manifestation of a deity.

Understanding Jesus' status as our high priest is a key point in the Book of Hebrews. Just as Melchizedek was not born into the Levitical priesthood but was appointed by God, so Jesus was named our eternal high priest, interceding with God the Father on our behalf.

Hebrews 5:8-10 says: "Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek."

Life Lessons

Many "gods" compete for our attention, but only one true God exists. He is worthy of our worship and obedience. If we keep our focus on God instead of frightening circumstances, God will strengthen and encourage us so we can live a life pleasing to him.

The priesthood of Melchizedek required one sacrifice for sins (Jesus), whereas the Levitical priesthood made endless sacrifices daily. Melchizedek is seen as a divine being in the text and is referred to as "El" or "Elohim," titles usually reserved for God.

?Why is Melchizedek compared to Jesus?

Some Christians hold that Melchizedek was a type of Christ, while others hold that Melchizedek indeed was Christ.

In the episode, Melchizedek meets Abraham on his return from battle, gives him bread and wine (which has been interpreted by some Christian scholars as a precursor of the Eucharist so that Melchizedek's name entered the canon of the Roman mass), and blesses Abraham in the name of "God Most High" (in Hebrew El, ?Elyon). In return, Abraham gives him a tithe of the booty.

Melchizedek is an old Canaanite name meaning "My King Is [the god] Sedek" or "My King Is Righteousness" (the meaning of the similar Hebrew equivalent). Salem, of which he is said to be king, is probably Jerusalem. Psalm 76:2 refers to Salem to imply that it is synonymous with Jerusalem, and the reference in Genesis 14:17 to "the King's Valley" further confirms this identification. The God whom Melchizedek serves as a priest is "El ?Elyon," again a name of Canaanite origin, probably designating the high God of their pantheon - a group of exceptionally respected, famous, or important people.