Sermon Notes 7/24/2011

Sermon Text: Genesis 14:1-24

Sermon Title: Who is Melchizedek?

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 7:1-28

Melchizedek is one of the most instructive figures in the whole Bible to help us put our Bibles together and see clearly who Jesus is.

Follow the trajectory: Genesis 14 à Psalm 110 à Mark 12 à Hebrews 7

Genesis 14:1-16 – The first mention of war in the Bible

• Genesis 14:1-3 is the first time Chedorlaomer (Kador-la-omeir) defeats the King of Sodom.
• Genesis 14:4 shows that 12 years pass.
• Genesis 14:5-7 records Kador-la-omeir’s second victory (although 14 years removed from the first).
• Genesis 14:8-11 records Kador-la-omeir’s third victory as he comes face to face with the rebel King of Sodom (five rebel armies lose to the four).
• Genesis 14:12 records the involvement of Lot, which explains Abram’s involvement.
• Genesis 14:13-16 records Abram’s victory and rescue of Lot (318 soldiers against four Kings and their soldiers who had just won 2 consecutive victories). Abram just defeated a very accomplished King.

This brings us to our text for today: Genesis 14:17-24

These kings are more like small town mayors. Armies are really like small raiding parties (a few hundred soldiers). It comes down to four kings vs. five kings. The four kings win (Chedorlaomer).

We now see Abram, the King of Sodom, and Melchizedek meeting together in the valley. These are not separate episodes. They meet simultaneously. Abram did nothing for Melchizedek. Abram did everything for Sodom. Sodom is not being generous; he is actually being rude. Think about how dramatically Abram’s actions served to benefit the King of Sodom.

Abram is offered bread and wine by Melchizedek, but is offered nothing by Sodom.

Genesis 14:18 interrupts the narrative (you would expect v. 17 to continue into v. 21).

Melchizedek means “King of Righteousness.” “Melech” means King and “Zedek” means Righteousness. He is the King of Salem. Salem and Shalom sound very similar in Hebrew = well-being with God (peace). There is a very good chance that Melchizedek was King of (peace) or Jerusalem. “In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel. His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion” (Psalm 76:1-2).

We know that Melchizedek is greater than Abram (Hebrews 7:7) due to the blessing and the tithe.

Anybody who is someone in Genesis is connected to somebody genealogically.

Who is this guy and what in the world is he doing in the story?

Why is he interrupting the account?

Psalm 110:1-7

Not only is Melchizedek greater than Abram, he is greater than David.

Psalm 110 is the chapter of the Old Testament that is most often quoted in the New Testament. He only shows up two times in the Old Testament (Genesis 14; Psalm 110) and one time in the New Testament (Hebrews 7).

Who wrote Psalm 110? Not one manuscript leaves the superscription “of David” out (Don Carson). The superscription is counted as part of the Psalm. One of Christ’s (Mark 12:35-37) arguments hinges upon David’s authorship of Psalm 110. “And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, ‘How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?’ David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put enemies under your feet.’ David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son? The great throng heard him gladly” (Mark 12:35-37).

To whom does “My Lord” refer to? The answer is Jesus. This psalm (110) is written about 1000 years before Christ by David. Didn’t David just take the throne from a man removed by God by attempting to hold the dual office of priest king?

Two Explanations in Church History of “Who is Melchizedek?”:

1. Pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus (it is very possible – but probably not).
2. Psalm 110 and Hebrews 7 show that Jesus is a priest after “the order” of Melchizedek. Also, Hebrews 7:3 – he is like or resembling the Son of God. Why doesn't the text just say, “Jesus was Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 7:1-28

Hebrews 7:3 contrasted with what we know about Genesis (everything flows from genealogy) – plus, he is greater than Abram (Hebrews 7:4) – gives great weight to the silence in the text regarding this man of mystery.

Do not disregard that Melchizedek superceded the Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 7:8-9).

Hebrews 7:11 – You are stating that the Levitical priesthood is to be eclipsed because it does not cut it – it is not enough. So David, in writing Psalm 110, sees that the Levitical priesthood is not enough. Better yet, God established the priesthood of Melchizedek long before the priesthood of Aaron.

Hebrews 7:12 – The Levitical priesthood established the Law. If you take the priesthood away, the Law goes away too. The Levitical priesthood was instituted together with the Mosaic Law that provided for it. The Law and the priesthood depend on one another. A new priesthood establishes a new law.

The Point: The law covenant is announced as obsolete before it is ever established (Genesis 14).

Main Idea:

Hebrews 7:19, 25 – You would draw near to God in the Old Covenant through the Law - and could not - so you would follow through to the priest. In the New Covenant you draw near to God through the Priest - and can - so you follow through in obedience to the law.

You have a priest/King show up before the Law that stated there cannot be a priest/King, and you have a man (David) who took the office due to the violation of this rule who looks forward to a future priest/King – his son-superior – this shows that the Law is to be temporary.

We have a Savior who is not only a King/ruler – if He is just a King, we live in terror and subjection only. However, if He is also the priest, we are able to draw near. I need a King to subdue me. I need a priest to sacrifice for me or I am undone. I need a King to rule over me. I need a priest so that I may obey.


Notes: I was greatly aided in my sermon preparation by Don Carson’s message “Getting Excited by Melchizedek” given at the 2011 Together For the Gospel Conference – Preaching Christ in the Old Testament.