MELCHEZIDEK

 

After his return from slaughtering K’dorla‘omer and the kings with him, the king of S’dom went out to meet him in the Shaveh Valley, also known as the King’s Valley. Malki-Tzedek king of Shalem brought out bread and wine. He was cohen of El ‘Elyon [God Most High], so he blessed him with these words: “Blessed be Avram by El ‘Elyon, maker of heaven of earth. And blessed be El ‘Elyon, who handed your enemies over to you.” Avram gave him a tenth of everything. (Genesis 14:17-20)

Interestingly, this is the one and only time the name, Melchezidek, is mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures. Also known, in Hebrew, as malki-tzedek, King of Salem (peace), this ancient sovereign has been described as Kohen of El ‘Elyon, Priest of God Most High, and served as both king and priest. And, we are told, not only did Avraham give him a tenth of his choicest spoils of war, as one would to a sovereign priest, Melchezidek received it.

No king, in Hebrew tradition, served also as priest. Indeed, when Sha’ul, Saul, offered the burnt offerings, becoming impatient waiting for Samuel, he was castigated by the prophet for his impatience. The prophet reiterated to him this was another reason why God took his crown and gave to another. So, if no human king of Israel could act as both king and priest, why was it Melchezidek could?

How do we know Melchezidek was not human? Only one more time is the name, Melchezidek, mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures. In Psalm 110, we read: Adonai has sworn it, and he will never retract — “You are a cohen forever,
to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.” From the context of this psalm, we may gather Adonai Elohim, God Almighty, is speaking about Adonai Yeshua, the Lord Jesus. Then, in Hebrews 7, we read: This Malki-Tzedek, king of Shalem, a cohen of God Ha‘Elyon, met Avraham on his way back from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him; also Avraham gave him a tenth of everything. Now first of all, by translation of his name, he is “king of righteousness”; and then he is also king of Shalem, which means “king of peace.” There is no record of his father, mother, ancestry, birth or death; rather, like the Son of God, he continues as a cohen for all time.  (Hebrews 7:1,2)

From these Scriptures, then, we may infer Melchezidek was the pre-incarnate Adonai Yeshua. Why would our Lord and Messiah appear to Avraham and only to Avraham? Here was our first patriarch, whom all believers (Jews and Gentiles) may call abba, father. By mentioning His name in the Tanakh, the Hebrew Scriptures, and in the Apostolic Scriptures, Yahveh has clearly indicated the line between Melchezidek and Adonai Yeshua. Could it be any clearer?

CONSIDER: What is your understanding of God’s Word in the Hebrew Scriptures (A.K.A. The Old Testament)? Do you believe this portion of the Bible is now invalid? Do you believe His word begins on the first page of the Book of Matthew? I urge you to consider very carefully the well-used phrase “The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed. The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.”[1]

ACT: I urge all of us to consider the truth of Augustine’s message to us. This will help us read through each of the Books of the Hebrew Scriptures and hear the Words of Adonai Yeshua, as they echo through to us.

PRAY: Abba, I pray that we all will realize your Word in the Hebrew Scriptures, has the same value as your Word in the Apostolic Scriptures. I pray for your Guidance and Leadership to enable us to hear the Words of our Master, as we go through each Book. In Your Beloved Name I pray.

May the God of Avraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you richly.

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[1] Augustine, Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, 393 CE.