Joel M Bradshaw

17After 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). 18And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.–Genesis 14

Melchizedek is an interesting figure. He is listed in three other parts of the Bible. The Messianic Psalm 110 and in Hebrews 5 and 7.

The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4)

The author of Hebrews made it clear that Melchizedek was superior to Abram, for the superior one gives the blessing and receives the tithe. And that the later Levitical priests were represented by their great-grandfather Abraham, so they are therefore inferior to Melchizedek. So what Melchizedek represented in a priest was superior to that of Levi. And so if God’s Messiah Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek then his priesthood is superior to the one ordained by Moses.

This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. (Hebrews 7:22-28, with emphasis)

Abraham recognized something about Melchizedek and responded in sacrificial worship, even before the law and worship regulations were given. We respond to Jesus with the same attitude and actions. We submit, we praise, we give. Jesus sacrificed himself for us once for all, he saves us completely, and he intercedes for us even now. Have Abram’s attitude of worship, my friends. Welcome and thank you to our new subscribers!–JMB