"And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the Priest of the most high God. 19 And he blessed him, and said, 'Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.' And he gave him tithes of all" (Genesis 14:18-20).
I bed the reader, very particularly, in entering upon the perusal of these verses to call to mind our motto: Moses wrote of Christ.
And with this impression to turn to the 7th chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews and diligently compare both Scriptures: and may the same Almighty Teacher, who guided the apostle's pen in that chapter to explain this Old Testament Scripture, lead the reader into a clear apprehension of the whole.
• Of this Melchisedek it is said that he was 'without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life.'
Of whom could this be said, but of Him of whom the prophet speaks; Isaiah 53:8. Proverbs 8:23, compared with Acts 8:33-35?
• Again. Of Melchisedek it is said that he is a priest for ever.
But who is a priest for ever, excepting Him described in Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:17-21?
• So once more. Of Melchisedek it is said that he abideth continually like the Son of God, and that it is witnessed of him that he liveth; Hebrews 7:3-8.
But that no question of doubt might arise to whom these things referred, the apostle points out by many infallible marks to Him of whom these things were spoken. See Hebrews 7 throughout.
Reader? Who think you was this Melchisedek?
Can you bear testimony as Nathaniel did upon a similar occasion; John 1:49: 'Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel'?
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Leave, I charge thee, every other consideration as trifling and unimportant to attend to what is related in this chapter concerning this Melchisedek, priest of the Most High God.
Surely I behold in Him Jesus the Son of God, who was indeed set up as the Covenant-head from everlasting, in the Eternal Councils? and whose delights were with the sons of men before He made the earth or the highest part of the dust of the world.
• He was indeed, in the truest sense of the word, without father as Man, and without mother as God; having neither beginning of days nor end of life: for He is Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and for ever.
• And is He not also King of Righteousness?
Yes! Even the Lord our Righteousness.
And, blessings to His holy name! He hath wrought out and brought in an everlasting righteousness, which is unto all and upon all that believe.
• And He is no less King of peace; for He hath made our peace in the blood of His cross.
Hail Thou Great Almighty Melchisedek! Be Thou a priest upon Thy throne for me; since Thou hast an unchangeable priesthood, and ever livest to make intercession for sinners, and art able to save to the uttermost all that come to God by Thee.
Son of God! Help me by Thy Holy Spirit to go forth in the spiritual warfare, against all the enemies of my salvation, as Abram did to the slaughter of the kings.
And do Thou bring forth Thy bread and Thy wine, even Thy precious body and blood, which is meat indeed, and drink indeed, and refresh my soul by the way.
And since I have nothing, Lord, to offer Thee but what is Thine, accept of Thine own which Thou hast given me.
By Thee, blessed Lord, would I desire grace, to offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, the fruit both of my lips and of my heart, giving thanks to Thy name.
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