One of the most obscure figures in Scripture is an ancient priest-king who lived in Salem – an ancient Middle Eastern city which eventually became Jerusalem. This priest-king was Melchizedek (Malki Tzedek), which means, “king of righteousness”. Not much is known of him; there are no detailed historical records. He is shrouded in the mists of time. Melchizedek first appears in Scripture in Genesis 14:18–20, ever so briefly, when he brings out bread and wine and then blesses Abram, and El Elyon (“the Lord, God Most High”). Abram had just returned from pursuing Kedorlaomer, the king of Elam, and the other kings from the East who were allied with him. Kedorlaomer was a tyrant, bullying and robbing the smaller kingdoms in the region, such as Sodom and Gomorrah, to extend his own territory.
Kedorlaomer pillaged Sodom and Gomorrah, kidnapping Lot, Abram’s nephew, in the process. Well, Abram, however, was not one to stand idly by. Sodom and Gomorrah were twin cities where all kinds of depravity and sinfulness abounded. However, the sin of those cities had not yet reached its height, and a great and shocking injustice had been done to them nonetheless– lives were lost. Abram called his own allies together and pursued Kedorlaomer and his allies for days before attacking them during the night and defeating them. He rescued Lot, recovered all that was stolen, and brought everything back to Sodom and Gomorrah, returning to those kings what belonged to them. And they showed their appreciation to Abram.
In the midst of all this, Melchizedek appears from nearby Salem and brings bread and wine. He blesses Abram, saying …
Genesis 14:19 (NIV)
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of Heaven and Earth.”
Melchizedek was nothing like the other kings of the region. He is a king, yes, but the Genesis record identifies him as a priest of God Most High, as well. To him, Abram gave a tenth of the spoils of the skirmish – a tenth of everything. What remains unclear is how Melchizedek became a priest of God; there is no mention of his antecedents, no genealogy anywhere. Yet, the Genesis record is very clear that he worshipped YAHWEH, the same God who had called Abram out of Ur. He was not born into the priesthood, but was appointed by God, hundreds of years before Moses and Aaron, and the Levitical priesthood was established by God after the Exodus from Egypt. It is quite possible that Melchizedek was the son of Shem, Noah’s son – but no one knows. He emerges very, very early in history’s pages, very briefly and then disappears. Abram gives his tithes to Melchizedek considering him superior to himself and as God’s holy servant.
The significant feature of Melchizedek is that he is both priest appointed by God and a king – king of Salem, which means “king of peace”. He did not come from any “order” or lineage of priests such was later established in ancient Israel– that was a different order of priests into which future priests were born. Nor did Melchizedek earn the role of priest or assume it. He was appointed by God – and he was also a king. Melchizedek is mentioned twice more in Scripture, in Psalm 110 and the Letter to the Hebrews (chapters 5, 6 & 7).
Psalms 110:4 (NIV)
The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
The psalmist, David, received prophetic insight about the future Messiah, Jesus, and heard God the Father declare that He [Jesus] is a priest in the order of Melchizedek. In other words, a high priest appointed directly by God, Himself, and therefore superior to any other earthly king or priest – there is no higher place of honour, power and authority than at God’s right hand. And this all predates Christianity! This theme is picked up again centuries later by the writer to the Hebrews, who was writing to Jewish Christians to explain about the Messiah. He recalls Melchizedek, a name Jewish Christians would know, and describes in explicit terms Jesus and His ministry as being “after the order of Melchizedek”. That is, not born of any earthly, priestly line – but appointed by God … forever.
Hebrews 5:5-6
(NIV) In the same way, Christ did not take on Himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to Him, "You are my Son; today I have become Your Father." 6 And He says in another place [Psalm 110], "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. … 10… and [Jesus] was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.”
That’s a divine appointment, superior to any human or earthly succession plan. Melchizedek is described in Hebrews as,
Hebrews 7:3 (NIV)
“Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.”
The writer of Hebrews describes Jesus’ priesthood as eternal in scope. He uses the ancient figure of Melchizedek as a “type”- that is, a figure in the Old Testament who helps us understand a New Testament principle or truth. Melchizedek’s priestly ministry died with him, as did his kingship. Not so with Jesus. His priestly ministry is eternal, and His kingship is eternal and thus superior to any other priest or king. In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees had great trouble accepting who He really was. Many others thought Jesus to be the Messiah, but not them – and they argued with Him constantly.
John 8:52-59 (NIV)
At this they exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"
54 Jesus replied, "If I glorify Myself, My glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies Me. 55 Though you do not know Him, I know Him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know Him and obey His word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing My day; he saw it and was glad." 57 "You are not yet fifty years old," they said to Him, "and you have seen Abraham!" 58 "Very truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
59 At this, they picked up stones to stone Him …
The “order” of Melchizedek is unique and is used in Hebrews, therefore, to describe Jesus’ own unique priest-king designation and ministry which was far superior to that of Melchizedek’s, which was revered in Abramic history. Abram considered Melchizedek superior. The writer to the Hebrews considers Jesus superior to even Melchizedek. He was an archetype of Christ Jesus whose ministry far exceeds all earthly bounds and is eternal in scope and ongoing efficacy.
Hebrews 4:14 (NIV) “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.”
The priestly ministry of Jesus’ will never cease. His kingship will never end.
Hebrews 7:21-22 (NIV) “.., but [Jesus] became a priest with an oath when God said to Him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: 'You are a priest forever.'" 22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a superior covenant.”
The writer to the Hebrews makes this crucial Christological point about Jesus, who administers a new and far superior covenant than God made with Abram – it includes the Gentiles, too. Think on these things, praise Jesus, our great high priest, and King of kings.
Ps Milton