Supreme Over Abraham
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Scripture Reading: Genesis 14:14-24
Melchizedek Blessed Abraham
Melchizedek Blessed Abraham
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater.
Genesis 14:1-13 4 kingdoms, Shinar, Ellasar, Elam, and Goiim went to war with the 5 kingdoms of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and (Zoar) who had rebelled against the king of Elam. The rebels were defeated and taken captive. This was all typical human warfare, but what the king of Elam didn’t realize was that Lot, Abram’s nephew, and his family were among the captives. Lot was in Sodom but he was not of Sodom (living in Sodom but not a Sodomite) and that changed this typical war in into an offence against the God of Abram.
1 And it came about in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim,
2 that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
3 All these came as allies to the valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).
4 Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but the thirteenth year they rebelled.
5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim and the Zuzim in Ham and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim,
6 and the Horites in their Mount Seir, as far as El-paran, which is by the wilderness.
7 Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and conquered all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, who lived in Hazazon-tamar.
8 And the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah and the king of Admah and the king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) came out; and they arrayed for battle against them in the valley of Siddim,
9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim and Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.
10 Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell into them. But those who survived fled to the hill country.
11 Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food supply, and departed.
12 They also took Lot, Abram’s nephew, and his possessions and departed, for he was living in Sodom.
13 Then a fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew. Now he was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were allies with Abram.
Abram hears of Lot’s capture, gathers some friends and defeats Elam’s coalition. On the way home, they pass by Salem (now called Jerusalem [the foundation of peace]) and Melchizedek meets them with a blessing of physical supplies.
2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.
3 Titles for Melchizedek:
King of Righteousness — from the translation of His name (first)
King of Peace — Political Office, Salem = peace
Priest of the Most High God — Religious Office. Genesis 14:18. Hebrew=El Elyon
Jesus is the Righteous One (the King of Righteousness)
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
Jesus is our peace (the King of Peace)
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.
10 Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
In Jesus, Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Melchizedek as a priest was representing God. In giving a blessing to Abraham, through Melchizedek, God was approving or showing His favor for Abram and Abram’s actions.
Melchizedek Was a Type of Jesus
Melchizedek Was a Type of Jesus
3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.
Without father or mother or genealogy? — in his priestly role. Not like the priests of Aaron where genealogy was a requirement. Melchizedek was of a different priesthood not based on passing down that role from parents. Jesus fulfills this type in that He also has a priesthood not determined by genealogy but on His personal qualifications.
Neither beginning of days nor end of life? — Again unlike the priests of Aaron who began when they turned 25 and ended their days as priests at the age of 50. Melchizedek had no age restrictions.
Made Like the Son of God? — The Son is the prototype and Melchizedek and his priesthood were the copies. So, Melchizedek and his priesthood are set up by God as a shadow of the priesthood of the Son of God and then that priesthood is used as a type to foreshadow the priesthood of the Son of God in the person of Jesus Christ.
Remains a priest perpetually? — Because he wasn’t forced into retirement and because he had no successor like the priests of Aaron, he remains in that position even though he is dead.
So, get the progression. Abraham was lesser than Melchizedek and Melchizedek followed in the footsteps of the Son of God (which makes him lesser than the Son) and Jesus is the Son of God.
So, Abraham < Melchizedek<Jesus. Therefore Jesus>Abraham!
Melchizedek Was Greater Priest
Melchizedek Was Greater Priest
A. Because Abram Tithed to Him
A. Because Abram Tithed to Him
2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils,
Abram gave Willingly to Melchizedek. He was not bound by law to do it.
Abram gave the best to Melchizedek. choice of all the spoils.
May our giving in this age of grace which transcends the law, be like Abram’s giving.
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.
22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth,
LORD God Most High = Yahweh El Elyon
4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.
observe - ponder intensely (not passively) The Jews that the author is speaking with had become dull of hearing. They were stuck in their ways and unwilling consider the implications of the Bible that God had graciously given them. This is a danger for the church also. We must come to God’s Word with reverential faith and let It speak as it is even if it is hard to understand or it goes against our preconceived understanding.
B. Because His Priesthood Is Eternal
B. Because His Priesthood Is Eternal
Levi’s priesthood was temporary and was bound by law.
5 And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham.
6 But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.
Melchizedek’s priesthood supersedes the Levitic priesthood and the law. It is a type of Christ’s priesthood. So Christ’s priesthood is over every age or dispensation, over the nation of Israel, over the law of Moses.
8 In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on.
C. Because Levi Tithed to Melchizedek
C. Because Levi Tithed to Melchizedek
9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes,
10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
Federal headship. One stands as a representative of the whole. The point is that Jews should not be concerned about the superiority of their genetics, but the superiority of the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ!
Because Jesus ultimately joins the the man of blessing (Abraham) with the superior type in (Melchizedek) and becomes superior to both.
13 “Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices.” ’
These truths may be part of the teaching that the 2 disciples received from the risen Lord Jesus as he walked with them and beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. (Luke 24:27)
How does this apply to us?
We are in Christ who is the superior priest. He is our King. He is our priest. He is our law. He is our righteousness. He is our peace. And because we are “in Jesus”…
6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
