What We Learn from Abraham and Melchizedek

1. Melchizedek Points to Jesus

Picking up after Abraham rescues Lot

Genesis 14:17–20 ESV

17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Melchizedek

Melchizedek means King of Righteousness

Melchizedek is King of Peace

Melchizedek is Priest of God

Some people believe that Melchizedek is actually Jesus.

Jesus

Jesus rules with perfect righteousness

Jesus’ rule brings perfect peace

Jesus fully represented God to us and substitutionally represented us to God

Jesus is fully God and fully man.

When we surrender to His rule we find peace.

2. Abraham Points to Trusting in Jesus

Many many years later

Abraham started his walk with God strong. But, over time it became increasingly harder and harder to trust God. Abraham’s Doubt Record

Lied about Sarah to Pharaoh.

Decided, with Sarah, to get a son through Hagar.

Repeatedly complained about not having a son through Sarah.

Lied again about Sarah. This time to Abimelech.

Each and every time, God supernaturally intervened and reminded Abraham about what he promised him.

Genesis 22:1–14 ESV

1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. 9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Abraham

Abraham started out strong

Abraham’s life became increasingly more complex

Abraham’s faith was increasingly challenged

Abraham eventually settled into trusting God

Abraham eventually settled into trusting God…

not because Abraham was special…

but because God remained faithful!

God had to continually answer prayer, show up at just the right time, and remind Abraham that He is faithful to keep His promises.

You

You may start out strong when you become a Christian

Your life is going to become increasingly more complex

Your faith WILL be increasingly challenged

Will you eventually settle into trusting Jesus?

Jesus

Jesus rules with perfect righteousness

Jesus’ rule brings perfect peace

Jesus fully represented God to us and substitutionally represented us to God

Jesus is worth trusting!