The Order of Righteousness

By Pastor Chad

There are quite a few mysterious and unknown features within Scripture. Few are as mysterious and unique, however, as the enigmatic figure Melchizedek. Who is Melchizedek? And what in the world does he have to do with Jesus? 

You all likely know that Abraham, the great patriarch of the Hebrew people, had a nephew named Lot. Abraham’s shepherds and Lot’s shepherds couldn’t get along. So, Abraham offered a piece of land around Sodom for Lot to dwell. In Genesis 14, we read that four Canaanite kings, led principally by Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, captured Sodom (along with Lot and his family). In response, Abraham gathered 318 trained men and defeated Chedorlaomer and the coalition of 4 kings. Upon Abraham’s return from victory, he stopped to offer tribute to the obscure king of Salem, Melchizedek. 

We know very little about Melchizedek. He is only mentioned twice in the Old Testament: in Genesis 14 and Psalm 110. He is mentioned 8 times in the New Testament–all in the book of Hebrews. Much of what we know, comes from Hebrews 7:1–2: “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.”

His kingdom, Salem, was ancient Jerusalem. Salem means peace, but Melchizedek's name means king of righteousness. He wasn’t just a king, though, according to the author of Hebrews, he was also a priest of the Most High God. So he was a Royal Priest–a rare title and role. Keep in mind, the Mosaic Law had not been given yet. Moses was born approximately 500 years after Abraham. So, Melchizedek was not a priest in the line of Levi, and he was not of Hebrew descent. So who is he? 

Some claim he is the pre-incarnate Christ. I personally don’t hold that view, but there have been some great men of God who did. Additionally, we must be honest in saying: Scripture never explicitly claims Melchizedek is the pre-incarnate Christ. In fact, we are  only given two specifics about Melchizedek: 1) He was a Yahweh worshipper outside of the Hebrew descendency. 2) He was of a righteous priestly order that Abraham respected. So why is the author of Hebrews referring to him?     

The depth and breadth of the Word of God consistently amazes me. God is so sovereign over creation that even events recorded in Scripture foreshadow or point to the redemptive work of God. His providence is so intricate, that Scriptural figures are types of the coming Messiah. Melchizedek is being used as someone that prefigures the coming Messiah. Jesus is a Royal Priest (just like Melchizedek). Jesus isn’t of the priestly line of Levi (just like Melchizedek). And many functions fulfilled by Jesus were gestured to in the life of Melchizedek. Hebrews uses Melchizedek as a figure pointing to Christ. More to the point, Hebrews shows how Jesus is superior to Melchizedek by ultimately completing a function Melchizedek alluded to, but never accomplished. 

In my sermon this coming Sunday, we will look at some of those functions the figure of Melchizedek alludes to, but never accomplishes.