Why You Need To Know More About Melchizedek by Myra Kahn Adams for TownHall
Thanks for joining our study. If you missed last week’s discussion of Psalm 110, I wrote: “Stay tuned for another study about Melchizedek. I feel called to write about him again since Vol. 50 was three years ago.”
So here we go! In my humble opinion, Melchizedek is “under-reported” as the prefiguration of Jesus Christ in Genesis. I hope this two-part series shines more light on the mysterious Melchizedek. Today is an overview, and next week, we will delve into Hebrews 7, the chapter dedicated to the connection between Melchizedek and Jesus.
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In the Old Testament, Melchizedek is only a blip. First, he suddenly appears in Genesis 14:18-20 — a 56-word passage. Then he is mentioned 1000 years later, in one significant sentence from Psalm 110:4 — “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.’”
Since Psalm 110 is a Messianic prophecy, it is widely believed that “You” refers to Jesus Christ. How powerful and profound to read, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind..” Therefore, through David, the Lord revealed a theological concept of utmost importance, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek,” but the concept went unexplained in Psalm:110-4. It only took another 1000 years for the unknown Hebrews writer to delve into the meaning of the Genesis passage and the Psalm 110:4 verse. Let’s read Genesis and meet Melchizedek:
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything” (Genesis 14:18-20).
