Who was Melchizedek? Very little is known about him as he is one of the most mysterious people mentioned in the Bible. He is the king of peace. One day he appeared in Abraham’s life (when he was still known as Abram) and just as quickly disappeared and never heard from again. However, what happened that day will be remembered all through history and ultimately became a theme of a New Testament (Hebrews) letter.
As the meeting between Melchizedek and Abram was very unusual as they were strangers to each other yet they shared a very important characteristic as they both were worshippers of the one true God – the creator of heaven and earth. Abram had just defeated an army and was able to regain freedom of a group of captives. Abram may have had doubts about whose victory it really was but Melchizedek reminded Abram, “And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.” Gen 14:20. At this moment Abram realized that Melchizedek worshipped the same God.
Throughout the Old Testament, Melchizedek was one of a small group of God worshipping people who were not Jewish themselves came in contact with the Jews (Israelites). This proves that the requirement to follow God is not genetic, but rather based on being faithful and obey His teachings. Do you listen to others when God is speaking to you through them? Do you do consider God’s impact on the lives of others?
Melchizedek was the first person in the bible to be both priest and king. He has a gift of encouraging others to serve God with all their heart. His love for God was reflected in his character. A person in the Old Testament who was a type and shadow of Jesus Christ. Some even believe it was Jesus Himself.
A lesson we can take from Melchizedek is to live for God and you more than likely will be at the right place at the right time. Take the time to examine your heart to see whom or what lies your greatest loyalty. If God is truly your answer, you are in the right path and living for God.
Who was Melchizedek? He ruled as a king in Salem, which later became Jerusalem and a priest of the Most High God. “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated ‘king of righteousness,’ and then also king of Salem, meaning ‘king of peace,’ 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. Heb 7:1-4
All scripture from the New King James Version.
Image courtesy of Arvind Balaraman at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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