A Kingdom Not of This World

This week’s name of God is Melek, King. In Genesis 14, we’re introduced to this mysterious king, Melchizedek.

And Melchizedek the king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
And blessed be God Most High,
Who has handed over your enemies to you.” – Genesis 14:18-20

We don’t learn much more about him in the Old Testament, but it turns out he’s a type of Christ.

Types are Old Testament foreshadowings of New Testament fulfillments. James Hamilton’s book, Typology, Understanding the Bible’s Promise-Shaped Patterns, is a great resource. I love his description of types – promise-shaped patterns.

I’m not sure what promise a shape has, but here’s my attempt to illustrate the prom.

Melchizedek, from melek tzedek, means King of Righteousness. We’re told the King of Righteousness is the King of Salem. Salem refers to both peace and Jerusalem. And we know he’s the priest of God Most High. He’s the only priest-king in the Old Testament. Levitical priests couldn’t rule, and kings couldn’t perform the duties of priests. King Uzziah tried, and it didn’t work out well.

Yet we discover that Jesus, the King of Kings, is a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Psalm 110:4 and Hebrews 5:6,10

And what of his kingdom? Daniel gives us a sneak peek:

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever. – Daniel 2:44

I can’t wait!