Zane Anderson's Blog > The Mystery of Melchizedek
The Mystery of Melchizedek
Mar 2, 2010
A few weeks ago during our Sunday service I mentioned Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek in Genesis 14. (He was still called Abram at this time.)
As Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and his allies, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). Then Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought him bread and wine. Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has helped you conquer your enemies." Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered. (Genesis 14:17-21 NLT)
Melchizedek is quite a mystery. He just appeared one day in the life of Abraham and was never heard of again, although the story has become a historical moment and is told in the New Testament in the 7th chapter of Hebrews and mentioned in Psalm 110.
I find it interesting that these two men were strangers to each other, but they shared a passion to serve the same God and so their hearts were united. Melchizedek was a priest of the first order—a leader with heart to encourage others to follow God with all their heart. He reminds Abraham that it was God that delivered his enemies into his hands.
At this point Abraham honored God with a tenth of his plunder by giving his tithe to God through the priest, Melchizedek. This encounter is a wonderful example of Abraham, the father of our faith setting an example of the tithe for us to follow today.
Melchizekek was a forerunner to Jesus, our faithful high priest—some even believe he was Jesus appearing to Abraham. Take time this week to read Melchizedek’s story in Hebrews 7. I believe it will bless you.'
1 Response(s)
Grant Lehman
on Mar 2, 2010 1:58pm
The greek word (slaughter) helps me understand what was going on. Of coarse it means slaughter, carnage, but then it moves into...to chop, to beast the breast in grief, cut down, lament, morn, WAIL, then the base of that word, DECISIVE -more keen. CHOICES LIFESTYLE
Mel the King of Peace shows up... Abram gives the tithe.
Heb. 7:4-8 Abraham gave a tenth of his spoils... verse 5 paraphrased... today, Pastor Zane has a "commandment" to receive, some trans. say "take", (ouch lol) from the people. verse 6, verse 7 then Verse 8 Here mortal man receives the tithe, but there He receives them, of whom it is witnessed that HE LIVES! Paraphrased a gain... As you give your tithe to mortal, yet God established... man here on Earth... as you are giving.... then... He, GOD ALMIGHTY in Heaven is receiving them as proof that HE LIVES! This activates a life style......This is a choice in lifestyle
Why could have all this happened in that order... Lot......King of Sodom...... King of Peace, The Mel... and Abram? Could it be God takes things more serious then one may think? Was Lot being warned? Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely, the Lords mercy helped him out once again, but he was suppose to get the picture.
Now, I am melding... when Lot finally got OUT guess who looked back and then he wanted to stay in the insignificant place, Zoar, meaning small instead of going and doing what the Lord wanted.... the place where.... God wants us... takes faith...and it's bigger then we think, or are comfortable with.
Absolutely, absolutely, God was speaking to Lot, like He is speaking to many today. Who will stand in the day of the Lord?....the day when the Lord through mortal man has made it really clear....this is the way, walk ye in it. I like what my 21 year old son said this week, "dad i'm going deeper... Dad, guess who might get left behind? Oh he loves all, might not like them...lol . When ever that happens, I remind him what he always tell me, 'when the wrong people leave your life, the right ones come in!'
As man gives the tithe down here to mortal man... Over there God is receiving them as a witness He lives. This activates is a whole new level.... or ones choses to stay in Sodom. Wonder what life style/pattern people will choose?
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