Mysterious Melchizedek Series

Intro

Here is a question in recognizing greatness. Who was the greatest man of the Old Testament? The answer might surprise you. It is Melchizedek. Wow and he is only mentioned twice in the Old Testament Genesis 14:18-20 and Psalms 110:4. We get a little more about this mysterious king found in Hebrews chapters 5 and 7. A study of Melchizedek also has some profound teaching for us to live by.

One Scottish preacher, Bill Freel said, “If you grasp the significance of Melchizedek you have entered into a spiritual wonderland”. In Genesis 14 Melchizedek is observed historically. In Psalm 110 Melchizedek is spoken of prophetically and in Hebrews 5 & 7 Melchizedek is applied doctrinally.

Historical context

Here is a little background from Genesis 14. Abram is in a battle against four kings that captured his nephew Lot. Abram won the battle with his servants and allies and rescued Lot and also received the spoils of the victory of the battle.

He was met by Melchizedek the priest of the Most High God. This mysterious priest is also the King of Salem. We know this now as Jerusalem. Melchizedek is a king and a priest. This is a unique combination to be a priest and a king. Abram gave a tithe, a tenth to Melchizedek the priest/king.

There are three verses that are specifically related to Melchizedek in the historical account.

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 praise be to God Most High,

who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Genesis 14:18-20

Melchizedek prophetically.

So far, we still don’t know too much about Melchizedek from the three verses in Genesis 14. But we also have an important reference to Melchizedek in Psalm 110, the Messianic Psalm.

The LORD has sworn

and will not change his mind:

“You are a priest forever,

in the order of Melchizedek.”

Psalm 110:4

Jesus uses Psalm 110 to silence his critics, the Pharisees, recorded in Matthew 22:44. He asks the Pharisees, “Whose son is the Messiah David? How could David call him Lord”? The Messiah was before King David. The Messiah is in the order of Melchizedek. This is an awesome prophecy that Jesus uses to confirms that he is the awaited Messiah.

Melchizedek doctrinally

Hebrews 5:5-10

5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” 6 And he says in another place,

“You are a priest forever,

in the order of Melchizedek.”

7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:1-18

This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared: