About Melchizedek (pt 6 of 6)

Now, let‘s end this study by going back to where we began . . . and looking at the last part of Genesis 14.

After his return from slaughtering K‘dorla’omer and the kings with him, the king of S‘dom went out to meet him in the Shaveh Valley, also known as the King‘s Valley. Malki-Tzedek king of Shalem brought out bread and wine. He was cohen of El ‘lyon, (God Most High) so he blessed him with these words: “Blessed be Avram by El ‘Elyon, maker of heaven of earth and blessed be El ‘Elyon, who handed your enemies over to you.” Avram gave him a tenth of everything.

About Melchizedek (pt 5 of 6)

We’ve covered a bunch of ground here, and I truly didn’t realize I would rant as much as I did, and without necessarily advocating that Shem was Melchizedek, it certainly would make a lot of sense and is a much better guess than saying that Jesus was. First, Shem was still alive. Second, the land of Canaan, which is where Salem was located, was a very pagan place. And yet, in the midst of this, here is this man who speaks of the God Most High—the God Abraham was just beginning to get to know. And, he seems to speak with deep understanding of the One True God, yet never does he make himself to be God. Third, Abraham seemed to know who this man was, and he had the deepest reverence for him. In fact, Melchizedek‘s presence seems just matter-of-fact and expected. Without any explanation at all, Abraham gives one-tenth of all the recovered property to this man.

About Melchizedek (pt 4 of 6)

Yesterday I pointed out how much clearer it becomes when we put the Jewishness back into our understanding of the Bible. Long ago, the great Hebrew scholar Maimonides stated what is obvious if someone would simply read the Scriptures: the entire human like descriptions of Yahweh‘s thoughts and actions are figurative, not literal.

Yahweh doesn‘t “jump with joy.”; He doesn‘t “swing a glittering sword” over his head. He doesn‘t come down to earth to see what‘s happening, and then travel back up to heaven to ponder it. God doesn‘t have emotions the way we think of them: He doesn‘t get angry, then sad; He isn‘t happy one moment, and displeased the next. He doesn‘t seek pleasure. He doesn‘t need to be reminded of anything. Yahweh is spirit. He isn‘t a man, one moment, then suddenly changes.

About Melchizedek (pt 3 of 6)

The last few days we’ve been talking about Melchizedek. And I freely admit that these messages are far more instructional, than inspirational and I hope you don’t mind. I also hope you are able to bear with me and are able to find some inspiration and encouragement here.

Among other things I’ve said over the last couple of days, I’ve said that Melchizedek was a very mysterious character in the Bible. But mysterious or not, the New Testament refers to him in a very powerful way. So let’s look at a very key section of the New Testament, and make some connections between Torah and the New Testament book of Hebrews.

About Melchizedek (pt 2 of 6)

We are going to continue to take a look at the story about Melchizedek. He’s quite a mysterious character in the Bible, but as believers, someone we should know about. But as I explained yesterday, the message may be a little longer than I like them to be but I can’t figure out what to eliminate so that it still makes sense for you. So take your time and hopefully this can be insightful and encouraging.

As I said, I began this study yesterday, but it might be helpful to back-up just a tad so we know a little more about what is happening and who he is:

About Melchizedek (pt 1 of 6)

This morning’s message may be a little longer than I like them to be (and I’m sure you like them to be). Unfortunately, I can’t figure out what to eliminate so that it still makes sense for you. So take your time and hopefully this can be insightful and encouraging.

You see, yesterday I mentioned an intriguing fellow many of you have heard about, but probably don’t know much about. If you remember, Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was kidnapped by some invaders and Abraham wasn’t too happy about that so he gathered his army of men and took after the invaders.

Here is how The Complete Jewish Bible renders what happens next: