Who is Melchizedek?

 There are some things in the Bible that are just hard to figure out. That is not true about 99% of the Bible. God has made everything we need to know to be saved and to live a good Christian life very clear. However, there are a few things that leave us scratching our heads. My pastor when I was growing up at Peachcrest Baptist Church, Bro. Arwood, said we would just have to wait for the HBC to learn those things, the Heavenly Bible Class. Melchizedek is one of those things.

After Abram rescued Lot with all of his people and possessions, a person just appeared without too much introduction. Then, he disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. (Genesis 14:18-20) Melchizedek, the King of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. Then he blessed Abram saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High who has defeated your enemies for you." Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth (tithe) of all the goods he had recovered. Let's see what clues we have about Melchizedek's identity.

He was King of Salem, which means King of peace. He was also a priest of God Most High at the same time. He is the only person to hold both offices at the same time. He pronounced a blessing on Abram, which means he was greater than Abram, and he cared for him by bringing him bread and wine after the battle. Then, Abram gave him a tenth of everything which was an act of worship and adoration. So basically God's chosen man encountered someone greater than himself and worshiped him before Melchizedek departed never to be seen again in this form.

So, who is Melchizedek? I think he was a pre-incarnation visit of Jesus to this earth. Jesus is the King of Peace, and Jesus is our High Priest at the same time. Jesus cared for Abram and gave Him victory over his enemies so he could rescue Lot with his people and possessions. He spoke for God Most High, since He was God, and He received the tithe because He was worthy of worship. All that points to him being Jesus, but a lot of scholars who are smarter than me think he was just a person, and maybe a type of Christ in the Old Testament. We will just have to wait for the HBC, won't we?

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 15-17.