Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Genesis 14:18-20
Three verses. The account of Abram's meeting with Melchizedek king of Salem is told in only three verses. Yet this man, Melchizedek, is one of the few men - if not the only man - to whom Jesus is compared. The writer of Hebrews call Jesus a high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was no ordinary man. He was a king, and he was a priest. But even more importantly, he was used by God to bless Abram, the man selected to be father to God's chosen people.
When I read this story of Abram's meeting with Melchizedek, my first question is: What is so significant about this meeting? Abram was returning from a battle to save the life of his nephew Lot. He brought home the people and belongings taken from Sodom. Bera, king of Sodom, had come out to meet Abram when Melchizedek brought out bread and wine. What is so significant?
Consider the circumstances. The whole scene is frocked with turmoil. These kings had been subject to that king, so these kings rebelled. Then that king got his friends together to take all the people and possessions away from these kings. What a mess!
All Abram wanted was his nephew Lot. He had been up all night chasing Kedorlaomer, and I expect that Abram was exhausted, physically and emotionally. It seems that Melchizedek's entrance came at just the right moment to encourage Abram and remind him to not get caught up in the games kings play. Thankfully, Abram seemed to get the message. He gave ten percent of everything to Melchizedek and kept nothing for himself.
Lord, do I take the time to recognize Your servants who come at opportune moments - to remind me not to get caught up in the games people play? Thank You for pushing through the turmoil to bless me. Help me to respond as Abram did - with return blessing and praise.
Father, may You be blessed today!