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.”
(Genesis 14:18-20)
After the calling of Abram (Genesis 12:1-3), but before God’s covenant with him (recorded in Genesis 15), and about 700 years before the establishment of the Levitical priesthood (Exodus 28), there is this brief but beautiful account of the blessing of Melchizedek.
This lends insight into the fact that, as Jesus confirmed (John 5:17), God is always working—often in unseen ways and places. He is working even now in other parts of the world, through servants we know nothing about, in ways we don’t understand—all pointing to the Christ of God.
The priesthood from the tribe of Levi, and the familial line of Aaron, seems to be the primary focus in the Bible. However, the Spirit here reveals another order appointed by God, by oath (Psalm 110:4). While the Levitical priesthood served the Israelites for a time, the order of Melchizedek would eternally serve all humanity. For the Bible subsequently reveals that Jesus is the Great High Priest appointed by God from that order.
We further learn from Hebrews 7 that “this Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. … First, the name Melchizedek means ‘king of righteousness’; then also, ‘king of Salem’ means ‘king of peace.’”
The resemblance is uncanny, isn’t it? Oh, the infinite wisdom of God! But the thing about resemblance is that although things look similar in some ways, they can be completely different.
We do see a very real type in Melchizedek—of one holding both offices of priest and king of the Most High God, who blesses with bread and wine. But Jesus, who now fulfills those roles to perfection for eternity (Hebrews 7:3), is also Creator and the One who delivers us from our enemies. He is both the offering and the sacrifice, who has provided eternal atonement. He is the holy, unstained, indestructible, exalted High Priest. And His priesthood, without flaw or weakness, is permanent, therefore, “He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25). And since He is also Son of God and Son of Man, He is empathetic to the plight of our humanity (Hebrews 4:15). Therefore, “let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
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