Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 14:17-24. Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2014&version=NASB1995
I quote only the following verses.
“Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
He gave him a tenth of all.” Genesis 14:17-20.
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Today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on how Christ is like Melchizedek. All, or almost all, of Hebrews chapter 7 is devoted to that point.
In a nutshell summary, like Melchizedek, Christ is a priest, but also like Melchizedek, Christ had special qualities superior to ordinary priests in the Levitical priesthood.
“For it is attested of Him (Christ),
“YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER
ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.” Hebrews 7:17.
So what were the special and superior qualities of Melchizedek that were like the special and superior qualities of Christ?
The name of Melchizedek, King of Salem, is translated as “king of righteousness” and “king of peace”. Hebrews 7:2.
Melchizedek appears out of nowhere in the Bible, so we may not understand the following of what was said of Melchizedek: “Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.” Hebrews 7:3. But, we can at least glean the conclusion that these special and superior qualities of Melchizedek were like the special and superior qualities of Christ.
Abraham was a great man, the patriarch, greatly blessed by the LORD. But, notice the following comparisons between Abraham and Melchizedek.
“Now observe how great this man (Melchizedek) was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham. But the one (Melchizedek) whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham …” Hebrews 7:4-6.
“… and (Melchizedek) blessed the one (Abraham) who had the promises. But without any dispute the lesser (Abraham) is blessed by the greater (Melchizedek).” Hebrews 7:6-7.
Melchizedek, like Christ, did not arise through the Levitical priesthood. Hebrews 7:11. “For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.” Hebrews 7:14-16.
What can these special and superior qualities of Christ do for us?
“For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. And inasmuch as it was not without an oath (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,
“THE LORD HAS SWORN
AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND,
‘YOUR ARE A PRIEST FOREVER’”);.
so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.” Hebrews 7:18-22.
As a quick side note, the source of the preceding quote comes from the following Psalm chapter 110 which teaches us more about Christ, especially His strong sovereign rule.
“The LORD says to my Lord:
“Sit at My right hand
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
2 The LORD will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying,
“Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
3 Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power;
In holy array, from the womb of the dawn,
Your youth are to You as the dew.
4 The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
5 The Lord is at Your right hand;
He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath.
6 He will judge among the nations,
He will fill them with corpses,
He will shatter the chief men over a broad country.
7 He will drink from the brook by the wayside;
Therefore He will lift up His head.” Psalm chapter 110.
Consider the following conclusion of Hebrews chapter 7.
“The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.” Hebrews 7:23-28.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 