2/10 Genesis 14

Genesis 14 Communion, a Victory Celebration.

(Gen 14:18 KJV) And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

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.

Who is the “Melchizedek” of your life? To whom would you pay homage? This mysterious stranger was received well, as if Abraham knew who He was, and yet we have little insight into His history. Abraham had a close walk with God, and therefore may have recognized things that many others didn’t. It can be said of us too, that we have “eyes of faith” and see that which seems invisible to others; all we must do is walk with the Lord every day.