Today I wanted to dig into what is a difficult subject for many people, including myself, which is understanding the implications of an Old Testament man, Melchizadek.  My hope in digging into this some is that you all will be encouraged and refreshed in your delight at what a great savior and salvation we have in our Great High Priest and King.

In Hebrews 7, God is explaining through the author the significance of a seemingly small part of the Old Testament.  Namely, Abraham is greeted by Melchizedek, King of Salem, and Abraham gives him 10% of everything he owns.  Now through Abraham’s descendants came the priestly line of Levites.  The Levites were guardians of the law of Moses, (Think of all the laws/regulations laid out in the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Dueteronomy, and Numbers).  These Levites were accordingly in charge of taking the offerings from the people, making sacrifices to God on their behalf, and appealing to God on their behalf.  So what was the significance of Abraham’s meeting and submission/gift to Melchizadek?

Hebrews 7:2-3 – “He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. ³He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.”

This Melchizadek was meant to show two things.  One was that, there was a righteousness that surpassed the righteousness that could be found in adherance to the law of moses.  That is to say, that ones actions and personal “righteousness” alone could never merit their reconciliation to God; each person needed to be credited a righteousness that was not their own.  If the very father of the entire Levitical priesthood needed to submit to another, to have him appeal to God on his behalf, how much more in need are each of us?

Secondly, is that Melchizadek is a picture of Christ to us, as a king and priest that is continually interceding with God on our behalf.  Melchizadek’s very name meant righteousness.  He was the king of peace.  Likewise, our righteous savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, who is completely righteous, shed His blood and bore the wrath of God in our place.  It is because of His sacrifice, that by the faith given to us by God, we are credited with His righteousness.  Only through the righteousness of Christ imputed to us do we now have peace with God.  Further, even now He is at the right hand of God the Father, making appeal to Him on our behalf, that all those who have been blessed by God with Christ’s righteousness should never perish, but dwell eternally with Him.

With such a great hope as this, my encouragement today is to draw near to God.  Marvel at His ways, His beauty, and His love, which compels Him to intercede for us even now.  Rest in what a great savior, high priest, and king we have, and joyously proclaim in boldness His love and reconciliation to all.  I hope this finds each of you well.

Grace and Peace,
Adam