Genesis 14: 17-24 Mysterious Melchizedek

After Abraham defeats the kings and frees Lot, the king of Sodom comes to meet Abraham. Another person, Melchizedek, also appears out of nowhere. His name comes from two words meaning “king” and “righteousness.”

This king blesses Abraham by the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth. He mentions that the Most High God has given Abraham the victory in his battle to rescue Lot.

Who is this king? Some say that he is a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. Others say that this person is merely a priest of the region who arrives out of nowhere to bless Abraham. Still others suggest that he is an angelic being.

The Bible says that Jesus is a high priest “in the order of Melchizedek” (Heb 5:10). Hebrews 7 comments extensively about Jesus in relation to this mysterious king of Abraham’s day.

Regardless of the identity of Melchizedek and his relationship to Jesus, he provides encouragement for us. First, he tells Abraham that the Most High God had been with him during the battle. That statement would have been an encouragement to Abraham.

Second, Melchizedek came out of nowhere. In a book that contains lists of genealogical records, we know nothing about him. How could it be that this person would mention the Most High God to Abraham?

When you and I are in difficult times, God sometimes sends the most unlikely person to encourage us. At just the right time someone appears on the scene. They have just the right words to say or are able to do just the thing we need done at the moment.

I know a pastor who was involved in a church building project performed by the members of the church. They were having a terrible time putting up some of the structural components for the top of the church. They just couldn’t do it.

The pastor made the problem a matter of prayer. He found himself thinking about it in the middle of the night.

One morning he heard a knock at the door. Two men he had never seen appeared. They said, “We heard you are building a church, and we are here to help.”

When the men began to help, they knew exactly how to solve the problem. The walked on the beams high above the ground as if they were strolling down the sidewalk. They had the precise skills needed to complete the work.

Have you ever experienced God’s help in that way? He is just as able to respond in that way today as he was in Abraham’s day.

Be encouraged today and know that God is with you. Trust in Him. Commit your way to Him. He can bless you and help you in your times of need.

Finally, the king of Sodom asked Abraham to give him the people and keep the possessions from the battle. Abraham refused. He did not want to acquire possessions in that way, “I will take nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal. That way you can never say, ‘It is I who made Abram rich” (14:23).

Notice how much importance Abraham placed on giving glory to God in all things. Even in regard to wealth, Abraham trusted the Lord. He was not willing to do anything that might bring discredit to the Lord.

In our day, many people prize possessions and money above everything else. They are willing to do whatever it takes to become rich.

As believers we must maintain the right perspective on these things. We should trust the Lord to meet these needs, and we should refuse to do anything that might bring reproach to His name.

Abraham is a great example for us. He was not perfect in everything he did, but he walked with God and loved him. He did not let things of this world diminish his love or dependence on the Lord. Let’s pray that the Lord would by His grace help us to live as Abraham lived and to walk with God throughout our lives.

“The Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness contiunues through all generations.” - Psalm 100:5