In the following blogs I want to address topics that have been used to deceive many people. Some are foundational matters to the Christian faith. Many fall away from the church due to lies, propaganda and ignorance or lack of knowledge. For sure, many people perish for a lack of knowledge. Let us look at Melchizedek.
Melchizedek was a priest, but not just any priest. He was the priest of El Elyon, which means God Most High.
What is most important about Melchizedek is what the Bible actually tells us. Over the centuries many people have guessed who he was and what his meeting with Abraham meant. The Bible, however, gives us only a few details. Perhaps God chose to reveal only what was necessary so that our attention would stay on His purpose instead of our own speculation. Nonetheless, there has been a lot of confusion about Melchizedek because of historical inaccuracies.
In this series I want to examine that purpose. Before we can understand what the Bible calls the Order of Melchizedek, we must first understand the man and the city where he ruled.
What does the Bible tell us?
The Bible tells us that:
Melchizedek was the king of Salem.
He was the priest of God Most High (El Elyon).
Abraham met him after winning the battle that rescued Lot.
Melchizedek brought out bread and wine.
He blessed Abraham in the King's Valley near Salem.
Abraham gave him a tenth of the spoils from the battle.
The Bible presents Melchizedek as someone greater than Abraham in rank because Abraham received his blessing and paid him a tithe.
Some References: Genesis 14:18–20; Psalm 76:2; Psalm 110:4.
The City of Salem
The first point worth examining is that Melchizedek was the king of Salem. Salem was a Canaanite city-state, yet its king served the Most High God. The city depended on the Gihon Spring for its water supply and that is a landmark used by archaeologists in identifying the location.
The name Salem means peace in both Hebrew and Canaanite. Because of this, Melchizedek is often called the King of Peace.
Many scholars identify Salem with ancient Jerusalem. Over time the name developed into the Hebrew Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). Some connect this name with the Hebrew root yarah, meaning "to found" or "to lay a foundation," and "founded in peace".
In Judges 19:10 the city is called Jebus, after its Jebusite inhabitants. Later it became known as Jerusalem after King David captured it. The Bible also uses the name Zion. Sometimes Zion refers to the fortress David conquered, while in other passages it represents God's dwelling place among His people (Psalm 76:2). The historic main areas of Salem was renamed to honour King David
The prophets Isaiah and Nehemiah later referred to Jerusalem as the Holy City.
There is much more that could be said about Jerusalem. If you would like to explore its connection with sacrifice, you can read my earlier article, "What's on Your Altar? Part 4," where I explain why David purchased the threshing floor even though he already ruled the land.
Archaeological Evidence
Archaeologists have uncovered a rock structure that is about 4,000 years old. The structure supports the idea that Melchizedek served as both king and priest.
Among the discoveries are:
a standing stone or pillar that may have been anointed with oil as a symbol of meeting with God;
a carved stone altar with channels that may have drained blood or wine;
an olive press that could have been used to produce sacred anointing oil.
Many archaeologists believe this complex may have been the place where Melchizedek brought out bread and wine and blessed Abraham. It provides an interesting historical background to the biblical account.
Why was a Canaanite king serving the Most High God?
This is an important question. One that should be placed in context of the period this event occured. At the time Canaan was serving other gods, yes. But Canaan was a city that came out of one of the sons of Noah. Ham's descendants populated the area known as Canaan. The descendants of Shem later conquered the land. In Genesis 9 we learn that Canaan the youngest son of Ham was cursed by Noah. This can be discussed further in a later blog. What is important to note at this time is that they all came from the same lineage and there was a reason why Shem's descendants would rule the land.
The name El Elyon first appears in Genesis 14:18–20. The meeting between Melchizedek and Abraham happens immediately after Abraham defeats the kings who had taken Lot captive.
The name Lot means "veil," "covering," or "that which conceals."
Here I would like to offer my own interpretation.
I believe the war became a test of Abraham's readiness to fully trust God. As long as Abraham depended on Lot, he was not fully trusting God. How was he dependent on Lot?
When God first called Abraham to leave his family, Lot travelled with him. Lot represented security to Abraham. Abraham may have trusted God, but perhaps he still wanted something familiar to rely on.
Here is a lesson I learnt a long time ago. When God tells us to leave others and move with Him. We should do it and do it fast. Disobedience causes confusion with the same people we hold on to. We can see that happening between Abraham and Lot and they had to separate (Genesis 13:8). This separation was very significant. In fact both times they separated held important meaning. In the first parting Abraham called him "brother" and not nephew.
The significance can be seen in that as soon as they parted Abraham moved his tent which was in Bethel where Jacob wrestled with God to Mamre, Hebron and God spoke to him.
Genesis 13:14–17:
"And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: 'Lift up your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth... Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.'"
Genesis 14 tells us that Abraham took 318 trained servants from his household to rescue Lot. He was acting on principle as found later in Leviticus 25 concerning the redemption of a relative, because Abraham referred to Lot as his "brother" not his nephew when they parted the first time. Abraham then became Lot's "blood avenger". In this second parting of ways Abraham fulfilled his responsibility toward Lot but after this rescue the Bible records no further direct relationship between them.
Only after this final parting does Melchizedek appear and bless Abraham. This proves that there was a significance in his final parting with Lot.
Are there people in your life like Lot? Has God told you to separate from anyone and follow Him?
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." 1 Peter 2:9-10
Pray and ask God to show you if you should separate from anyone and ask for courage and wisdom to do it peaceably. Follow after Jesus you will not regret it.
