By Messianic Teacher V. C. Cheney
After studying in depth about Melchizedek, one will come to realize who he really is. At first glance, he might have been one of Abraham’s forefather, but the apostolic letter to the Hebrews reveals that Melchizedek was without parents, having “no genealogy.”
All together there are 12 occurrences of Melchizedek in the Holy Scriptures. Out of all these, there are 3 major accounts that describe him more in depth: Genesis 14:18-19, Psalm 110 and Hebrews 7. Let us explore the mysterious figure that is Melchizedek.
Genesis 14:18-20, translated from the Complete Jewish Bible: Malki-Tzedek (Melchizedek) king of Shalem, brought out bread and wine. He was cohen (Priest) of El ‘Elyon (God Most High), so he blessed him with these words: “Blessed be Avram (Abram) by El ‘Elyon, maker of heaven of earth and blessed be El ‘Elyon, who handed your enemies over to you.” Avram gave him a tenth of everything.
The Genesis account of this unusual personality happened right after Abram/Abraham returned to Canaan from Egypt, after winning a great battle against the kings of the land who captured Lot and his family.
This narrative tells how “King” Melchizedek came to visit Abraham and spoke a particular blessing over him with the bread and wine, which is significant as it is also symbolic of Yeshua’s body and blood sacrifice at Passover.
Melchizedek also named YHVH as “Maker of heaven and earth,” and Yeshua used very similar words during his teaching, “Lord of heaven and earth.” Is Genesis 14 the first ever recorded Passover? Is this a prophetic foreshadow of what is to come, the greater Passover?
Abraham returned to the promised land after a great battle, then King Melchizedek came and blessed Abraham with his presence, sharing communion with him, which is likely an early version of the Passover seder. This story is a foreshadow of the first Egyptian Passover and a much greater future Passover, at the end of the age, with the wedding banquet of Yeshua and His bride, the gathered multitude of believers. (Revelation 19)
The name Melchizedek itself means, “King of Righteousness” or “King of Justice” and he is also the King of Salem, which is also a shorter version of the name Jerusalem or Salem, meaning “Peace.” Yeshua is hailed as the prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 is a prophecy of Yeshua: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, El Gibor (Mighty God), Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” And we know that peace is achieved only through Yeshua, not through the world’s political process or any governments of this world.
Let us now look at Psalm 110, a psalm of David in which he was hearing YHVH talking to His Adonai. Here David is referring to 2 different people. Most Bible versions translate “The Lord says to my Lord” which makes little sense unless you read it in Hebrew. So YHVH, the Father is telling David’s Lord/Adonai that he will sit at his right hand. It is a prophecy of Yeshua, who is now sitting at the right hand of YHVH.
This same person, Adonai Yeshua, two verses later, is also a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. Who is our high priest now, constantly interceding for us before YHVH? None other than Yeshua! The phrase, “According to the order” of Melchizedek, is another way of saying, “after the likeness” of Melchizedek. It is a very different priesthood, unlike the Aaronic priesthood but one that is everlasting.
These two old covenant accounts refer to Melchizedek as BOTH, a King AND a Priest. Two descendants of Jacob who served separately in the roles of kings and priests. The descendants of Judah, (Genesis 49) the fourth son of Jacob, inherited the rulership and the descendants of Levi, the third son of Jacob, inherited the priesthood. (Aaron was a descendant of Levi) No descendant of Jacob has ever functioned in both roles—except one. Yeshua is the only person who can ever function in both roles at the same time: that of the rulership AND priesthood.
The final account about Melchizedek is Hebrews 7:3, describes him as being “without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of YHVH, one who remains a priest forever.” Although Yeshua has a recorded genealogy (Matthew 1:1) dating back to King David… he was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. Therefore, he is without parents, but “adopted” into the family of Joseph and Mary. Or more likely, he adopted this family. Among all the families of Israel, he chose his birth and upbringing with Mary and Joseph.
Scriptures also describe Melchizedek as being LIKE the “Son of YHVH.” Yeshua is the only begotten Son of YHVH. Note, Hebrews 7 does not say He is the Son of YHVH, but “like” him. Why? Possibly because Yeshua, appeared as Melchizedek and was not yet in the physical flesh. He was in his pre-existent appearance.
When we put these three accounts together and consider them as a whole, we see that Yeshua is Melchizedek, fulfilling the dual functions of both King and High Priest, the only One without human parents, the One who will come back to defeat the kings attacking Jerusalem at the end of the age and bringing justice and peace to all the earth, and finally blessing us with His physical presence.
The Genesis account regarding Melchizedek is a foreshadow of the Passover accounts, the past exodus out of Egypt and a greater future worldwide exodus at the end of the age. (There are 11 Scripture references to the greater exodus.)
There is another account of Yeshua, in his pre-existent role, appearing to Abraham in the old covenant (old testament). In Genesis 18, three people came to visit Abraham, accompanied by two “angels.” In the next chapter, the same two angels saved Lot and his family from the judgement of Sodom and Gomorrah. The third person remained behind with Abraham. Who was he? Abraham, who bowed to this third personage and called him “Lord/Adonai,” revered this personage. We remember the design of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, and especially the Mercy Seat above the Ark of the Covenant. The two cherubim surrounded YHVH's presence, His glory cloud.
Conclusion: Melchizedek is no longer a mystery. We know Him as our Messiah. Melchizedek is Yeshua, our King and High Priest forever. “And when our High Priest offered himself to YHVH as a single sacrifice for sins, for all time, he sat down in the place of honor at YHVH’s right hand.” (Hebrews 10:12)
© Copyright 2012. By Messianic Teacher and Pastor Veronique, Signs & Wonders Ministry. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article might be re-printed or posted online without permission.
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