“Now this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, met Abraham as he returned from defeating the kings and blessed him. To him, Abraham also apportioned a tithe of everything. His name first means king of righteousness, then king of Salem, this, king of peace. Without father, without mother, without genealogy, he has neither beginning of days nor end of life but is like the son of God, and he remains a priest for all time. But see how great he must be, if Abraham the patriarch gave him a tithe of his plunder. And those of the sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have authorization according to the law to collect a tithe from the people, that is, from their fellow countrymen, although they too are descendants of Abraham.” Hebrews 7:1-5 NET
In a previous blog post, I discussed the fascinating details
of Melchizedek’s name and priesthood. However, I want to delve into a vital comparison:
the priesthood of the sons of Levi versus the priesthood of Melchizedek. The
writer of Hebrews highlights a crucial difference between these two
priesthoods. The Levitical priesthood is strictly regulated by genealogy, as it
is closely tied to Abraham’s lineage. In stark contrast, the Melchizedek
priesthood is not bound by ancestry; it is an open and inclusive priesthood
defined solely by the righteousness of the Most High God. This focus on
righteousness as the one essential qualification for the Melchizedek priesthood
is inspiring and uplifting, encouraging us to pursue a deeper
understanding of what it means to be connected to God’s righteousness.
Another comparison is the Levitical priesthood, which represents a
priesthood of death. It necessitates ongoing sacrifices and death to atone for
sins and purify the temple, preserving sacred space. In stark contrast,
the Melchizedek priesthood embodies a priesthood of life, eliminating the need
for continual sacrifices. Instead, it promotes a profound indwelling of God’s
presence and offers a transformative revelation of His righteousness. This
comparison highlights the shift from a system bound by ritual sacrifice to one
that embraces a deeper relationship with the divine.
I firmly believe that the Melchizedek priesthood was God’s
intended design from the very beginning. In the Garden of Eden, God embodied
Himself and walked with Adam during the cool evenings, creating a profoundly
personal relationship. Their conversations included
everything—not just spiritual issues. In His righteousness, God instilled in
Adam a deep awareness of what is right and just. At that time in Eden, with
only Adam and later with Eve, there was no need for a king; their bond with God
was intimate and direct. Though Adam was a created being and God a divine,
celestial being, there was a beautiful mutuality in their interaction, as Adam
and Eve were cherished members of God’s family.
After the catastrophic rebellion in Eden, triggered by a
celestial being known as the Accuser, Adam and Eve lost all the abundant
provisions that had once been theirs. They were forced to abandon the idyllic
garden and confront the harsh and unforgiving world that awaited them. The
sacred space where God had walked with them became a fading memory. Outside the
garden, they faced the daunting challenge of survival—laboring to cultivate the
land for food and yearning for the comforting evening strolls with God. Their
lives had irrevocably changed; they had entered a stark new reality, a new
paradigm created by their poor choices, yet God did not forget them.
A priesthood is a vital institution, especially for communities—whether tribes, extended families, or cities—that seek guidance towards righteousness and a proper understanding of their God’s purpose for their lives. This is where the story of Abraham becomes pivotal. God intended to establish a new lineage, and He chose Abraham and Sarah for this critical task. Abraham heard God’s voice and believed in its truth with unwavering faith. In a time when there were no scriptures—since the Old Testament had yet to be written—Abraham solely relied on the divine messages he received directly from God to navigate his life’s choices. This profound relationship exemplifies the essence of faith and leadership.
The difference with Abraham lies in God’s intention to
create an entire people group through Abraham’s descendants who would serve as
His priests. It wasn’t by coincidence that Melchizedek appeared to Abraham. However, Melchizedek was a Canaanite priest; Abraham recognized that this man
also had a connection with God similar to his own and that, as a priest, he
represented the Most High God. Interestingly, in the Canaanite language,
Melchizedek means “My God is Tsdek,” referring to the Most High God.
This linguistic insight into Melchizedek’s name helps clarify his understanding
of the divine. Even though Abraham did not know the name of God as Yahweh, like
Moses did many years later, the scripture indicates that he invoked God’s name by a different
name, which very well could have been the name Tsdek. As I previously mentioned, there were different names for the same God in the various cultures of Abraham’s time. This priest provided Abraham with context for understanding the character
of God’s name, specifically as the King of Righteousness.
It becomes clear that Melchizedek’s priesthood transcends
Abraham’s lineage, highlighting its more profound significance. This unique
quality—his priesthood operating outside the covenant with Abraham—underscores
why Melchizedek is essential to our understanding of faith. Our redemption is
not limited to Abraham; it connects us to a holy priesthood that existed in
Christ long before the world was formed. This priesthood brings us into an
intimate relationship with our ‘Most High God.’ Through Christ, we are transformed
into the sacred space God inhabits; we become a reflection of Eden.
We walk with God in the cool of the evening, and each morning we are lovingly
invited back into His presence. Christ stands at the center of our spiritual
journey, offering daily sustenance and embodying everything we need.
Though Melchizedek was a man, he held the esteemed role of a priest of the Most High God, a position we now fulfill through Christ. He stands as a prophetic figure, symbolizing the future realization of our present Christian identity. In recognition of his significance, Abraham willingly offered him a tithe from the spoils gained in his battles against the kings of the land. The latter gives honor to the former. This tribute from Abraham to Melchizedek encapsulates the hope and promise woven into our Christian identity, reminding us of the importance of honor and faith as we walk out our spiritual journey.
Stephen Barnett
No comments:
Post a Comment