Our last article looked at Abraham’s last words to Lot. “Let there be no strife… for we are brethren” reminds us of the importance of unity in the brotherhood today. Anything less causes problems for individuals separated from the body of believers by division, and diminishes our effectiveness in witnessing to the public.
In Melchizedek we have one of the most intriguing Old Testament characters. Who was he? We are not told exactly; speculating would be inappropriate. Scripturally speaking he had no mother or father, and no beginning or ending. Commenting on his identity beyond this would spoil this beautiful type of the Messiah. The type goes even further when we realize that Melchizedek was the King of Salem (or peace), as well as the King of Righteousness (by the meaning of his name) and also the priest of the Most High God (Heb. 7:1-3).
Melchizedek’s last (and in fact only) recorded words are: “Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand” (Gen. 14:19,20).
We see that Melchizedek “blessed” Abraham, and was therefore his superior (Heb. 7:7). Since Christ was to be a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Psa. 110:4), he could rightfully say, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58), not because he was chronologically before Abraham, but because he was his superior!
Then Scripture goes on to say that Melchizedek’s (and thus Christ’s) priesthood is superior to Aaron’s Levitical priesthood. How could this be? Because:
- Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, and
- Aaron, being in the loins of Abraham at that time, may also be said to have paid tithes to Melchizedek (see Heb. 7:4-11).
The Messiah was to be a “King-Priest” like Melchizedek, and therefore could not come from the tribe of Levi (Heb. 7:14). Jesus, of the tribe of Judah, will be king on David’s throne, but also a priest after the order of Melchizedek. In him we can partake of bread and wine, receive blessings, and find opportunity to pay tithes (i.e., to give a sacrifice of praise).
In Melchizedek’s last words, he uses the title “Most High God”, a rare title of God. This emphasizes his belief in the One True God, in contrast to pagan deities.
We see in Melchizedek’s “Famous Last Words” a wonderful foreshadowing of Jesus Christ and his work on our behalf. Jesus is truly our King-Priest, able to reconcile us to the Most High God, and grant that we should reign with him in truth, peace and righteousness, in the Kingdom.
“Thou art worthy… and hast made us kings and priests (literally, kingly priests) unto our God, and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:9,10).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One