Roots of Faith

‘Mystery man’ was a king as well as a model of eternal priesthood


 

 

The ongoing One-Hit Wonders series highlights people mentioned briefly in Scripture who hold a great influence. Melchizedek appears in only two verses in Genesis, yet the author of the Book of Hebrews devotes an entire chapter to him.

In Genesis 14, several kings waged war. Among their captives was Lot, Abram’s nephew, and his family. Abram recruited soldiers and defeated the kings in battle. This is the only time that Abram was described as a military leader, but his goal in attacking was not for wealth but to rescue kin.

When Abram returned home with his relatives and the spoils of war, two rulers greeted him: the king of Sodom, the city where Lot resided and the wicked town that God later destroyed (Genesis chapter 19), and Melchizedek, king of Salem.

Melchizedek means “king of righteousness.” Salem, which means “peace,” referred to Jerusalem, the later home of King David and the temple, the center of Jewish worship.

Melchizedek is a mystery man. In Scripture, men are generally named with their forefathers. Melchizedek’s parents are not given. His birth and death are not recorded, giving the impression that he never died.

Melchizedek was both a king and priest. In ancient times, a king often performed priestly as well as legal duties. The priest/king brought bread and wine to Abram and blessed him in the name of “God Most High.”

In blessing Abram, Melchizedek marked him as a man of stature among the nations. And in blessing God Most High, the priest affirmed Abram’s deity as the most powerful of the gods.

The bread and wine were not only refreshment after the battle, but a forerunner of the covenant that God would establish with Abram in the following chapter. The ancients sealed covenants by sharing a meal together. Christians may interpret the bread and wine as representing the Last Supper/ Holy Communion/Eucharist.

Abram then gave Melchizedek 10% of the war booty; the remaining loot went to the king of Sodom. Abram granted the captives, including Lot’s family, their freedom.

This is the first time that Scripture speaks of paying a tithe, although in this case it’s 10% of war spoils, not income. The people of Israel would later present a tenth of their crops to the priests as a sign of God’s superiority; no one gives offerings to a lesser being.

Melchizedek then disappears from Scripture until Psalm 110, a coronation song of the ideal priestly king.

“The Lord has sworn and will not waiver, you are a priest forever in the name of Melchizedek (verse 4).”

The temple priests came from the lineage of Levi, but the kings were of the house of Judah. The Melchizedek priesthood is of a higher order than Aaron and his sons, who eventually died, but Melchizedek lived on.

Hebrews 7 describes Christ Jesus as the new Melchizedek. The Levitical priests offered sacrifices daily for the sins of the people. Jesus, who was sinless, presented a one-time perfect sacrifice of himself; thus, no more sacrifices are needed.

Jesus’ parents’ ancestors were of Judah, the line of kings. Jesus’ priesthood is established not through his genealogy but his resurrection. Like Melchizedek, Jesus lives forever, a constant source of comfort and strength to believers.

Sally Carpenter, M.Div., can be reached at sallyc@theacorn.com.