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Melchizedek Blesses Abram

Genesis 14.17-20

Good News Translation (GNT)

17  When Abram came back from his victory over
   Chedorlaomer and the other kings, the king
   of Sodom went out to meet him in Shaveh
   Valley (also called King's Valley).
18  And Melchizedek, who was king of Salem
   and also a priest of the Most High God,
   brought bread and wine to Abram,
19  blessed him, and said, "May the Most High
   God, who made heaven and earth, bless
   Abram!
20  May the Most High God, who gave you victory
   over your enemies, be praised!"
   And Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all
   the loot he had recovered.

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Taken from 'word-on-the-web' supplied by the
Scripture Union

Melchizedek Blesses Abram

   Genesis 14:17-20

Wealth and affluence do not guarantee a trouble-free life.

Lot (Abram's nephew) is now in the middle of a war zone and in the end is captured since he was living near Sodom.

The story of the people of God does not unfold in some privileged space, isolated and protected from the turmoil and conflicts which disfigure the general history of the world.

Abram finds himself caught up in these events as battles swirl around him and place his own family at grave risk.

As a result of a local rebellion, Lot, his family and possessions are kidnapped and carried off to exile, some 140 miles distant (vs 11,12).

Abram's military response is instant and effective, and results in Lot's return (v 16).

Family loyalty is important, even when members of the family are unwise, ungrateful or undeserving. After all, God in his love and mercy reached out to us when we foolishly went our own way.

But there is added significance in this story. Abram meets two regional kings - the unnamed king of Sodom and Melchizedek king of Salem (probably early Jerusalem) on his return from battle (vs 17,18)

However, at the heart of this chaotic chapter we discover one of the most remarkable texts in the whole of Genesis.

Melchizedek, blesses Abram in the name of 'God Most High' and receives from him a substantial gift (vs 18-20).

The enigmatic figure of the priest and king Melchizedek is the mystery man in this chapter. (Genesis 14)

He is referred to in Psalm 110 and Hebrews 7, with the Lord Jesus being likened to him.

Kings and priests came from two different tribes so Melchizedek foreshadows the uniqueness of Jesus in being both priest and king.

But Melchizedek comes praising God for Abram's victory and bearing the gift of bread and wine (vs 18-20).

Later Bible writers will show us that here there is an early hint of Jesus, the priest-king (Hebrews 7:1) who broke bread and shared wine with his friends

Other versions are available here

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