CHRIST TYPIFIED IN MELCHIZEDEK (1)
GENESIS 14:18-20; HEBREWS 7

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Melchizedek is one of the most obscure yet most important persons in Holy Scriptures. As for his obscurity, he appears in only one brief instance, meeting Abram (later renamed Abraham) returning from delivering Lot from captivity (Genesis 14:18-20): “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed [Abram] and said: ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’ And [Abram] have him a tithe of all.”

As for his importance, Messiah was prophesied to be “a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek’” (Psalm 110:4). Mankind had to wait 1000 years to learn what that meant. At that time it was declared that Melchizedek is a type of Christ, “made like the Son of God” (Hebrews 7:3), and that the priesthood of Christ replaced that of Aaron (Hebrews 7-10).

We here focus on the typology of Melchizedek to Christ presented in Hebrews 7.

I. Both Melchizedek and Christ are both a “king of righteousness” and “king of peace.” As for Melchizedek, “king of righteousness” is the translation of his Hebrew name (vv.1f; melchi = “my king” + zedek = “righteousness”). He is thusly named because he established and promoted peace in his kingdom. And he is “king of peace” because this is the translation of his title “king of Salem” (v.2; Hebrew shalom = Greek salem). He is thusly named because his throne was situated in Jerusalem, which name is synonymous with Salem (as in Psalm 76:2). It is important to note that both righteousness and peace are joined together in him. There is no true peace where righteousness does not prevail.

Christ also is “king of righteousness” and “king of peace.” Indeed, He is to His subjects, all who believe in Him, “Jehovah our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6) and “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Both righteousness and peace result from His work as their High Priest. By faith in Him, believers have His righteousness imputed to them (Romans 3:21-26). “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). His reign is therefore one of both righteousness and peace. In His kingdom “righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psalm 85:10).

II. Both Melchizedek and Christ are a “priest of the Most High God.” A priest is one who represents the people to God (in contrast to a prophet, who represents God to the people). Melchizedek is expressly identified as “priest of the Most High God” (v.1; Genesis 14:18). Melchizedek was Jehovah’s priest.

Christ also is “priest of the Most High God.” Indeed, His sacrificial offering of Himself is the only offering which has fully satisfied the justice of God (Hebrews 8-10). Christians therefore do not resort to the pseudo-priests of counterfeit religions and cults.

III. Both Melchizedek and Christ outrank Aaron with regard to person. As for Melchizedek, he received tithes from Aaron, Levi’s father, by virtue of receiving them from Abraham (vv.9f): “Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him” (in Genesis 14:18-20). Furthermore, Melchizedek blessed Aaron’s grandfather Abraham (vv.6f): “... Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the greater.”

Christ also outranks Aaron by virtue of the fact that He outranks Aaron’s superior, Melchizedek. Aaron paid tithes (through Abraham) to Melchizedek, and Melchizedek was a priest of God, and Christ is God (John 1:1)! And the tithes received by Aaron were used for the service of God – and again, Christ is God! As for the blessings which Melchizedek bestowed upon Aaron’s father Abraham, these were received by Melchizedek from God – and again, Christ is God!

Have you acknowledged the superiority of Christ by rendering your service to Him and rejoicing in the blessings you have received from Him? Is Christ your Priest and King?