RPG Adults
THE CHARACTER OF MELCHIZEDEK
LORD’S DAY, AUGUST 18
Hebrews 7:1-10
John 8:56-59
“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my
day: and he saw it, and was glad.”
THE CHARACTER OF MELCHIZEDEK
The book of Job is like a window through which we can view the relationship that the people then had with God. Job was a priest to his family, but Melchizedek was a priest to more people, possibly the people of his kingdom. There was no separation of state and religion. In the inter-testamentary period, the high priests also held the office of governor. Melchizedek had so much in common with Christ that the writer chose to show his particulars as an accurate type of the Messiah. The text gives the details of the similarities between Christ and this ancient priest. He is said to have been without father or mother.
Suggestions have been made to mean that his parents were not known, but not that they did not exist. Since no other details are given about him, speculation is not to be made beyond that which is revealed in Scripture. It is added also that he was without descent and did not have a beginning of days or end of life.
That he was a priest continually fits well with the priesthood of Christ. The comparison of the priesthood of Christ and that of Melchizedek was used to convince the immediate audience (the Hebrews) that Jesus was indeed the Messiah and holds the offices of a priest and king as well as that of a prophet.
THOUGHT: Christ is not only a priest. He is also the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
PRAYER: Father, may I be contented with Jesus Christ’s work of mediation as my Redeemer, for there is no other mediator.