Title: Who Was Melchizedek?
At this point, it is impossible (or at least very unwise) to proceed into Hebrews any further without clearly defining who Melchizedek was. The author of Hebrews operates under the assumption that his audience, being Jews, has an idea of who Melchizedek was, but maybe they don’t understand the significance of the statement in the last verse of Hebrews 6:
“Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Heb 6:19b)
And because the author will spend the entirety of chapter seven explaining the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as Great High Priest in terms of his relation to Melchizedek, it would be wise for us today to lay a foundation for a proper understanding of who Melchizedek was in the Old Testament, so that the words of Hebrews 7 impact us the same way they impact the author’s original audience.
Now, there will be application to these three verses, but it may take us a few extra steps to get there, either this week or next, depending on how quickly we move through the history of the text, and I’ll ask you to be unusually patient with me in this respect. Today’s sermon may be a split sermon, depending on how far we get today. I wrote it as one sermon, but it is abnormally long, so chances are good we will finish this text next week.
In other words, we have to lay some serious groundwork if we hope to have any connection to the application and rich theology that lays below the surface. As with all Biblical study: digging is rewarded, amen!
Fair Enough? Good! Let’s start digging!
(read/pray)
Heb 7:1-3
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,
2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth 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 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.
I’ve mentioned before that one of the exercises I often do when preparing a sermon is to read the passage and then just ask myself some basic questions about the passage.
Now, like most ministers I have some knowledge of study and background through my education and experiences as a minister. Like most ministers, I also have a wealth or resource material including commentaries, books of study, and colleagues to call on if I get stuck.
But none of that is what I do first. The first step I usually take is to put myself in the shoes of you fine people and ask myself, “If I was Jamie Mills, and I was in this passage and had some questions what would I do FIRST?”
What do you guys usually do…and don’t say, “Ben, we call you!”
(take answers)
So that is what I did here, and the first hit was actually a pretty good place to start.
Got Questions:
Melchizedek, whose name means “king of righteousness,” was a king of Salem (Jerusalem) and priest of the Most High God (Genesis 14:18–20; Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6–11; 6:20—7:28).
Melchizedek’s sudden appearance and disappearance in the book of Genesis is somewhat mysterious. Melchizedek and Abraham first met after Abraham’s defeat of Chedorlaomer and his three allies.
Melchizedek presented bread and wine to Abraham and his weary men, demonstrating friendship. He bestowed a blessing on Abraham in the name of El Elyon (“God Most High”) and praised God for giving Abraham a victory in battle (Genesis 14:18–20).
Abraham presented Melchizedek with a tithe (a tenth) of all the items he had gathered. By this act Abraham indicated that he recognized Melchizedek as a priest who ranked higher spiritually than he.
And listen, let me be the first to admit, there is nothing inaccurate with these explanations. But we shouldn’t stop there, why not? (take answers)
- These answers may be secular (miss the point, even if they get the facts correct)
- They may have an agenda
- There is no application. These answer never move from the “WHAT” to the “SO WHAT”
Therefore, it’s a fine place to start, but we don’t want to stop there.
So the next thing we usually would do is look at some trusted sources. Maybe the cheater notes in our bible, maybe commentaries in print or online, and yes, here is where it’s okay to call or text me.
Packer:
7:1-28 The central point of this chapter is that the solemn promise of Ps. 110:4 was fulfilled only in Jesus Christ. Jesus’ eternal priesthood is explained in terms of the two Old Testament texts that mention Melchizedek: Gen. 14:17-20 and Ps. 110:4.
Psalm 110:4
The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
Genesis 14:17-20
17 Then 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 the king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.
19 And he blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be God Most High,
Who has handed over your enemies to you.”
Packer Continued:
7:1 king of Salem. The introduction of Melchizedek emphasizes that he was a king as well as a priest. As such he is a type of Christ, who is our prophet, priest, and king. “Salem” was apparently an ancient name for Jerusalem (Ps. 76:2).
7:2 king of righteousness. “Melchizedek” is interpreted by the. Hebrew words melek, “king,” and zedek, “righteousness.”
7:3 Some believe that Melchizedek is a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, but this is unlikely since terms of comparison and analogy are used:
- He is “like the Son of God” (a comparison of the Son with Himself would be odd); the Son became High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek” (6:20)
- later, through His incarnation, atoning death, and exaltation.
- In addition, in Gen. 14 Melchizedek is presented as one who has a recognized political position (king of Salem), whereas Old Testament theophanies are brief and exceptional.
“without father… mother… beginning of days nor end of life.”
While most figures in Genesis are located in a genealogical line, Melchizedek appears without ancestors or progeny, and without notice of his birth or death. The Holy Spirit has described him in a way that is prophetic of Christ.
Also, Melchizedek appears without any biblical genealogy.
The appointment of priests in the line of Melchizedek is without regard to ancestry, since no genealogy is recorded for this line.
Comparisons/Conclusions/Application:
Jesus and Melchizedek
- Melchizedek was known the Hebrews audience, he was established as unique. Abraham, the father of the faith, pays him tithe.
- Melchizedek was simultaneously a Priest and a King. Jesus is THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST and the KING OF KINGS.
- Melchizedek appears with no background or genealogy. Jesus’s ancestory is traced in Matthew and Luke with absolute precision: Matthew’s genealogy traces Jesus’ lineage back to Abraham, emphasizing his royal lineage as the Messiah. Luke’s genealogy traces Jesus’ lineage back to Adam, highlighting his connection to all humanity as the Son of God.
- For the original audience, the author was demonstrating this: No one was like Melchizedek, and NO ONE is like Jesus.
- NO ONE is like Jesus. He is singular. He is able to do things that no one else can do. He is EXCLUSIVE. The Gospel can not and does not exits without this TRUTH.