Genesis 14

Battles and Blessings

On first reading Genesis 14, it strikes us that this is one of these historical passages of the Old Testament which really is of little importance or significance to the main story. After all, the narrative moves from chapter 13, and Abram's settling in the land of Canaan, to the reaffirmation of the covenant promise in chapter 15. All that lies in between seems tangential to the story of the unfolding revelation of God's covenant grace.

What happens in Genesis 14? There is a war between the kings of Shinar, Ellasar and Elam and Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Bela. Lot, Abram's nephew, had settled in the plain of Jordon, where Sodom and Gomorrah were situated, and he was caught up in the battle. IN fact, Genesis 14 tells us that he was captured. Immediately, Abram sets a rescue mission in progress, and rescues Lot. The same concern which was demonstrated in chapter 13 when Abram gave Lot first choice of the land is seen now in the length to which Abram is prepared to go to rescue his nephew and deliver him from the hand of the enemies.

On returning from this battle, Abram met Melchisedek, king of Salem, described as priest of God Most High. Melchisedek blessed Abram, and Abram gave a tithe - a tenth of all his possessions to him. It was after this (15:1) that God reiterated the blessings of the covenant and the terms of the covenant promise.

We would probably read over this without attaching much significance to it, were it not for the fact that the New Testament casts its own light for us on what happens here. Hebrews 6:20-7:19 argues explicitly that Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, has a priesthood after the order of Melchisedek. The prophecy of Psalm 110, which Jesus applies to himself in Matthew 22:41-46, also argues that Jesus, exalted to the right hand of God, was a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek. What was the significance of this?

Melchisedek - Sign of God's Large Heart

In terms of the theology of the Old Testament, it is clear that God had true worshippers even outwith the line of the physical seed of the covenant. Although the purposes of God's salvation focussed in a unique way upon the line of Noah, through Abram, Isaac and Jacob, there were others who gave homage and worship to the true God. These instances in the Old Testament, of people like Melchisedek, Ruth, Naaman and others, who came to acknowledge the God of the Hebrews to be their God, foreshadowed the New Testament era in which from north, south, east and west, God would gather men and women into his own kingdom. The appearance of Melchisedek as a true worshipper of God is a signal of the breadth of the Gospel invitation and of God's covenant mercy.

Melchisedek - Sign of God's Immediate Presence

But, more importantly, Melchisedek, whose name means King of Righteousness, was king of Salem (meaning King of Peace), and was a symbol to Abram of the very presence of God himself. Abram received a blessing from him, and gave a tenth of everything to him. There was in the presence of Melchisedek what we could call a sacramental sign of the nearness and of the blessing of Jehovah.

In the depths of the Old Testament, in the book of beginnings, before there is any legislation given to govern the priesthood or to make provision for sacrifice, Melchisedek appears, as the priest of God. Here is one who worships Jehovah, who offers sacrifice and praise to the King of Heaven. There is a clear and an unambiguous worship here, to which Abram draws near and in which Abram lifts up his hands to Heaven. God's blessing is pronounced upon Abram, and Abram's goods are dedicated to God.

And ought that not to be the meaning of our sacraments, and, indeed, of all the blessings we enjoy in the Gospel? That God's blessing is on us, and that our lives and all our goods are to be dedicated to him? May we seek His benediction, and live in consecration to Him, as our Lord and our God.

Melchisedek - Sign of a Coming Priest

Above all, Melchisedek foreshadowed the kind of priest God would provide for his people in Jesus Christ - one who would serve God acceptably and with godly fear, who would be, and do, for his people, all that they needed in order to worship God and be brought near to him.

Hebrews 7 spells out the connection and similarity between Melchisedek and Jesus - "without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually" (Hebrews 7:3). Unlike the priesthood that came through Aaron and Levi, which depended upon proof of genealogy and descent, Christ's priesthood is underived and is not passed on to any other. He stands unique, with an everlasting priesthood, an effective sacrifice, and a message of reconciliation and hope for all who trust in him. May we know his blessing, and yield our all to him!

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchisedek.

Hebrews 6:19-20