Genesis 14: Melchizedek The Priest-King

Some people can find almost anything in scripture.  You've probably seen the banner ads promising "secrets of the Bible code" or other such far-fetched numerology claims.  While those types of insights are likely to be fruitless, sometimes scripture is shocking in the detailed foreshadowing and hidden meanings we can discover.  Such is the case with Melchizedek, the priest-king of Salem.

The author of the book of Hebrews will later come back to Genesis 14 and focus on these few verses about the mysterious personage Melchizedek.  He is regarded as a forerunner of Jesus, being a priestly order all of his own (as opposed to Aaron).

Here are some of the amazing things about Melchizedek:

• He is a king, like Jesus was a king.
• He is a priest, like Jesus was a priest.  (It was highly unusual for anyone to serve as both king and priest.)
• He is a priest of "God Most High."  He is a monotheist (believing in one God) in a culture full of polytheists.
• His home base was Salem - which would one day become Jerusalem, the central city of the story of salvation.
• He blesses Abram.
• He blesses Abram's God.
• He gives bread and wine to Abram.  (The first communion supper in scripture?)
• Abram tithes to Melchizedek.

Scripture is amazingly cohesive.  Although it was written by dozens of different men (all led along by inspiration from the one Spirit), a single narrative is intact.  God is at work to save His people.  Melchizedek is a stunning example of the thread of salvation that winds through the entire tapestry of the Bible.