"Beginning
With Moses and the Prophets"
With Moses and the Prophets"
<Man
With No Records - Melchizedek - Part II >
With No Records - Melchizedek - Part II >
Genesis
14; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7: 1 - 10
14; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7: 1 - 10
Introduction
Abram had taken his 318 trained commandos on a perfectly planned
operation; he didn’t have access to Sun Tzu’s ``The Art of War’ but I wouldn’t
be surprised that maybe Sun Tzu himself drew from Abram’s strategy and tactics.
operation; he didn’t have access to Sun Tzu’s ``The Art of War’ but I wouldn’t
be surprised that maybe Sun Tzu himself drew from Abram’s strategy and tactics.
In any case, Abram went against a considerable force with only a
small company size group that certainly wasn’t a close match for those armies
that had overwhelmed the five cities & their armies.
small company size group that certainly wasn’t a close match for those armies
that had overwhelmed the five cities & their armies.
The odds may have been comparable to Gideon’s 300 battling against
135,000 Midianites later. (Judges 6:7; 8:10). The enemies of God & His
people are usually defeated by being put to flight. They become confused
& end up going against each other - for instance when Ammon, Moab, &
Mount Seir came against Judah when Jehoshapat was king, in 2 Chronicles 20
verses 21-22. -
135,000 Midianites later. (Judges 6:7; 8:10). The enemies of God & His
people are usually defeated by being put to flight. They become confused
& end up going against each other - for instance when Ammon, Moab, &
Mount Seir came against Judah when Jehoshapat was king, in 2 Chronicles 20
verses 21-22. -
Abram had attacked the invading forces; possibly they were resting
in their victories & caught in total surprise. - Possibly they fled and
Abram chased them as far as north of damascus.
in their victories & caught in total surprise. - Possibly they fled and
Abram chased them as far as north of damascus.
Abram returns from the slaughter of
Chedorlaomer’s forces & coalition of four other kings -- He returns with
Lot his nephew, the rest of the captives, all the women, the people & the
goods that were taken.
Chedorlaomer’s forces & coalition of four other kings -- He returns with
Lot his nephew, the rest of the captives, all the women, the people & the
goods that were taken.
Encountering the Man with no Record
We come to what is said to be one of the most
intriguing, fascinating, thought provoking stories in the Bible. The mysterious
Melchizedek - The King of salem and priest of the most High God. Verses 18 -
20. Three verses, that is all that is said about this man named Melchizedek.
The only other place where he is mentioned in the Old Testament is in Psalm
110:4. The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a
priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." That’s it. So why
should we know about this mysterious man, is he important? We go back or up to
Luke 24 where in verses 25-27 Jesus is talking to the two guys walking to
Emaus, who happened to be disciples of His, Cleopas and another, "O
foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter
into his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he
interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
intriguing, fascinating, thought provoking stories in the Bible. The mysterious
Melchizedek - The King of salem and priest of the most High God. Verses 18 -
20. Three verses, that is all that is said about this man named Melchizedek.
The only other place where he is mentioned in the Old Testament is in Psalm
110:4. The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a
priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." That’s it. So why
should we know about this mysterious man, is he important? We go back or up to
Luke 24 where in verses 25-27 Jesus is talking to the two guys walking to
Emaus, who happened to be disciples of His, Cleopas and another, "O
foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter
into his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he
interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
That’s one reason, Jesus said that the things
concerning Himself were in the Scriptures. In 32 AD all the Scriptures were the
Old Testament of today. But also, Melchizedek is one gateway that the Lord God
has provided to tell us about Christ.
concerning Himself were in the Scriptures. In 32 AD all the Scriptures were the
Old Testament of today. But also, Melchizedek is one gateway that the Lord God
has provided to tell us about Christ.
But what can you get from three relatively
short verses? You have what you need in the Letter to the Hebrews. A letter
that know body knows who wrote it; though some believe it was Paul.
short verses? You have what you need in the Letter to the Hebrews. A letter
that know body knows who wrote it; though some believe it was Paul.
The author was trying to convince people that a
religious system of sacrifices, rituals, and rules that had been in place for
about 1400 years was now replaced by a better way. He focuses on the supremacy
of Jesus Christ who is the fulfillment of all that was written by Moses &
the Jewish prophets. In this letter the author introduces a theme that is only
treated in this letter, that Jesus Christ is our High Priest.
religious system of sacrifices, rituals, and rules that had been in place for
about 1400 years was now replaced by a better way. He focuses on the supremacy
of Jesus Christ who is the fulfillment of all that was written by Moses &
the Jewish prophets. In this letter the author introduces a theme that is only
treated in this letter, that Jesus Christ is our High Priest.
We need to know about Melchizedek because he is
a type of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we all, you out there need to know about
Jesus Christ.
a type of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we all, you out there need to know about
Jesus Christ.
Melchizedek, some ancient Jewish commentators
have identified Melchizedek with Shem, he was thought to have lived until
Abram’s time; but others say that if this was so, Moses or David or even the
writer of Hebrews would have made something of this.
have identified Melchizedek with Shem, he was thought to have lived until
Abram’s time; but others say that if this was so, Moses or David or even the
writer of Hebrews would have made something of this.
Still other commentators theorized that
Melchizedek was a Christophany, that is a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ,
instead of a historical person, a real flesh and blood man. Hebrews 7:3 doesn’t
allow for this, him being a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, it reads, resembling
the Son of God. The use of “resembling” always assumes two distinct
identities - Melchizedek & the Son if God were distinct persons - He
resembled Christ. Much the same when we compare two persons who may look alike
or not yet act the same, have the same demeanor, bearing, behavior, we say they
resemble each other. Melchizedek resembled Christ.
Melchizedek was a Christophany, that is a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ,
instead of a historical person, a real flesh and blood man. Hebrews 7:3 doesn’t
allow for this, him being a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, it reads, resembling
the Son of God. The use of “resembling” always assumes two distinct
identities - Melchizedek & the Son if God were distinct persons - He
resembled Christ. Much the same when we compare two persons who may look alike
or not yet act the same, have the same demeanor, bearing, behavior, we say they
resemble each other. Melchizedek resembled Christ.
A Type of Christ in Dignity of His Person
Melchizedek was the residing Canaanite
Priest-king of Salem which many say will be Jerusalem later. Abram was a
descendant of Shem, Melchizedek a descendant of Canaan. But like abram,
Melchizedek had come to believe in the One True God.
Priest-king of Salem which many say will be Jerusalem later. Abram was a
descendant of Shem, Melchizedek a descendant of Canaan. But like abram,
Melchizedek had come to believe in the One True God.
All we know of Melchizedek comes from Genesis
14:18-20; Psalm 110:4; & Hebrews 7. Genesis is the historical account, the
prophetic is Psalm 11, & the theological is in Hebrews.
14:18-20; Psalm 110:4; & Hebrews 7. Genesis is the historical account, the
prophetic is Psalm 11, & the theological is in Hebrews.
We have the original story where Melchizedek is
brinning refreshments to Abram & the weary men - It seems that the author
of Hebrews passes over the easy parallel of Melchizedek meeting Abram with
bread & wine - but focuses on other points that are just as, if not more
so, important. One is that Melchizedek was both priest & king in the same
person - (Hebrews 7:1).
brinning refreshments to Abram & the weary men - It seems that the author
of Hebrews passes over the easy parallel of Melchizedek meeting Abram with
bread & wine - but focuses on other points that are just as, if not more
so, important. One is that Melchizedek was both priest & king in the same
person - (Hebrews 7:1).
He was a righteous king & priest but as
Calvin & other commentators point out, he lived with Sodom on one side
& the pagan Canaanites on the other. - Listen, that brings up a great
point; God can raise up godly witnesses for Himself where & when He
pleases. I think Isaiah 55: 9-11 fits right in - For [as] the heavens are
higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts
than your thoughts. 10 "For as the rain and the snow comes down from
heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear
and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11 So will
My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding [in the matter] for
which I sent it.
Calvin & other commentators point out, he lived with Sodom on one side
& the pagan Canaanites on the other. - Listen, that brings up a great
point; God can raise up godly witnesses for Himself where & when He
pleases. I think Isaiah 55: 9-11 fits right in - For [as] the heavens are
higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts
than your thoughts. 10 "For as the rain and the snow comes down from
heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear
and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11 So will
My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding [in the matter] for
which I sent it.
Abram, living smack-dab in the middle of the
pagan moon-worshipping cult in Ur of the Chaldeans and God calls to him.
Melchizedek, in the middle of Canaanite society - His neighbors being the
Sodomites & the Gomorrahmites.
pagan moon-worshipping cult in Ur of the Chaldeans and God calls to him.
Melchizedek, in the middle of Canaanite society - His neighbors being the
Sodomites & the Gomorrahmites.
The Canaanites a people that the Lord ordered
Joshua to destroy because of the
corrupting influence they would have if their false religious system were
allowed to survive. We know that unfortunately Israel disobeyed God and did not
utterly destroy these pagan people. This disobedience eventually led to their own
captivity. The people that lived in Canaan were not ignorant of the God of
Israel. Many times the impression is given that God ordered the Israelites to
swoop in and destroy innocent people. But these people were neither innocent
nor ignorant. They had heard about the God of Israel but had rejected
Him.
Joshua to destroy because of the
corrupting influence they would have if their false religious system were
allowed to survive. We know that unfortunately Israel disobeyed God and did not
utterly destroy these pagan people. This disobedience eventually led to their own
captivity. The people that lived in Canaan were not ignorant of the God of
Israel. Many times the impression is given that God ordered the Israelites to
swoop in and destroy innocent people. But these people were neither innocent
nor ignorant. They had heard about the God of Israel but had rejected
Him.
Well, here we have the king of Salem, later
to be Jerusalem, & Priest of the most High God, and like Melchizedel, Jesus
is both King & Priest in one person.
to be Jerusalem, & Priest of the most High God, and like Melchizedel, Jesus
is both King & Priest in one person.
The name Melchizedek; made up of two words:
melchi meaning ‘my king’ & zedek meaning ‘righteousness.’ Salem, related to
shalom / salaam - ‘peace. The king of righteousness & peace - A king can’t
have true peace in his kingdom unless both he & his kingdom are righteous.
melchi meaning ‘my king’ & zedek meaning ‘righteousness.’ Salem, related to
shalom / salaam - ‘peace. The king of righteousness & peace - A king can’t
have true peace in his kingdom unless both he & his kingdom are righteous.
In 1 John 2:1 My little children, I am
writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we
have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we
have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
Our Lord Jesus doesn’t just imputes &
impart righteousness to others; He is righteous in His very being - He never
sinned, there was no guilt found in Him - He is the Lamb of God, no blemishes,
spotless. (1 Peter 1:19); Holy & innocent (Hebrews 7:26); no violence in
Him, no deceit in His mouth, (Isa. 53:9). He will reign in righteousness when
He returns, (Rev.19:11); Isaiah 9:7, There will be no end to the increase
of [His] government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on
and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.
impart righteousness to others; He is righteous in His very being - He never
sinned, there was no guilt found in Him - He is the Lamb of God, no blemishes,
spotless. (1 Peter 1:19); Holy & innocent (Hebrews 7:26); no violence in
Him, no deceit in His mouth, (Isa. 53:9). He will reign in righteousness when
He returns, (Rev.19:11); Isaiah 9:7, There will be no end to the increase
of [His] government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on
and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.
Ephesians 2:14-18 tells us that Jesus is the
king of peace - He has brought peace between sinners & God; peace among all
that live under His Lordship - So having been declared righteous by faith, we
have peace with God through Jesus Christ, (Romans 5:1).
king of peace - He has brought peace between sinners & God; peace among all
that live under His Lordship - So having been declared righteous by faith, we
have peace with God through Jesus Christ, (Romans 5:1).
If you know Jesus Christ as your king of
righteousness & peace you will grow in righteous behavior & will pursue
peace with others, (Romans 14:17,19).
righteousness & peace you will grow in righteous behavior & will pursue
peace with others, (Romans 14:17,19).
Melchizedek foreshadows Christ’s qualifications
Being a priest in Israel was totally dependent
on family lineage - All priests came from the tribe of Levi - Don’t even think
of applying if you’re not from Levi - Nehemiah 7: 61-64 -- These [were]
they who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon and Immer; but they
could not show their fathers' houses or their descendants, whether they were of
Israel: 62 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 642. 63
Of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai,
who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai, the Gileadite, and was named
after them. 64 These searched [among] their ancestral registration, but it
could not be located; therefore they were considered unclean [and excluded]
from the priesthood.
on family lineage - All priests came from the tribe of Levi - Don’t even think
of applying if you’re not from Levi - Nehemiah 7: 61-64 -- These [were]
they who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon and Immer; but they
could not show their fathers' houses or their descendants, whether they were of
Israel: 62 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 642. 63
Of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai,
who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai, the Gileadite, and was named
after them. 64 These searched [among] their ancestral registration, but it
could not be located; therefore they were considered unclean [and excluded]
from the priesthood.
Now Melchizedek was Without father,
without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of
life, but made like the Son of God; he remains a priest perpetually.
(Heb. 7:3) Yet he was a priest of the Most High God, (Heb. 7:1).
without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of
life, but made like the Son of God; he remains a priest perpetually.
(Heb. 7:3) Yet he was a priest of the Most High God, (Heb. 7:1).
As was mentioned earlier, some commentators
inferred that because of this in 7:3, Melchizedek was an angel or a
pre-incarnate appearance of Christ - But the writer’s point in the Genesis
account is that his genealogy isn’t mentioned or his birth or death, using what
is a rabbinical interpretation from silence, giving a type of what would be the
qualification of Christ in the flesh.
inferred that because of this in 7:3, Melchizedek was an angel or a
pre-incarnate appearance of Christ - But the writer’s point in the Genesis
account is that his genealogy isn’t mentioned or his birth or death, using what
is a rabbinical interpretation from silence, giving a type of what would be the
qualification of Christ in the flesh.
Melchizedek had no priestly genealogy through
Levi or Aaron - obviously - Jesus, in effect, was without genealogy - The point
being that as Melchizedek, Jesus’ priesthood was based solely on the call of
God, not on heredity; Jesus & Melchizedek were appointed as priest[s] of
the most high God.
Levi or Aaron - obviously - Jesus, in effect, was without genealogy - The point
being that as Melchizedek, Jesus’ priesthood was based solely on the call of
God, not on heredity; Jesus & Melchizedek were appointed as priest[s] of
the most high God.
Jesus’ human lineage is given in Matthew &
Luke, but He did not come from the priestly tribe of Levi, but from Judah to
show His right to be King.
Luke, but He did not come from the priestly tribe of Levi, but from Judah to
show His right to be King.
To be our High Priest forever, Jesus had to be
of a different priestly order - namely that of Melchizedek. -- Melchizedek was
a priest of an order where natural descent wasn’t regarded, it was free from
the restrictions of the later Levitical restrictions in Number 3:10.
of a different priestly order - namely that of Melchizedek. -- Melchizedek was
a priest of an order where natural descent wasn’t regarded, it was free from
the restrictions of the later Levitical restrictions in Number 3:10.
Therefore, he was an accurate type of Christ
who didn’t belong to the Tribe of Levi.
who didn’t belong to the Tribe of Levi.
“Having neither beginning of days nor end of
life” - The Jewish priests had a beginning of days as priest at age 25,
(Numbers 8:24) and at age 30 they began their priestly duties; and their
priestly life ended, better said, stopped, at age 50, (Number 8:25).
life” - The Jewish priests had a beginning of days as priest at age 25,
(Numbers 8:24) and at age 30 they began their priestly duties; and their
priestly life ended, better said, stopped, at age 50, (Number 8:25).
There was no priestly, Levitical,
restriction on the priestly ministry of Melchizedek - There was no Levitical
tribe - Here also in this was a type of Christ. but made like the Son of
God, he remains a priest perpetually. Or you can say, “assimilated” to
the Son of God - Note that it is not the Son of God who was made like or
assimilated to Melchizedek but vice versa.
restriction on the priestly ministry of Melchizedek - There was no Levitical
tribe - Here also in this was a type of Christ. but made like the Son of
God, he remains a priest perpetually. Or you can say, “assimilated” to
the Son of God - Note that it is not the Son of God who was made like or
assimilated to Melchizedek but vice versa.
The silence of the Scripture record as to
Melchizedek’s “days” suggest a continuous priesthood past age 50 that
foreshadows what is fulfilled in Jesus Christ who ministers continually without
interruption.
Melchizedek’s “days” suggest a continuous priesthood past age 50 that
foreshadows what is fulfilled in Jesus Christ who ministers continually without
interruption.
Let’s conclude with this, that the priesthood
of Melchizedek, even though it has the briefest mention in Holy Scripture, is
superior in every Biblical & logical way to the Old Testament Levitical
priesthood.
of Melchizedek, even though it has the briefest mention in Holy Scripture, is
superior in every Biblical & logical way to the Old Testament Levitical
priesthood.
Keeping in mind that it was only a type of the
superior priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ who is a “priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4).
superior priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ who is a “priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4).
As the anti-type to the type, Jesus supersedes
it, the “type”; just like the real thing supersedes a photograph.
it, the “type”; just like the real thing supersedes a photograph.
Melchizedek was the king of righteousness &
peace but he could never make men righteous or give them peace - Melchizedek
was only a type.
peace but he could never make men righteous or give them peace - Melchizedek
was only a type.
Jesus the true, the eternal Melchizedekian
Priest-King gives both, righteousness & peace.
Priest-King gives both, righteousness & peace.
As to righteousness - He is righteousness
incarnate, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous; (1 John 2:1) ---
incarnate, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous; (1 John 2:1) ---
He is the essence of righteousness, the source,
the sum of righteousness - now apart from the Law [the] righteousness of
God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even
[the] righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who
believe; (Rom.3:21-22) not having a righteousness of my own
derived from [the] Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the
righteousness which [comes] from God on the basis of faith, (Philippians
3:9).
the sum of righteousness - now apart from the Law [the] righteousness of
God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even
[the] righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who
believe; (Rom.3:21-22) not having a righteousness of my own
derived from [the] Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the
righteousness which [comes] from God on the basis of faith, (Philippians
3:9).
Jesus is the priestly mediator of righteousness
- As our Melchizedekian priest He prays for the working out of His
righteousness in every single area of our lives - He is forever our king &
priest of righteousness.
- As our Melchizedekian priest He prays for the working out of His
righteousness in every single area of our lives - He is forever our king &
priest of righteousness.
As to Peace - He is our King of Peace
that comes with the gift of righteousness; in sequence, righteousness &
peace.
that comes with the gift of righteousness; in sequence, righteousness &
peace.
Jesus is Peace, The Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9:6
-- Jesus is the source, the sum, the essence of peace, all
peace - There is no peace without Jesus.
-- Jesus is the source, the sum, the essence of peace, all
peace - There is no peace without Jesus.
The angels sang at His birth, Glory to
God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.
(Luke 2:14); On the eve of His death He said, Peace I leave with you; My
peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. (John
14:27); He came to His disciples after His glorious resurrection with the
words, Peace with you, (John 20:19).
God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.
(Luke 2:14); On the eve of His death He said, Peace I leave with you; My
peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. (John
14:27); He came to His disciples after His glorious resurrection with the
words, Peace with you, (John 20:19).
As our eternal priest He mediates our growth in
peace as he prays for us -
peace as he prays for us -
Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, the Son of God,
God with us, our High Priest forever after the Order of Melchizedek is praying
for our shalom- our wholeness & well-being.
God with us, our High Priest forever after the Order of Melchizedek is praying
for our shalom- our wholeness & well-being.
He is praying right for it now, this very day,
this very moment in time, tonight, tomorrow, everyday for all believers in the
world, until He returns -
this very moment in time, tonight, tomorrow, everyday for all believers in the
world, until He returns -
Righteousness & peace have kissed Christ
& that is the kiss that the King repeatedly bestows on His beloved Bride,
His Church.
& that is the kiss that the King repeatedly bestows on His beloved Bride,
His Church.
This is the offer of the Gospel, yesterday,
today & tomorrow to every heart that comes to Christ by faith,
today & tomorrow to every heart that comes to Christ by faith,
Alleluia! bread of heaven, here on earth our food
and stay
and stay
Alleluia! here the sinful flee to thee from day
to day
to day
Intercessor, Friend of sinners, earth’s Redeemer,
plead for me
plead for me
Where the songs of all the sinless sweep across
the crystal sea.
the crystal sea.
Alleluia! King eternal, thee the Lord of Lords we
own
own
Alleluia! born of Mary, earth thy footstool,
heaven thy throne
heaven thy throne
Thou within the veil hast entered, robed in
flesh,
flesh,
our great High Priest
Thou on earth both Priest and Victim in the
Eucharistic Feast.
Eucharistic Feast.
