In the previous posts What Is Tithe? and Was It Moses That Introduced Tithing? I began the teaching on tithe as a fundamental aspect of Christian Giving.
Question No. 3 – Who did Abraham give a tithe to?
“After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is the King’s Valley). Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
~Genesis 14: 17-20
Abraham gave tithe –that is a tenth – to someone called Melchizedek.
It is worthy of note that Abraham did not give a tenth to the sons of Aaron. Because at the point that Abraham gave this tenth, even Isaac his son wasn’t yet born. Jacob, his grandson, whose children gave rise to the nation of Israel wasn’t even in existence. Aaron wasn’t born yet; so the priesthood of Aaron and the tabernacle were not in existence at that time.
Abraham gave tithe to Melchizedek almost five hundred years before God gave the Law through Moses.
Question No. 4 – Who is Melchizedek?
This is a very important question. I will take you through God’s word and show you some interesting things about Melchizedek. Then you will understand who Melchizedek actually is.
“This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!”
~Hebrews 7: 1-4
There are 10 important facts about Melchizedek that I’ll like you to pay attention to. Because by the time you grasp these facts about Melchizedek, it will be very clear to you who he is.
#1. Melchizedek is mentioned 10 times in God’s word.
Fact number one is that Melchizedek is mentioned 10 times in God’s word. His name appears 2 times in the Old Testament book of Genesis. Then he is mentioned 8 times in the New Testament book of Hebrews, thereby making it a total of 10 times. So the first account in God’s word of giving a tenth was by Abraham to a man who also happens to be mentioned 10 times in the bible. Now that’s an interesting coincidence. Melchizedek was mentioned 10 times in the bible, and he received a tenth from Abraham.
#2. Melchizedek showed up in the days of Abraham.
The second fact I want you to take note of is that Melchizedek showed up in the days Abraham. This story about the giving of tithe (actually it’s the “giving” of tithe, and not the “paying” of tithe) happened in the time of Abraham.
3. His name “Melchizedek” means king of righteousness.
The third fact about Melchizedek has to do with his name. His name “Melchizedek” means king of righteousness.
Does that ring any bells?
4. Melchizedek was the king of Salem – which means peace.
The fourth thing about Melchizedek is that he was the king of a place called Salem. The word “Salem” means peace, therefore Melchizedek was the king of peace.
King of righteousness? King of peace? It actually begins to get interesting at this point. Melchizedek is the king of righteousness, and also the king of peace.
5. Melchizedek is without father or mother.
The fifth fact about Melchizedek is that he is without father or mother. This shows for a start that whoever this is, he’s definitely not a mere human being.
6. Melchizedek has no genealogy.
Melchizedek has no genealogy. Genealogy refers to family tree – that is a list of ancestors and descendants. According to God’s word, Melchizedek had no genealogy. That means he had no ancestors and no descendants. He didn’t have a mother or father, and he wasn’t an orphan.
Hmmm…
7. Melchizedek is without beginning of days or end of life.
The seventh fact about Melchizedek is that he is without beginning of days, and he is without end of life.
Now, wait a minute…
I don’t think there are two people who share this characteristic. There’s only one person I know who doesn’t have a beginning, and who doesn’t have an end.
8. Like the son of God Melchizedek remains a priest forever.
Here’s the eighth fact about Melchizedek: God’s word tells us that like the son of God he remains a priest forever.
9. Melchizedek is greater than Abraham.
“This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater.”
~Hebrews 7: 6-7
From God’s word, the ninth thing we know about Melchizedek is that he is greater than Abraham.
10. Melchizedek is in the same class of priesthood like Jesus.
“…where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
~Hebrews 6:20
The tenth fact about Melchizedek is that Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek. That is to say that Melchizedek is in the same class of priesthood like Jesus.
Now I’ll like to ask you, if someone:
- is the king of righteousness
- and also the king of peace
- doesn’t have a father or a mother
- doesn’t have a genealogy
- does not have beginning of days or end of life
- is also greater than Abraham
- is a priest in the same class of Jesus
Who then do you think he is?
It can only be one person. Melchizedek is the priest of the Most High God; the person we know today as Jesus Christ. You will need a lot of mental dishonesty, and theological acrobatics to come to any other conclusions.
Memory Verse:
Hebrews 7: 1-4
“This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!”Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the awesome truths revealed in Your word. Enable me to fully grasp and walk in this understanding, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.