Scripture: Genesis 14:17-18
After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer
and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the
Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). Then Melchizedek king of Salem
brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High…
Melchizedek. He’s a very enigmatic character whom
the writer of Hebrews reminds us is a foreshadowing of Christ because this
person is both a king and a priest, just as Jesus is before the Lord.
But Melchizedek’s appearance in this story is
interesting in itself. Notice that he was not one of the kings involved in the
war with Kedorlaomer. He didn’t ally with Kedorlaomer or with the rebel kings.
He was neutral. Why is that?
Let’s take a closer look at this king-priest. His
name means “King of Righteousness,” and the name of his city means “Peace.” So,
he’s literally King of Righteousness, the King of Peace. He doesn’t get down
and dirty with the wars of his day. Instead, he remains peaceful and then,
brings out refreshments for the warriors once the dust has settled. The bread
and wine that he brings to the battlefield is a sign of reconciliation for the
two parties (you don’t eat with your enemy), just as Christ’s bread and wine at
the Last Supper was a sign of the reconciliation between God and us.
The question is, how we can be more like
Melchizedek? How can we show the righteousness God has given us by standing
apart from the messiness and the squabbling of the world while also offering
reconciliation and peace to the people of the world?
As you go through your day, look for opportunities
to be a Melchizedek to the people around you.
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Find your next reading on my Devotions page!
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