Okay, so before we can point out the distinction, we just have to understand what’s going on here. Abram has met God, God has invited Abram into a land that he would be shown, and he’s following God’s directions. Understand Abraham’s not following Scriptures, he’s not referring to prophecies, he’s, none of that has happened yet. So, the Bible that we are reading hasn’t happened yet at all. But Abram knows who he’s following and that his entire destiny is based upon that relationship, because he’s left behind his home and all of the resources and culture that he’s used to navigating and he’s away from all of that, and he’s pursuing the direction of the God who introduced himself to him. So, he’s clear that his life is in God’s hands. So, we have the king of Salem who is a priest of the most high God, who’s coming out and blesses Abram. Of course, Abram in rescuing his kin, Lot, also saves the necks of several bunch of kings, one of them, the king of Sodom, who expects that he will have to reward Abram for what he’s done and is trying to negotiate that deal. Abram makes a distinction, he gives a tithe, a 10th to Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God. But tells the king of Sodom he won’t take anything; he’s not taking anything from anyone in terms of plunder because in no way is he leaving the door open that later someone will be able to say that they made Abram. Right, they made Abraham who he is. Abram is acknowledging God alone. So, we can say that we can say that solidly and that’s our first introduction to Melchizedek. Abraham makes a distinction between the king of Salem, priest of the most high God, and the other kings. So, who is this guy, and does his name mean something? According to the Scriptures, Melchizedek is the king of Salem or Salem, also known Jarut-Salem, or Yarusalem or Yarushalime. So, Melchizedek is a Canaanite king who rules the region and city of Jerusalem, also known as Salem. And the majority of biblical scholars would agree on that. What does his name mean? So, Melchi-Zedek, that the king of righteousness or maybe more literally, my king is righteous, or maybe even more literally my king is right and that’s it. Melchizedek only shows up one other time in the Old Testament by name and that is found in the Psalms, Psalm 110 verse 3, which reads the Lord has sworn and will not change his mind. You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. And thoughts about this begin to spray off into all kinds of different directions from there. And I mean, you can see how the order of Melchizedek, what is that? I mean, that sounds like the title to a thriller, does it not? I mean what is the order of Melchizedek and how does one get into the club?
Daily Readings and Commentary from the Daily Audio Bible