In today’s YouTube video, Rudy Ross explains that Melchizedek is, in his opinion, a picture of Jesus who has appeared to Abraham in the form of a human. The term used for that is “theophany,” which means God appearing to someone in human form.
We meet Melchizedek, who came with the King of Sodom out to meet Abram after the victory during the War of the Kings.
After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh, that is, the King’s Valley.
And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
maker of heaven and earth,
and blessed be God Most High,
who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
And Abram gave him one-tenth of everything (Genesis 14:17-20).
Melchizedek’s offering of bread and wine to Abram is a significant event. Bread and wine are also central to the Passover meal, which commemorates the Exodus from Egypt.
The Passover meal, observed by Jesus and his disciples before his crucifixion, is now commemorated by Christians as communion or the Lord’s Supper.
Abram’s call in Genesis 12 was to be a blessing to all nations. Melchizedek acknowledges this calling by recognizing that God used Abram to bless and deliver people during a war.
One might expect Melchizedek to offer Abram a gift. However, Abram, acting on knowledge we don’t possess, gave Melchizedek a tithe—a tenth of everything he had.
This supports the idea that Melchizedek is a pre-incarnate appearance of God, possibly even Jesus, a view Rudy suggests.
The Blessings Continue
The King of Sodom, overjoyed to have his family and servants returned, offered all the recovered goods to Abram and his men. However, Abram declined, choosing instead to continue his mission of blessing, even to the people of Sodom, who Genesis 13:13 describes as great sinners.
Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.”
But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to God Most High, maker of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, so that you might not say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’
I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten and the share of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their share” (Genesis 14:21-24).
The mission to be a blessing isn’t unique to Abram. It’s a calling that has continued through generations, extending to the Jewish people and Christians today.
Jesus challenges us with these words:
“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you.
If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.
Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again.
Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:27-31).
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 