Summary of Genesis 14:17-24:
Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him. The king of Sodom came out to meet him. Then Melchizedek king of Salem (or Jerusalem) and a priest of God brought out bread and wine. He blessed Abram and Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
The king of Sodom asked Abram for his people back that had been carried away by Kedorlaomer but told Abram he could keep the goods. Abram said he has sworn to God that he will accept nothing from him so that he could not say he had made Abram rich. He will only accept what they have eaten and what the men who accompanied him want.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 9, Day 5: Genesis 14:17-24
14) Well, first off, the king of Salem is a believer in God. He brought out food and wine and blessed Abram, so Abram gave him a tenth of everything. The king of Sodom came empty-handing, asking for things back.
15) Isaiah 2:3 says that the word of the Lord will go out from Jerusalem (where Melchizedek is from). Isaiah 9:6-7 says
Hebrews 2:17-18: Jesus had to be made like his brothers (flesh and blood) so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God and to be able to make atonement for man’s sins.
Hebrews 4:14-5:10: Jesus is our great high priest who has gone through the heavens who can sympathize with our weaknesses for he has been tempted in every way just as we are–and remain without sin. Let us hold firmly to our faith, approach God with confidence so we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.
Every high priest is selected among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for our sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray and offer sacrifices for our sins.
Priests must be called by God. Jesus was called to be a High Priest by God in the order of Melchizedek. Jesus prayed to God and he was heard because of his submission. He was obedient and made perfect for our eternal salvation for all who obey him.
Hebrews 6:18-7:28: God swore promises to us by Himself so that we may have hope and encouragement. This hope anchors our soul and enters the inner sanctuary where Jesus has entered on our behalf. Jesus is a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews Chapter 7: This Melchizedek was king of Salem (Jerusalem) and priest of the God Most High. He met and blessed Abraham and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. His name means “king of righteousness” and king of Salem means “king of peace”. He remains a priest forever without the proper lineage.
Just think how great he must have been for Abraham to give him a tenth of the plunder! The law requires the descendants of Levi to collect a tenth from the people. Melchizedek was not a Levite. One could deduce that Levi collects the tenth through Abraham because Levi (who is Abraham’s descendant) hadn’t been born yet when Melchizedek collected. Hence we have Levites paying tithes to Melchizedek, making Melchizedek greater than the Levites (or Abraham in this instance since the Levites are through Abraham). Since the lesser is blessed by the greater, Melchizedek is greater than Abraham.
Perfection could not be attained through the Levites so there was need for a priest in the order of Melchizedek (the mere fact that a priest in the order of Melchizedek shows up should be a clue that there is a need for something better than the Levites). If the priests change, then so must the law. The old law was weak and useless for it made nothing perfect and a better hope was introduced by God (Jesus!).
Through an oath Jesus became a priest and the author of a better covenant. Jesus lives forever so his priesthood is forever; therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him.
Jesus meets our needs as holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens with one sacrifice of himself who has been made perfect forever.
16a) “Creator of heaven and earth and who delivered your enemies into Abram’s hands.”
b) Personal Question. My answer: My former and present pastors. My BSF leader who prays and anyone else who prays for me. I will pray and thank God and do my best to live a Godly-life as called in thanks.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 9, Day 5: Genesis 14:17-24
A difficult passage, indeed, with Melchizedek. We spent one whole day on this last go around with BSF’s Study of Genesis, including Psalm 110:
Psalm 110: The Lord told my Lord (David’s Lord who is Jesus) to sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool. God will extend Jesus’s scepter and rule in the midst of enemies. On the day of battle your troops will be arrayed in holy majesty.
The Lord calls Jesus a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. He will crush kings on the day of his wrath, judge the nations, and heap up the dead.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 9, Day 5: Genesis 14:17-24
This Melchizedek appears out of nowhere like a genie in a bottle. He has no history, and Bible scholars know nothing about him. His name means “king of righteousness.”. We are told he was a priest and a king (which Jesus will be). This was highly unusual in the ancient world. In the future, God will forbid this. In 2 Chronicles 26:16-23, King Uzziah tries to do this, and God strikes him with leprosy.
He did worship the One, True God. Many Bible scholars note the bread and wine as symbolic of the Passover and the Lord’s Supper.
Melchizedek blessed Abram and God.
Psalm 110:4 notes that the priesthood of the Messiah is not from Aaron, but from Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:3 describes Melchizedek as without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. This leads Bible Scholars to think he may have been Jesus.
Other Bible Scholars speculate he was Shem, Noah’s son, Job, or an angel. All of this, even the idea of Jesus, is speculation. We’ll find out when we get to heaven.
Abram refuses the plunder because he wants all of the credit of his wealth to go to God. The rest of the kings could divide up the spoils. Abram also uses “God Most High” after our pal, Melchizedek, uses it.