Melchizedek
Continuing our series on Hebrews we take a Melchizedek.
This mysterious character is introduced as the King of righteousness and the King of peace (Hebrews 7:2). We have no records of his birth and he bears an unwitting resemblance to the Son of God (Hebrews 7:3).
The Levitical priesthood law, despite its merits, is insufficient to describe the Priesthood of Jesus. A new figure has to be introduced to explain the role of Jesus.
The genealogy of Melchizedek has been deliberately omitted by scripture in order to give us a shadow of the eternal ministry of Jesus (Hebrews 7:11-19).
Melchizedek, among other things, depicts a picture of the intercessory ministry of Jesus. He meets Abraham on his return from victory over the heathen kings (Hebrews 7:1, 10).
However, the narrative in Genesis 14 portrays the King of Sodom meeting Abraham (Genesis 14:17), yet the King of Salem, Melchizedek, is the one who offers him the bread and wine (Genesis 14:18).
Lets put it like this - The King of Sodom, a heathen King, was on the way to meet Abraham after his victory in battle, but Melchizedek intercepts him, and offers to Abraham the bread and the wine (Genesis 14:17-18).
This is the ministry of intercession. It brings God?s will into our circumstances averting the intentions of the enemy.
If Abraham?s first conversation had been with the King of Sodom things would have turned out differently.
Intercession is finding the will of God and praying it into being.
Next we witness Melchizedek blessing Abraham (Hebrews 7:1) and receiving from him (Hebrews 7:2).
Intercession enables people to meet God, receive grace from Him and consequently obtain the ability to give glory to God in areas of godly living and obedience in service.
Finally, Jesus is always interceding on our behalf, intercepting the plans of the enemy and obstructing his devices (Hebrews 7:25).
As we learn to intercede in prayer we will witness similar results - seeing God?s will and purpose fulfilled in our lives.
Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 (NASB)