Genesis 14 - Communion, a Victory Celebration.
"And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God." (Gen 14:18 KJV)
We see here a great deliverance by Abraham, and a "stranger" appears on the scene, seemingly out of nowhere. Melchizedek, the king of Salem, (v.18), and the "King of righteousness" (as his name means), appears as an "angel unawares" (Heb. 13:2). There is a communion observed for the victors in war, and a tithe is paid to Melchizedek, by Abraham.(v.20). Communion is not only representative of harmony in spirit, but here it is a victory dinner! Communion is a victory for the church today too, or the celebration of a victory, by Christ, over sin and death! Our "Melchizedek" obtained the victory for us, and we "do this in remembrance" of Him.
We don't have much information here about Melchizedek, but "Salem" means peace, and we see Him as the King of Righteousness, and the Prince of peace! Many believe this was the Lord Jesus Himself in an Old Testament, bodily appearance, and without beginning of days, or end of life. (Heb. 7) This is first time the title "Most High God" is used in the Bible, and we see it at the introduction of Melchizedek. It is not quite clear who honored whom in the victory-communion, but it was a time of rejoicing and fellowship unmatched in the Bible. No doubt Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek, showing position, and that tithing, and communion both preceded the law, setting a precedent for future generations.
