DEFINITION OF TERMS

MELCHIZEDEK
MELCHIZEDEK
PRIEST
PRIESTS AND LEVITES
I. The biblical data
II. Wellhausen’s reconstruction
III. Some reactions to Wellhausen’s reconstruction
IV. Priesthood in the New Testament

Melchizedek reigned, as king/priest, in (Jeru)Salem

during the time of Abraham, 4,000+ years ago.

Abraham was born in Ur, in modern day Iraq, which many regard as being the oldest city in the world. More like a settlement in modern terms. Basically though, the family were nomads. Eventually, Abraham travelled to Canaan, at the Lord’s command.

He lived there for approximately 100 years.

Salem was in Canaan.

While living there, his nephew Lot was captured by some local raiders. Abraham took his 318 trained fighting men and recaptured Lot and his family.

It was at this point that he met with Melchizedek.

The identity of Melchizedek is shrouded in mystery. Was he human? Was he divine?

There are arguments both ways, none of which we are going to get involved in here.

Jewish tradition identifies him as Shem, the son of Noah, who could possibly still have been living at the time. However, this verse in Hebrews would appear to contradict this tradition.

The group including the Kings of Sodom (where Lot, Abraham’s nephew, and his family were living) and Gomorrah, were defeated and the family captured, along with others, and all their possessions.

Abraham set out on a rescue mission. By employing clever tactics Abraham and his 318 men rescued all those who had been captured.

A very grateful King of Sodom came out to meet Abraham at the Valley of Shaveh, which is just north of Jerusalem.

At that time, Melchizedek came out from (Jeru)Salem and blessed Abraham with bread and wine, so establishing what was to become the ongoing symbol of priesthood.

In return for the blessing Abraham gave a tithe of 10% of his own possessions that he had recovered during the battle and those of the others that he had also recaptured.

The remaining possessions belonging to others were returned, in spite of protestations. For Abraham did not want his future to be associated with theirs. Which was really good sense, as it turned out later, in the case of the King of Sodom!

Melchizedek had a dual role in life, being that of a ‘king’ combined with that of a ‘priest’.

We don’t know what the sacrificial role of Melchizedek was. If we did, it would resolve once and for all the argument over whether he was God or man. However God, in His wisdom, has not chosen to reveal that to us.

Melchizedek blessed Abraham with a literal meal including bread and wine, for he and his men were hungry after the battle they had been in, giving thanks to God for their victory.

As we will see as we continue this study, bread and wine are symbols of the priesthood and therefore, in a spiritual sense, can only be dispensed by priests.

But who are the priests?

We continue and conclude our look at the priesthood of Melchizedec.

The priesthood of Melchizedec is shrouded in mystery, yet from what is written, we can get what God wants us to know.

For this priesthood forms part of a progression which we are part of today.

Let's keep reading!

BIBLE ARCHAEOLOGY

Qumran Jar (Dead Sea Scrolls)

This painting is of the Qumran Jar which contained the Scroll of Isaiah, one of the hundreds of scrolls discovered in caves around the area of Qumran, on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea in Israel. The most important fact is that there were copies of the Books of the Bible dating back a hundred years before Jesus was born. This means that hundreds of prophecies about Jesus were amazingly accurate. In fact the Old Testament Book that testifies most to the life and death of the Messiah is the Book of Isaiah, which an entire scroll was discovered.

The discovery began in 1948 and became known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. What is most significant about these scrolls is that they contain many of the Jewish documents known to Christians as the Old Testament. Before this discovery the oldest copies of Biblical documents of the Old Testament were from the Masoretic time, around the 9th century A.D., because the Jewish scribes took careful measures in copying documents, numbering them, and destroying the originals. The Dead Sea Scrolls date back to at least the 2nd century B.C. making them important in the study of Biblical Archaeology. This is especially important to Christians because it puts hundreds of Old Testament prophecies about Jesus, at least 2 centuries before the events took place.

Isaiah 53:5-7 "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."

Matthew 21:42 - "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? "

John 10:35 "the Scripture cannot be broken"

John 10:34 "Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law.."

2 Tim 3:16-17 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."


Dead Sea Scrolls Discovery Dates

Cave 1 - 1947
Cave 2 - 1952
Cave 3 - 1952
Cave 4 - 1952
Cave 5 - 1952
Cave 6 - 1952
Cave 7 - 1956
Cave 8 - 1956
Cave 9 - 1956
Cave 10 - 1956
Cave 11 - 1956