Things We Know – Things We Don’t Know Who was he? Was it Christ? What can we learn from Melchizedek?

What We Know: Name – Genesis 14:18 Melchizedek Name means “king of righteousness” City – Genesis 14:18 Salem – means “peace” Old name for city later called Jerusalem

What We Know: King – Genesis 14:18 Not a nation – just a city King = mayor of a city and area around Priest – Genesis 14:18 Not a pagan priest “El Elyon” – Hebrew – “Most High God” Same God Abraham worshipped (Genesis 14:19)

What We Know: Kind – Genesis 14:18 Brought Abraham bread and wine Was Paid Tithes – Genesis 14:20 Tithe = “a tenth part” Question – a 10 th of what? Mentioned in Scripture OT – Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110:4 NT – Hebrews 5:6; 5:10; 6:20; 7:1-21

What We Don’t Know: Names of parents When he was born or died Where he was born or died His ancestry (family tree)

What We Don’t Know: Nehemiah 7:61b - but they could not identify their father’s house nor their lineage, whether they were of Israel: Nehemiah 7:64 – These sought their listing among those who were registered by genealogy, but it was not found; therefore they were excluded from the priesthood as defiled.

What We Don’t Know: ISBE – The argument of Hebrews 7 is similar to the rabbinic argument from silence, which assumed tht nothing exists unless Scripture mentions it. Since Genesis says nothing about Melchizedek’s parents, genealogy, birth, or death, he serves as a type representing the eternal Son of God.

What We Don’t Know: Halley’s Bible Handbook – What is the meaning of “without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life”? Not that it was actually so, but that it appeared so in the Old Testament records.

What We Don’t Know: Halley’s Bible Handbook – Levitical priests were priests because of their genealogy. But Melchizedek, without genealogy, was the recognized priest of the human race at that time. A mysterious, solitary picture and type, in the dim past, of the coming Eternal Priest – King.

A False View Some assume that Melchizedek was Christ appearing to Abraham. This is assumed from: No beginning, no end Continually a priest This view fails to understand some passages

A False View Made like To copy, to become like, make oneself like Hebrews 7:3 - 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. 2 things required – one of which is a clone, a copy, made to look like the other

A False View Another Greek (heteros) Hebrews 7:15 - And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest Heteros – another of a different type “I have moved to another house.” Allos – another of the same type “Here is another songbook.”

A False View Type / Antitype Like a rubber stamp To strike against and leave an imprint Branding cattle, stamp, wax seal Thayer – The mark of a stroke, a figure formed by a blow or impression

A False View Type / Antitype Type – the pattern, blueprint, design The tabernacle was a pattern Hebrews 8:5 - who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

A False View Type / Antitype Antitype – the thing itself Hebrews 9:24 - For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;

A False View TypeAntitype TypeAntitype PatternDress BlueprintHouse DesignNew car TabernacleHeaven MelchizedekChrist

What We Should Learn Combination of king and priest Not possible under Law of Moses Kings from Judah Priests from Levi Jesus is BOTH Mary – Levi Joseph – Judah Melchizedek is the type – king and priest – Christ is the antitype

What We Should Learn Anointed One Hebrew – Messiah Greek – Christ 3 offices are anointed Prophet Priest King Jesus fills all 3 offices

What We Should Learn Treatment of strangers We should treat ALL people with respect Melchizedek honored Abraham Abraham honored Melchizedek Abraham honored the king of Sodom

What We Should Learn Who was higher? Abraham was a Patriarch over his family Little is known about the priesthood of Melchizedek Melchizedek’s priesthood is older than the Law of Moses It is also higher than the priesthood of Levi

What We Should Learn OT shows the “type” Hebrews 8:5b - For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 1 Peter 3:21 - There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ

What We Should Learn NT shows the “antitype” TypeAntitype TypeAntitype MelchizedekChrist IsraelChurch NoahSalvation TabernacleWorship

What We Should Learn Melchizedek is the pattern, the blue print, that will lead us to Christ. Follow the pattern. You will live in heaven itself.