Long before the Levitical system was laid out, God had chosen a priestly king to be a part of the story. Melchisedek was a portrait in sense of Jesus Christ. King of Salem, Melchisedek was “the priest of the most High God (Genesis 14:18).” If we thought God’s calling forth of Abraham meant full exclusivity, we would be wrong. There were others who followed God’s command even during that time separate from Abraham and his descendants. We know this also from reading the book of Job. One such follower of God was Melchisedek, King of Salem. Not only was Melchisedek King of Salem, it is designated that he was chosen by God to be a priest. His very name means king of righteousness. Thus, He was a King and a Priest. The lineage for Kings among the Jewish nation was King David. Priests were to be Levites.
Melchisedek was a priestly King during this time. There occurred a battle amongst several kings including the King of Sodom, the King of Elam, and the King of Gomorrah. During the battle, the lands and possession of Lot were taken as were those of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham went out and rescued his nephew Lot, along with his possessions. In doing so Abraham also regained the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah. On his return, he was met by Melchisedek, King of Salem who was never mentioned as part of the battle. Abraham was also met by the King of Sodom.
A Priestly King Arrives
Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he (Abraham) gave him tithes of all (Genesis 14:18-20). Melchizedek is somewhat shrouded in mystery. He was not mentioned prior to this moment; yet, Abraham recognized him as a priestly king ordained by God.
Indeed, Abraham tithed to God through Melchizedek. Melchizedek was a shadow of the one true Priestly King who would be one day born in Bethlehem and crucified in Jerusalem to rise again and sit on His throne making intercession for us. Note that Melchizedek brought forth bread and wine foreshadowing the Last Supper of our Lord.
Jesus came as King, High Priest, and the Sacrificial Lamb. He paid the price once and for all for my sins and yours, leaving the only question of whether you accept Him as Lord of your life.
Do you believe He is the only begotten son of God? And that He is not only Son, but also is God: co-creator of the Universe, the very word of God spoken forth to mankind and the only way, the truth and the life. Only through acknowledging Him, believing that He came to earth to be the final Sacrificial lamb, taking upon Himself our sins, and that He rose again victorious over death and sin can one be freed from the sins of our own human heart. He is the only one who can intercede for us, take our filthy rags and cover us with His righteousness. Jesus is the Priestly King who willingly was the Sacrificial Lamb.
The Priestly King Seated Upon His Throne
Hebrews 6 and 7 goes into detail explaining that Jesus Christ came as the Ultimate Priestly King and now sits on the right hand of God making intercession for all who by faith accept Him as Lord and Savior. Melchizedek was a shadowing portrait of Christ presented long before to Abraham. It was by faith in God’s promise of the Savior that Abraham was saved. “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3).
Melchizedek was once more mentioned in the Old Testament when David wrote Psalm 110:1,4.
The Lord (God the FATHER) said unto my Lord (Jesus Christ), Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool…. Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Jesus further clarified this in Matthew 22: 42-46. Then in Hebrews it was again presented in detail. The sacrificial system, though a portrait of Christ to come could never in itself pay the price for sin. Rather, through faith in the one to come, it symbolized the true Sacrificial lamb. Then Jesus Christ came and paid the price ONCE and FOR ALL. For this reason He came as a Priestly King, not from the lineage of the Jewish priesthood.
Hebrews 10 explains that when Jesus Christ came saying,
9 “Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.” He taketh away the first (tabernacle), that he may establish the second (tabernacle).
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 (And) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Concluding thoughts:
Scripture confirms scripture. It would be impossible that such a book, written by so many men could perfectly confirm itself were it not true that God Himself wrote the scripture, penning it through the hands of men. Furthermore, preserving it miraculously throughout the ages, He has brought it to us. Even more miraculous, impossible were it not for a Sovereign God, every detail of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was foretold in perfect detail. How can one who reads this book ever doubt the veracity of the gospel story? Won’t you come to bow before the Priestly King, our great High priest who paid the price once for all?
Hebrews 10: 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified…22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.23 (And) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;).
Oh, and of note, when Abraham was met by Melchisedek, the King of Salem also met Abraham. Instead of the bread and wine with blessing, the King of Salem offered that Abraham keep the spoils—money, wealth. Abraham who presented his tithes to Melchisedek, could have wrongly taken the money from the King of Salem, but did not. He knew His blessings were from God and would not risk losing that blessing for earthly gain. Why do we so quickly get turned aside seeking earthly treasure when we have God?
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Series: Finding Faith on the Road to Emmaus
Why Did They Reject Jesus as King?
Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem. Why Really?
Did Jesus Come to Offer Salvation to All?
How to Certainly Know Jesus As the Lion of Judah
God Works All Things According to His Will
How Can I Be Certain Jesus is the Christ?
Was Jesus the Savior they Waited For?
How was Christ’s Suffering a Part of His Glory?
Why is it so Important to Know All the Truth?
How Faith is Found on the Road to Emmaus
Poetry:
Thy Greatest Glory Be Thy Love Poured Out On Calvary
Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
CREDITS
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash