DVP011 Genesis 14:18-20 (January 11)


18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)
19 And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 
20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.


Melchizedek is a seemingly random character in this narrative. He appears out of nowhere with no background yet he is a priest and a king (of Salem/Jeru-salem which is later the capitol of Israel), and he is someone who even Abram honours greatly. Much later in the bible, one of the writers looks back and identifies Melchizedek as an image of Christ hinted at from way back. Jesus shared many characteristics with Melchizedek which you can read about in Hebrews chapter 7.

Abram gives one tenth of everything to Melchizedek. This is what's called a tithe, and is what many today base their giving in church upon. This tithe is unique because it honours Melchizedek before God's people existed as a nation and before he even commanded his people to tithe to support the priestly functions.


The English Standard Version (ESV)

“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
www.esv.org