CONSIDER HOW GREAT THIS MAN WAS

"Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils." (Hebrews 7:4)

Prior to the coming of God's Son into the world, Melchizedek is mentioned two times. Both of them are incidental. By that, I mean no extensive teaching is given concerning either his person or his works. The Lord does not give his lineage, as He did for nearly all key men of God.

On one occasion, five wicked kings conspired to do battle against those around them. Their exploits included Sodom and Gomorrah. In their triumph, "they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed." One escapee came and told Abram about the matter. Immediately Abram took 318 of his trained servants, born in his own house, and pursued the enemy. During the night, he divided his men into groups and smote the enemy, recovering "all the goods," as well as Lot, his goods, the women, and all the people (Gen 14:1-16).

When Abram returned from the conquest, Melchizedek, king of Salem, met him, bringing out bread and wine. He was "a priest of the Most High God"–the very first of Scriptural record. He also "blessed" Abram, insightfully declaring God had given him the victory over his enemies (Gen 14:17-20). Abram responded by giving him "a tithe of all" (14:20b). This is the only record of anything Melchizedek did.

Nearly eight hundred years later, in a prophecy of the coming Messiah, the Psalmist wrote, "The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek" (Psa 110:1). There is not a word said about Melchizedek between Genesis 14 and Psalm 110. Furthermore, there is not another word said about him from the 110th Psalm until the writing of the book of Hebrews, about 1,100 years later. Yet this man influenced all history.

In the fifth through the seventh chapters of Hebrews, there are nine references to Melchizedek (5:6,10; 6:20; 7:1,10,11,15,17,21). Five of those references are a quotation of Psalm 110:1. Hebrews 7:1-2 is a recounting of the incident recorded in Genesis 14. Hebrews 7:10 declares that Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek while "he was still in the loins of" Abram. Verses 11 and 15 distinguish the priesthood of Melchizedek from the Levitical and Aaronic priesthood, which were under the Law.

In these verses, the Lord Jesus is affirmed to be a different kind of High Priest, prefigured by the priesthood instituted under the Law, yet of a superior order, that was not seen in the Law.

Melchizedek was noted for giving, blessing and receiving. He brought forth bread and wine, and blessed the patriarch Abram, who had the promises (7:4). Ordinarily, Abraham would be the one conferring the blessing. But in this case, he was blessed. Too, because of his place in the purpose of God, one might think others would pay tithes to him. But, he paid tithes to Melchizedek.

Consider the greatness of Melchizedek! He blessed Abram, and Abram paid tithes to him. He was a priest of God when no one else was. He was a type of Jesus when there were no other types, and before the Law. Ponder this. Among other things, it unveils the magnitude of
salvation. It was planned before the foundation of the world, depicted
in the mysterious Melchizedek a king-priest, and prefigured in the law.


PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus for so great a salvation. Help me to see Jesus as a Giver, a Blesser, and a Receiver of my sacrifices and offerings.

Monday: THINGS THAT ACCOMPANY SALVATION --