RPG Adults
THE PRIESTHOOD OF MELCHIZEDEK
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17
Hebrews 7:1-10
Genesis 14:18-20
“And blessed be the most high God, which
hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand …”
THE PRIESTHOOD OF MELCHIZEDEK
The priesthood of Christ is compared with that of Melchizedek. His priesthood had certain qualities of Christ’s priesthood. His service to Abraham was only once and his ancestry is mysterious. However he was a real priest. He was a type of Christ. The Jewish mind had to recognise the ministry of Christ in the light of that priesthood.
The identity of Melchizedek cannot be clearly verified as there is little historical background of him. He is called king of Salem. (Salem is an old name for Jerusalem.) The name also means “King of peace.” He was a priest of the Most High God. His story is mentioned once in Genesis 14:18. He is also referred to in the book of Psalms and then in the Epistle to the Hebrews. Abraham was highly regarded by the Jews, but Melchizedek is presented as superior to him.
He is also called “King of righteousness,” a title that belongs only to Christ. He was a king yet he was also a priest. In the Genesis encounter, he is said to have received tithes from Abraham. The particulars relating to the order of priests in the days of Abraham is not known. There are no details given as in the case of the priesthood of Aaron and the Levites. However this older one is presented as superior to that of Aaron. There were no written Scriptures at that time but the people then knew God and served the way it is done today. Melchizedek had many of the qualities of Christ. He was thus a superior mediator to Aaron.
THOUGHT: Sin separated man from God and, as such, man needs a mediator to reconcile him to the Creator.
PRAYER: Father, grant me the grace that I may be a testimony of Thy righteousness.