Introduction
First mention of a personage or term in the Scriptures almost always has key significance. In Genesis 14, we are introduced to two personages: Melchizedek and the Most High God. In the 14th chapter of Genesis is the record of Abram’s (Abraham) defeat of the kings. The passage reads:
17 Then 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). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He gave him a tenth of all. 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself.” 22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing except 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.”
The goal of this study is to examine these personages and their significance in light of the Scriptures.
Names of God
The Bible reveals many names and titles for God. Some of the more familiar ones include: YHVH, i.e., Jehovah, יְהֹוָה: LORD, (Genesis 2.4), Elohim, אֱלֹהִים: God, (Genesis 1.1), Adonay, אֲדֹנָי: Lord, (Psalm 110.5), El Shaddai, אֵל שַׁדַּי: God Almighty, (Genesis 17.1).
One of the most interesting names of God is El Elyon, עֶלְיוֹן or אֵל עֶלְיוֹן, Most High God, translated in the LXX as ὕψιστος “highest,” “most high” (cf. Luke 1.32, 35, 76). Another word for “most high” is עִלַּי. It is Aramaic and found only in the book of Daniel. It is synonymous with עֶלְיוֹן. All its uses refer to God’s supremacy over the nations of the earth. Both the Hebrew and Aramaic versions of עֶלְיוֹן are spelled the same: עֶלְיוֹן and עֶלְיוֹן. Interestingly, both words for “most high” עֶלְיוֹן and עִלַּי are found in Daniel 7.25. It is this name the Antichrist will attack.
The name “Most High” occurs 42 times in the Scriptures. The distribution is the following:
| Book Name | Scripture Reference | Frequency |
| Genesis | Genesis 14.18, 19, 20, 22 | 4x |
| Numbers | Numbers 24.16 | 1x |
| Deuteronomy | Deuteronomy 32.8 | 1x |
| 2 Samuel | 2 Samuel 22.14 | 1x |
| Psalms | Psalm 7.17, 9.2, 18.13, 21.7, 46.4, 47.2, 50.14, 57.2, 73.11, 77.10, 78.17, 35, 56, 82.6, 83.18, 87.5, 89.27, 91.1, 9, 97.9, 107.11 | 22x |
| Isaiah | Isaiah 14.14 | 1x |
| Lamentations | Lamentations 3.35, 38 | 2x |
| Daniel | Daniel 3.26, 4.2, 17, 24, 25, 32, 34, 5.18, 21, 7.25 | 10x |
The primary meaning of “Most High God” is revealed in the passage in which He is first mentioned, Genesis 14.18-22. The “Most High” is “possessor of heaven and earth” (Genesis 14.19, 22). From the above passages we find that His identity is also associated with the “nations” (Deuteronomy 32.8; Psalm 47.2, 89.27, 97.9), He is the God who “thunders” from heaven (2 Samuel 22.14; Psalm 18.13), and the God of Israel. Of all the titles of God, this is the one to which Satan aspired (Isaiah 14.14). This should not surprise us. Satan is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4.4) and currently rules the kingdoms of the earth (Matthew 4.8-9). His rule will reach its apex during the time of the Tribulation (Revelation 13). After his defeat, the Lord Jesus Christ will receive this rule (Psalm 2.7-9).1
The Most High is LORD
The Most High is identified also as the LORD, יְהֹוָה. We determine this on the basis of the Psalms, in which LORD and Most High are found in parallel. In Psalms 7.17, 47.2, 97.9 we also find the name combined: LORD Most High, יְהוָה עֶלְיוֹן.
| Most High=LORD, YHVH, יְהֹוָה | Text |
| The LORD thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice. | 2 Samuel 22.14 |
| I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. | Psalm 7.17 |
| The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered His voice, hailstones and coals of fire. | Psalm 18.13 |
| For the king trusts in the LORD, and through the lovingkindness of the Most High he will not be shaken. | Psalm 21.7 |
| For the LORD Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth. | Psalm 47.2 |
| That they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth. | Psalm 83.18 |
| For you have made the LORD, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place. | Psalm 91.9 |
| For You are the LORD Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. | Psalm 97.9 |
Jesus is LORD
We know from the New Testament that Jesus of Nazareth was the LORD, YHVH, of the Old Testament. Jesus poignantly declared this fact in His encounter with the Jews in John 8:
52 The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death.’ 53 Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; 55 and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”
This passage stuns. It shows the intensity of the opposition of the ruling Jews to Jesus and Jesus’ pointed responses to them. On this particular day, the Jewish leadership clearly got His blood up. Jesus finally declared to them was that He was YHVH (Jehovah): the LORD (יְהֹוָה). He told them He was the God of Abraham from whom the Jews had their existence. Moses had encountered God as LORD (Exodus 3.2) while he tended sheep in the desert. In this meeting, Moses saw a bush burning that did not burn. He approached it and God instructed Moses that He would deliver Israel out of bondage and that Moses would be His spokesman and instrument. Moses responded:
13 Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3.13-14).
God told Moses to tell the Jews that “I am” had sent him. Jesus told the Jews of His day: “before Abraham was I am.” They clearly understood Jesus was claiming He was the eternal LORD, the “I am” of Moses. We know they understood because of their action: they picked up stones to kill Him (John 8.59).
The Most High is the Firstborn
Psalm 89.27 provides further insight into the identity of the Most High. Here, we find the parallelism is the “firstborn” בְּכוֹר. The Jews recognized that the “firstborn” in Psalm 89 was a Messianic title. Paul, in concert with the Old Testament scriptures, declared in his letter to the Romans and to the Colossians that “firstborn” πρωτότοκος was God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8.29; Colossians 1.15, 18). The writer of Hebrews also made this declaration (Hebrews 12.23).2 “Firstborn,” is a title of preeminence and the Lord Jesus Christ will inherit the nations and become “possessor of heaven and earth” (cf. Psalm 2.7-8).
Melchizedek
Melchizedek is a mysterious and shadowy figure in Scripture. The name Melchizedek (מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק) means “king of righteousness” and is formed by a combination of the Hebrew words מֶלֶךְ (king) and צַדִּיק (righteous). In his meeting with Abraham, Melchizedek was declared to be “king of Salem.” This is the Hebrew word שָׁלֵם is related to שָׁלוֹם “shalom,” i.e., “peace,” “health,” and in modern times, “hello,” “goodbye” but chiefly, as here, “peace” and is also “Jerusalem” יְרוּשָׁלַם, “the place of peace.” Melchizedek was king of Jerusalem before Jerusalem existed. In the Jewish, Aaronic priesthood, priest and king were separate offices. No king was a priest. But Melchizedek was not of the Aaronic priesthood and combined the offices of king and priest. The fact that he brought forth “bread and wine” foreshadowed the elements the Lord used for His body and blood which speak to us of His work on the cross for us.
Hebrews 7.1-3 described him further:
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually.
From the description above we may summarize the following about Melchizedek. מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק is:
| King of righteousness | King of peace | |
| Without father | Without mother | Without genealogy |
| Without beginning of days | Without end of life | |
| Like the Son of God | A priest continually |
Such a description is only accommodated by a singular individual: the Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son. He is the King of righteousness and peace. These will be the hallmarks of His kingdom described in the Scriptures. He alone has no beginning and no end. No created being fits these criteria. As the God-Man He paid for our sins and His finished work has eternal merit. For this reason, He alone is a perpetual priest (mediator, go-between).
Melchizedek’s Timeline
Abraham lived about 2,000 B.C. The next time we encounter Melchizedek in the scriptures is around 1,000 B.C., in Psalm 110.4, written by David. The next time he appears is 1,000 years later in Hebrews (Hebrews 5.6, 10, 6.20, 7.1, 10, 11, 15, 17). Thus, the mysterious Melchizedek appears in Scripture at 1,000-year intervals. The appearances of Melchizedek in the Scriptures have a chiastic structure:
| Timeline | Time Period and Context | Scripture | |
| A | ~2,000 B.C. | Abraham | Genesis 14.18 |
| B | ~1,000 B.C. | David | Psalm 110.4 |
| C | ~0 | Book of Hebrews (New time: B.C: A.D.) | Hebrews 5.6, 10, 6.20, 7.1, 10, 11, 15, 17 |
| A’ | ~2,000 A.D. | Messianic Kingdom (projected beginning)3 | |
| B’ | 1,000 (~3,000 A.D.) | Messianic Kingdom (ends after 1,000 years) | |
| C’ | 0 | Beginning of Eternity (End of Time) |
When Christ returns, He will set up His long-promised kingdom upon the earth. The prophets foretold this kingdom (Zechariah 14.9) in which the Messiah would be the King over Israel as well as King over all the earth. Most Christians pray the Lord’s Prayer, which Jesus instructed His disciples to pray, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6.10). The Kingdom of God revealed in the Old Testament scriptures and in the gospels is located on earth, not in heaven. No Jew ever had a hope of heaven as his dwelling or destination. When God establishes this kingdom He will fulfill His covenants to Israel and His promise to the Messiah to rule Israel and the nations (Psalm 2.6-8). He will be Melchizedek, King of Salem and King of righteousness, ruling from Jerusalem.
Conclusion
The Most High and Melchizedek are one person: the Lord Jesus Christ. Melchizedek met Abraham as the priest of the Most High God. Melchizedek was God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Most High of whom Melchizedek was a priest was God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything in the Scriptures points to Him. This was the object lesson God gave to the Jews in the design Tabernacle. Every design and every implement spoke of and pointed to Christ and His redemptive work.
1 When the Lord returns, He will occupy David’s throne on earth (Luke 1.32-33; Matthew 6.10). At the present time, Jesus is not enthroned on His own throne but seated in heaven at the right of His Father’s throne (Psalm 110.1-2; Matthew 25.31, 26.64). Melchizedek is also mentioned in this Psalm (Psalm 110.4) and demonstrates the Lord Jesus occupies the office of king and priest. Psalm 110 is consonant with Psalm 2 in its revelation of the Lord’s defeat of His enemies.
2 Pauline authorship of Hebrews has fallen out of favor among professional theologians. But far greater evidence exists for Paul’s authorship than anyone else. Much external and internal evidence indicates Paul authored the book. See the article “Who Wrote Hebrews?” for a study of this subject.
3 These figures are rough. We are near the Lord’s return. How near no one can say. But we are close. Hosea the prophet proclaimed, “Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. 2 “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, that we may live before Him (Hosea 6.1-2). Peter declared that 1,000 years is a day for the Lord (2 Peter 3.8). The Messiah was crucified 2,000 years ago. The Scriptures reveal the Church, the body of Christ, began with the Apostle Paul about 37 A.D. (Acts 9.1-22; 1 Corinthians 3.10-11; 1 Timothy 1.12-17). Israel has been set aside for 2,000 years (Romans 11.25-27). Hosea proclaimed God would revive them after two days (2,000 years). That revival will occur when the nation repents and will trigger the Lord’s return to set up His kingdom on earth (Matthew 23.37-39). After God has revived the nation, He will, according to Hosea, “raise us up on the third day.” The raising up of the Jewish nation is the promise of the kingdom and the fulfillment of God’s promises in Exodus 19.4-6, Deuteronomy 28.1-14, and Jeremiah 31.27-34). The “third day” lasts 1,000 years which John declared in Revelation 20.4-7. See the author’s study, “When Will the Lord Return?“
©2013 Don Samdahl. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold.
Thank you for this it’s really useful for the study I am doing at the moment
Thank you!
He gave them a tenth of all…. Is that where we get our teaching about giving a tenth in offerings today?
Theresa,
This proabably laid the baisis for what became tithing under the Mosaic Law. The tithe was a requirement of the Law in which the Israelites were to give 10 percent of the crops they grew and the livestock they raised to the tabernacle/temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). The Law required multiple tithes—one for the Levites, one for the use of the temple and the feasts, and one for the poor of the land—which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent. Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system. We are not instructed to tithe but to give freely (2 Corinthians 9.6-7).
Hi Don,
I love this article; it’s one of your finest. Of course Paul wrote “Hebrews”, everyone should know that. Both Drs. J. Vernon McGee and Harry Ironside, my teachers, said the same. Dr. Ironside substantiated in his commentary the same, almost identical, Greek language expressions Paul used in Romans and Hebrews. This beautiful epistle has to be penned by the great apostle to the gentiles, no questions on my part. Who else can do it?
Thank you for your article. God bless.
Kim,
Thanks as always for your encouragement.
Doctrine, thank you for all your articles and your fine teaching, i’m not sure fine is the correct definition of your teaching but we sure have enjoyed reading your articles. I came across your website a few weeks back and have been reading it a lot. My wife and I were saved 37 years ago in a Pentecostal church. A year ago we started listening to Pastor Randy White, a dispensational theologian from KatyTexas and our lives have not been the same. The old saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is not quite true. Thanks again Larry
Larry,
Thank you. Grace and peace to you both.
Don,
Our church has a men’s group bible study on Wednesday. In the pastor’s study guide he has made this statement:”Melchizedek: Who was he and why is he important? (Heb. 7:1-10) NB: The author of Hebrews sets Melchizedek as a “type” of Christ – by not mentioning his ancestors or recording his death (even though Melchizedek was just a human being who later died) – he points to truth about Jesus – his eternality. ”
I don’t know what the NB stands for, but I assume he’s quoting from somewhere else.
My question is how should I respond to this seeming contradiction of what you just wrote?
Randy,
Normally this is a Bible version but I don’t know what NB stands for. One could argue the genealogical point but I think it is hard to overcome “without beginning of days or end of life” to refer to a mere mortal.
“NB” – “Nota Bene”, in other words, “take notice of this.”
I don’t know why I know that. Wish I could remember important things instead of this useless tidbit.
GraceReceiver,
I know what N.B. means but it just blew past me. Thank you.
Mind blowing to know that my Lord Jesus Christ had been traveling through time.Appearing in every generation,only GOD could do that.If only cameras were available then,it would not have been an issues matching the faces.Then the whole world would know that it was Him then,it’s been Him all along,and it will definitely be HIM again!
doctrine,
Incredible article. Is quite mind blowing to get a peek at who He is. Definitely one of my favorites. I thought Jesus the Son was Melchizadek. Just awesome.
Thank you!
doctrine,
Touching on the word ‘Selah’, what is your opinion on the word? Is it used of end time events. Many scriptures that use it also have end time implications, or I think so.
Thanks for sharing and answering our fountains of questions. May the Lord bless you for it!
Bobbi,
Have not studied this. So many subjects, so little time!
Bobbi,
Found this from Bullinger’s How to Enjoy the Bible. Have not studied but may be helpful to you.
3. “Selah.”
—The first occurrence of this word furnishes us with the key to its meaning. All explanations of it which have been given, and have been derived from sources outside the Word of God, are worthless. They are only what men have thought; and have never risen above musical notation. No meaning has hitherto been suggested that is worthy of the dignity of the Inspired Word; or that is connected with the truth, teaching, or subject-matter of the Scriptures.
Some have said that it always marks the end of a Strophe; others that it marks the beginning. Both are wrong, being only a part of the truth; and, as is so often the case in other departments of Bible study, when a part is put for the whole the result is error instead of truth. The word Selah may be derived from one of two roots: either from hlafsaf (salah), to pause, and, though this may well apply to the pausing of the heart and mind to dwell on the words of God, yet man seems unable to rise above the thought of the musical instruments pausing, while the voices go on. On the other hand, some derive it from llasaf (salal), to lift up; but they limit this to lifting up the voices in song, and do not rise to the lifting up the voices in song, and do not rise to the lifting up of the heart.
The word Selah occurs seventy-four times in the Old Testament: seventy-one times in the Book of Psalms and three times in the Prophecy of Habakkuk. Of these it occurs several times in the middle of a verse; which is a proof that it need neither commence nor end a Paragraph or Strophe. The key will be furnished by its first occurrence, in Psalm 3, where it occurs three times—
Between verses 2 and 3.
Between verses 4 and 5.
Between Psalms 3 and 4.
Here, it will be seen that the word is used as a connecting link, calling our attention to what has been said, and bidding us to associate it with what immediately follows. This may be for various purposes:
It may be by way of contrast.
It may be by way of further explanation.
It may be to mark a cause, or an effect; or,
It may be at the end of a Psalm, in which case it connects the two Psalms and tells us that they relate to the same authorship, or have the same subject-matter.
In this first occurrence (Psa 3) we have three of these usages. The first Selah (between verses 2 and 3) contrasts what the many said of David:
“There is no help for him in God,”
with what David could say to the LORD:
“But Thou, O Jehovah, art a shield for me.”
Here the “many” are thus put into contrast with the one; and, while the many knew the Divine being only as “God” (the creator),* David knew Him as “Jehovah,” his Covenant God, the God to Whom he stood in a covenant relation.**
* The first occurrence of the word “God,” in Genesis 1:1, shows that this is the essence of its meaning.
** This is shown by the first occurrence of Jehovah, in Genesis 2:4, at the commencement of the section (or Toledoth), “the generations of the heavens and the earth,” when God (as Jehovah Elohim) comes into Covenant relation with Adam, whom He had created.
The second Selah (between verses 4 and 5) marks and connects the cause and effect. It is a practical exhibition of the truth afterwards revealed in Philippians 4:6, 7.
“Let your requests be made known unto God,
And
God’s peace…shall keep your heart and mind.”
This is what David experienced, practically, in that terrible night, in his flight from Jerusalem:
“I cried unto God with my voice,
And He heard me out of His holy hill.
Selah
I laid me down and slept; I awaked:
For Jehovah sustained me.”
The third Selah (between the two Psalms 3 and 4) connects not merely the two verses (Psa 3:8 and 4:1), but the two Psalms, as such. It tells us that Psalm 4 relates to the same time, and to the same circumstances in David’s life: and gives us further details as to what the cry and the prayer was that is referred to in Psalm 3.
Having thus got the key to the usage of the word Selah, which is of far greater importance than its Etymology or Lexical meaning, we can apply it to all its other occurrences. It is, in fact, another example of our third Canon (page 227), where the Biblical usage of words is considered as being essential to their correct interpretation.
Don,
It’s interesting also that Melchizedek is written of in Genesis 14:18, 19
This is also first mention.
It also speaks to the”heavenly places” if you look at it.
Vs. 19. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth.
Vs. 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies in they hand….. ( Also promised by the Father to the Son in Psalms)
He was king and priest. The thing is Christ is seated at the right hand of the majesty on high right now…Ps. 110:1, Ephesians. 1:20. Heb. 1:3,13, 8:1, 10:12, 1 Pet. 3:22…a
With Christ Jesus glorified body, He will be ruling not only the earth but the heavenly places as well. His enemies are not only on earth but in the heavens as well. Job 4:18, 15:15.
Psalm 2, 82, and 110 all speak of defeating his enemies in earth and in heaven.
I believe in the revelation of the mystery this is part of the revelation.
Thus Paul writes 1 Cor. 2:6-8, 1 Cor. 4:9, 15:25-27, and Ephesians. 1:3, 20, 2:6, 3:9-11.
Melchizdek was not Jesus Christ. He was a man. Not God. Another error on this weak teachers record.
Mona,
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually (Hebrews 7.2-3).
1. King of Righteousness
2. King of Peace
3. No father
4. No mother
5. No genealogy
6. No beginning
7. No end
8. Appearing as the Son of God
9. An eternal priest
This sounds like a man?
Brother Don,
I suppose there’s no harm in thinking of Melchizedek as Christ, but it doesn’t seem that Paul though him as such, and it is strange that we don’t now speak of this as his first advent. It is easier for me to interpret Paul’s speech as figurative, as when he referred to himself as father and mother in a non-literal fashion. Explaining the lack of pedigree of father and mother and unknown genealogy and unrecorded beginning and end, Paul nicely points out the contrast between Melchizedek and Jewish priests, the points that make his priesthood similar to the Son of God.
I learned quite a bit from the treatment here, especially the comparisons with other ancient texts:
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/clarke/hebrews/7.htm
Regards,
Neal
Neal,
One should always accept the Scriptures as literal unless there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Why not Christ as Melchizedek? Why is it easier to see him not as Christ? There are several appearances of Christ in the OT. Why take without father and mother as not literal?
I am certainly not a biblical scholar, so I have to weigh what I see like everyone else. I have learned a lot from your writings and agree with many of your conclusions, but on the other hand there are a few where I arrive at a different interpretation. As a student, I am not in the position of having to “make the call”, decide one way and then fit everything to support my conclusion. I am also by nature wary of any position that is firmly held when I cannot see the support for it, and I am careful myself about making firm statements (John 9:41). An over-application of literalness or figurative interpretation without regard to context can easily lead to wrong conclusions and even dogma. I see Paul using his freedom in writing in both styles. I can’t imagine the outcome of taking him literally at every possible point.
As to Melchizedek, I don’t see the need to make him Christ, nor the scriptural support, so I can’t personally see him that way. It is an interesting concept and one I will need to ponder, but if I sat down in a study and made that emphatic claim, I should expect some raised eyebrows. It is only “obvious” to very few. My reasoning on the matter is taken from my own interpretation, enlightened by commentators such as that cited above, and your writings.
Regards and thanks,
Neal
Neal,
Thank you. I do not know if you’ve read my article, Hermeneutics, but it may be useful. It seems easier to see Melchizedek, “King of Righteousness” and “in the form of the Son of God” as Christ rather than a mere man. I do not understand why you write Paul did not think Christ was Melchizedek. Most of those who identify themselves as “covenant” theologians interpret future events or anything that indicates a future for national Israel as “figurative.” Such an approach compromises the consistency and rigor of interpretation.
I can’t see how Christ is Melchizedek. However, it now does mean he is our High Priest after the order of the Most High God. I feel Melchizedek was an actual person who lived during the time of Abraham and that person called to represent Christ in that order of the Most High God was Shem. They only named that order after Melchizedek, Prince of Salem, because he was such a man of renoun a King of peace and of Righteousness and to avoid the constant usage of the name of God. Christ is Lord of the Most High but is not God of the Most High because Christ is only acting under that authority given him called Melchizedek – the power of God the Most High. Jesus is considered a priest in the order of Melchizedek because, like Melchizedek, Jesus was not a descendant of Aaron, and thus would not qualify for the Jewish priesthood under the Law of Moses. That power of Melchizedek is the authority of a Priest and King to exercise righteousness in the name of the Most High God. Christ could not be the Most High God because authority was given to him from above. Christ would not have said who he worshipped when said, John 20:17 – Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Clay,
No mere human meets to qualifications of Hebrews 7.3. Abraham met the pre-incarnate Christ in His role as Melchizedek, and this was fitting for Melchizedek is the priest for both God’s program with the Israel and with the Church, the earthly and heavenly progeny.
Good morning Don. 😊
Hope you are well brother! When Paul uses the word “minister” in:
Romans 15:16 KJV — That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
This word as you state in your book, means priest. Since Paul is of the tribe of Benjamin, would his priestly
administration to the Gentiles have any place with in the new priesthood of Melchizadek? He doesn’t refer to Melchizadek in his epistles, but only in Hebrews, which we know refers to “the Hebrews”. But he is not of Levite descent either!
What does Melchizadek’s role have to do with the Body of Christ? Christ in our Grace epistles is said to be THE “mediator” between God and man… even THE MAN CHRIST Jesus.
Hope this question makes sense. God bless you alway.👑
Bobbi,
Paul became proxy Israel and served as a priest, as a Benjaminite, in the role God promised every Jew (Exodus 19.6). See also 1 Peter 2.9-10. In the kingdom, every Jew will fulfill this destiny and minister to Gentiles (Micah 4.2; Zechariah 8.20-23). Paul got to do it before anyone else.
Okay, So who all is in the Melchizadek Priesthood… Will the Nation be? … just Christ as High Priest? He is not called High Priest in Paul’s epistles but THE MAN…mediator. Just find that interesting as we are for heaven. This is God’s ROYAL Priesthood isn’t it?!!! Very cool! I remember Paul said he was “born out of due time”.
Thanks Don!😊 I think sometimes I forget as I continue to learn! Need more space lol.
Bobbi,
The Melchizedek priesthood is unique. It has one member. In this role, by His sacrifice, Christ brought in the New Covenant with the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins. As members of the Church, we have become beneficiaries of the New Covenant through Paul, as proxy Israel (2 Corinthians 3.6).
We are partakers of God’s promise in Christ by the gospel Eph.3… Christ’s blood, God’s grace and love..Eph.2. I don’t see how the unsearchable riches of Christ are in comparison to the New Covenant blessings of the Acts period believers.
We are to study… to shew ourselves approved unto God… where John says They “have an annointing”. They have no need a man teach them.
Don’t see this the same, as of my understanding so far. Am sad about that… Sorry.
Bobbi,
Paul stated he was a minister of the New Covenant. He wrote this after he received his gospel, after he received the revelation of the Church, the body of Christ. The NC promised the indwelling Holy Spirit and forgiveness of sins. We have both of these things and they come on the basis of the New Covenant. Christ did that work as a priest after the order of Melchizedek through His blood which He offered. That priesthood is for all as Melchizedek is first introduced to Abraham who is the father of both saved Jews and the Church—earthly and heavenly descendants. Also, the NC is never mentioned by any other NT writer but Paul.
Don,
This is something that has also been “gawking” at my understanding for some time. Bobbie kind of opened the door. Most of us (I believe here) have experienced, and constantly still do, massive amounts of “replacement theology”. It’s hard not to “knee jerk” to anything that even smells like it doctrinally. When using the phrase “new covenant” our first reaction is to go on the defensive. Yet, we know that Paul did speak of it, although mostly to the “Hebrews”. It seems it is one of the major “back doors” into not correctly “dividing” what is Jew, Greek (gentile), the Church (the body of Christ) (1 Cor. 10.32). Once in that “back door” anything good (only good, not the curses) Israel was given is now promised to the Church. I know I’ve read somewhere in all of your writings where you articulated the subject from “the body of Christ” position understandably. You’ve always made it clear that “the body of Christ” does NOT have a covenant with Abba in the sense that “the house of Israel” has (Jer. 31.31). The parameters seems to get blurred when addressing the position of the Holy Spirit Jer. 31.31 (the house of Israel) and 1 Cor. 12.27 (the body of Christ). Is being baptized (1 Cor. 12-13, Eph. 4.5), sealed (2 Cor. 1.22, Eph. 1.13-14, 4.30), given a new nature (2 Cor. 5.17, Gal. 6.15, Eph. 2.15, 4.24, Col. 3.10), given as a pledge (2 Cor. 1.22, 5.5), the same as “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jer. 31.33)? You are greatly appreciated by us here.
Michael,
Thank you. The New Covenant and the role of Melchizedek are transcendent. There is one mediator. Peter says this, Paul says this, and in Hebrews we read Christ was of the order of Melchizedek as a High Priest to offer His blood for sins. There is one salvation, one Mediator, even though salvation has been appropriated in different ways through different periods. We run no risk of “replacement theology” here for what would we be replacing? Salvation for salvation? It is Christ’s blood that accomplished this. The New Covenant was inaugurated with Christ’s blood. Paul says we are saved by His blood. So, A=A. Where there is a distinction is how this salvation is appropriated. To Jews of Christ’s day it was through faith (believing the gospel of the kingdom)and works. For us, through Paul’s gospel, by faith alone. Our being saved by Christ’s blood does not mean the Church is Israel or that Israel has been done with. On the contrary, Christ’s blood is for all. There is one salvation.
To show this in the light of the REALMS… EARTH vs. HEAVEN
Melchizedek is a type of Jesus Christ, ACCORDING TO prophecy… O.T. scriptures. King and Priest OF THE MOST HIGH GOD.
He is a type of the “SON of Man”, which term should have told Jews in the Times of the gospels, who Jesus was. For He called himself by this title. Look who he is…
Daniel 7:13 KJV — I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Matthew 9:6 KJV — But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
Matthew 12:8 KJV — For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
I believe Melcizedek is a term used in the “Kingdom of heaven” (earthly kingdom term). He is according to the Mystery of God in the OT. This is how Israel will know him, for a Priesthood originates with them. They will be kings and priests.
Whereas, we in the heavenly calling know him as THAT MAN… who is LORD OF ALL.
1 Timothy 2:5 KJV — For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Eph.1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 ¶And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Col.2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Eph.1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
To us He is God. For God is IN HIM.
Thank you for the Godly conversation.👑💖😊
Bobbi,
Melchizedek is associated with Abraham, the father of all who believe (Romans 4.16). Christ was of the order of Melchizedek so He could offer His blood, not the blood of animal sacrifices, which were before Abraham and after Moses, for the salvation of all—in whatever program. That goes far beyond Israel, Levi, and was Paul’s point when he wrote Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek. Melchizedek is Christ whom Paul wrote of in 1 Timothy 2.5–the mediator for all. So Melchizedek is another name and role of Christ. Through His blood all are saved. Melchizedek offered His blood and initiated the New Covenant (Matthew 26.28; Hebrews 7.26-27, 9.11-12, 12.24). Christ, in His role as Melchizedek, transcends and includes all God’s programs.
Sorry I need to say too that God started something new when he saved Paul… For He is FIRST as our pattern. 1 Tim.1. It is heavenly calling. It is all one body in Paul’s epistles, for he joins them in Ephesians. But one needs to Also rightly divide Paul’s epistles.
Just an addition for clarification. Had no intention of going here but with the whole covenant business, I thought it prudent.
Love to all brethren.💖
Bobbi,
God did start something new with Paul. When God saved Paul, He revealed salvation by faith alone in the death and resurrection of Christ. This is the means by which we appropriate salvation, not salvation itself. Salvation itself is the work of Christ, His shed blood which He offered as Melchizedek. In your other post, which I won’t post (due to its length) you seem to be saying Paul did not preach his gospel of grace until after Acts 28. Paul wrote Thessalonians, Galatians, Romans, Corinthians before Acts 28. Are you saying these books do not contain Church doctrine?
Rom. -Phil. is body doctrine. But there are some things that are not any longer for us. Look and see from WHENCE the Gentiles came from those early churches. After I studied that many things made sense. Our gospel and matters of “the faith” are all in all Paul’s books. The doctrine of Godliness is “building “Christ in you”, in us. I wish you post what I wrote because I worked out my own salvation in studying.
This verse should be thoroughly considered…
Rom.3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision BY faith, and uncircumcision THROUGH faith.
It’s all grace. But some had a right to hear the gospel first. These were Israelites, Jews and God fearing Gentiles who were at synagogues. If you look how many were saved at Paul’s Mars Hill address there were few. Israel could not have been cast away because she was SENT the gospel FIRST. The Acts 28:28,29 is where they DEPARTED, and of note it isn’t the turning to the Gentiles any longer like in earlier Acts but it is THE SALVATION OF GOD IS SENT. Thus it is sent through the epistles today. THERE IS NO ISRAEL TO BLESS ANYMORE.
Paul’s Jew First Ministry is a special time for a special purpose. The door to faith was opened to Gentiles to make Israel jealous… Rom 9-11 cover this but many miss the fact Paul was sent FOR A REMNANT. Rom.11:1-5 ish. They were expecting Christ anytime. But He did not come.
Paul’s gospel becomes THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF THE BLESSED GOD, because through Christ’s BLOOD and God’s grace and love, wrought by the cross makes all men eligible if they will believe. It’s a matter of knowing who we are. Paul was in Ephesus a long while. He knew and loved them well and visa versa. But He DOES NOT KNOW the ones in Ephesians and Colossians. He says he “heard of their faith and love”… Whereas the Phillipian church is from the Acts period… the Jew First Ministry. That is where they began.
Eph. Paul is preaching the unreachable riches of Christ. UNTRACEABLE. Though these two groups are joined he still says…
22 In whom YE also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Why doesn’t he say WE? Look closely at the pronouns in Eph.1,2 &3.
Going to stop due to length. I love you Don in the Lord. You taught me so much and helped me to grow whilst I was a babe in Christ. We all have to WORK OUT our own salvation. Alway
hold you in high regard for your precious work and thank God for you and pray for you. Even if we come to disagree on something … I find you a faithful brother.
God bless you and keep you.🙏
Bobbi,
Thank you. Paul’s “Jew first” ministry was based on the Abrahamic Covenant. To say Paul was sent for a “remnant” is to misread the text. He wished all Israel to be saved (Romans 9). What occurred was that a “remnant” responded (Romans 11.5). After Acts 15, all, Jew and Gentile, had to be saved through Paul’s gospel. As for Ephesians, Paul used “we” in Ephesians 1 to address the Church in general. He then began using “you” to address the Ephesians personally. I do not think one can make a sound case Paul was saying something different with the Ephesians than with the Philippians. As for Romans 3.30, Paul definitely made a distinction between Jew and Gentile. I don’t know if you’ve read my book on Paul but I devoted several pages to explaining this. Melchizedek appears in Genesis 14, as He gathers both the “dust” (Genesis 13) and the “stars” (Genesis 15) together. As this High Priest, He sat down, not as the Levitical priesthood, after He offered His blood to propitiate all. Anyway, may God bless you and continue to give you understanding and grace.
Hi Don… Good morning.🌺
[I do not think one can make a sound case Paul was saying something different with the Ephesians than with the Philippians] — Don
You were right! Woo hoo!
I had to share an update on my understanding on this. it bothered me a long time.
This morn …was studying Col. and Phil… and the most interesting word popped out to me… “CONFLICT”. . in BOTH EPISTLES. This seems to be speaking of the BATTLE to get the Gospel and doctrine out that was given Grace to Paul from God to ALL men,
and I realized DUH… we ourselves also are in too!… lol 😊 In the greek that word is interesting.
Colossians 2:1 KJV — For I would that ye knew what great CONFLICT I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Philippians 1:29 KJV — For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
30 Having the same CONFLICT which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
This helped me to see that these are both in the conflict and even what we experience today is the same CONFLICT (battle) to help men see. I know it is because WE ALL EXPERIENCE IT! 😊
Took me forever to figure this out. It’s very interesting studying all these things, between the Jew First Ministry and the Prison epistles. Basically the first he gets to see and know and they him. But the latter ones… have not yet met him not be them. We included! This was marvelous to see.
Praise the Lord for brothers who study and help keep us out of trouble! 👑💖🎺
God bless you today and everyday!
P.S. I’ve read both your books and all the articles too. Waiting on the next one.
Don, I continue to learn from you but I continue to trip over the rubble from my past understandings.
In your above response, are you saying that in Gen. 13:16 the dust of the earth (earthly people/destination) is referring to: 1. OT Israel (and those gentiles who converted) who believe in the COMING Messiah AND 2. the Jewish believers in the time of Jesus’ first advent and in the Trib and Millennium who believe Jesus IS Messiah? AND in Gen. 15:5 that the stars (heavenly people/ destination) represent future Gentiles who believe in Paul’s gospel?
So the end result for both those under Jesus’ gospel and Paul’s gospel is the New Covenant ie Holy Spirit living inside both groups. They just took 2 roads to get to the same place in Christ ie Salvation, but have 2 eternal destinations: one earthly and the other heavenly? Abraham, being the the father of faith, was given both these people groups in these visitations from God in Gen, 13 and 15? Thanks!!
Donna,
The dust/sand figure refers to those saved in God’s prophetic program, Jews and Gentiles saved before Paul’s gospel, members of the Church, the body of Christ, God’s secret program, the risen Christ revealed to Paul. The stars refers to those saved through Paul’s gospel. God made the New Covenant with Israel. But even though Israel nationally refused to repent, we, as members of the Church, participate in it (forgiveness of sins and the indwelling Spirit) through Paul, as proxy Israel, which agrees with the Abrahamic Covenant. That covenant established that all divine blessing would come through Jews.
Don,
In colossians 1:24, Paul says, ” Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church”. Other versions say ‘fill up what is lacking’. Most preachers I have read explain that this does not refer to the ‘finished work of Christ’, but instead that this finished work needs to be preached to the unsaved, that is what is lacking. Is this accurate or is Paul’s gospel what is lacking? Thank you.
Phil,
My translation reads: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you and am filling up the things lacking of the afflictions of the Christ in my flesh for his body, which is the Church. What Paul had in mind was his own suffering for the Church, the body of Christ. The Church has to undergo a certain amount of trouble and he is doing his part in completing it.
Hello Don!
Is there a release date for your study bible? Also, is it a translation you did or a kjv/nasb? Looking forward to getting one!!
Thanks!
Matt
Matt,
Thank you for your interest! It is my translation and I hope to finish in about another month. I’m working through a proof copy and once I finish this I will have one more proof done and then publish.
Thank you very much Don.. You have been doing a great job these past years!
I have a question, though not relating to this article..
I do not think God kills people. I believe He only wants to give people life, He is not willing that any should perish. Killing is a work of the devil as well as everything associated with death(sicknesses etc). I believe that everytime it was mentioned that God killed someone or a set of people in the Old Testament, I believe it was Satan or his demons at work because those guys were living in sin and the devil had a field’s day with them. One of the reasons I strongly believe so is because the people in the Old Testament could not see Satan at work. The word Satan, devil or demon is mention less than a combined 10 times in the whole of the old testament (apart from the book of Job) – not even as much as one of the gospels. It was as though they were separated from God and therefore, Satan operated in that gap. Also, so is that when Jesus came, he attributed sicknesses and diseases to Satan and demons, never to God. His job was to heal and heal no matter the circumstances and John tells us that Christ came to give us an understanding of God as He is the one true God. Paul also says He is the perfect representation of the Father.. (I think God doesnt have it in him or have the capacity to kill just as he doesn’t have it in him to lie or steal. Please Don, I need to hear your take on this. You can also work on an article on the subhect “Does God kill?”
Thank you very much
Daniel,
Thank you. God kills people for various reasons. In the Flood, God killed off the entire human race except for 8 people due to their evil and because the human genome had become corrupted from fallen angels mating with women. Had God not done this the human race would have destroyed itself. When the Assyrians came to make war against Judah, God, the angel of the Lord, who is usually the pre-incarnate Christ, destroyed their army of 185,000 so the kingdom could enjoy another 100 years of freedom before being conquered by Nebuchadnezzar. In the Tribulation, God will destroy most of the human race for their worship of Satan and the Beast. God sends unbelievers to eternal punishment, the second death, for their rejection of His love and salvation (Revelation 21.8). God desires all to be saved for He died for all. He loves life and freely gives it to all who wish it. No life exists apart from God but one cannot have life if one rejects the source of life, God Himself (Isaiah 55.1-3).
Don, sickness and diseases as well as aging is all because of satan. People die because of these things. Yet God often gets blamed for it.
Thank you very much for your reply.. I have a follow up question. How then do we differentiate when God was the one afflicting or killing in the old testament and when satan was the one doing it. An example of such is where it was recorded that “an evil spirit from God came upon Saul”. I know that can’t be accurate because Christ revealed to us the source of evil when he came to earth. 2. How do we differentiate instances when God was was the one that actually said what was written and when the prophet just wrote from his understanding. An instance of this is when Jonah wrote “and God repented of the evil which he said He would do unto them, and He did it not”. I know this can’t be accurate because God cannot repent and also God cannot do evil.
Thank you Mr Samdahl. You are doing really well.
Daniel,
We can make the distinction by when God Himself acts as in the examples or by when He commanded the Jews to go to war, e.g., when God told them to slaughter the Canaanites. Read 2 Kings 22. God allows evil spirits to accomplish His will at times. When the prophets write, “the word of the Lord came to me” we know the Lord gave them direct communication. The same with Paul. Everything Paul wrote he received by direct revelation except when he specifically stated otherwise, cf. 1 Corinthians 7.6. God’s will operates within human volition. The genius of God is that He can make His plan turn out the way he wants it and still allow billions of wills to operate. The permutations are almost infinite but God manages it for He has a big brain. The Ninevites responded to Jonah’s message and God did not destroy them. If then had not God would have acted differently. Jonah wanted them wiped out. See my article, Jonah: the Angry Prophet.
Don,
What view do you have of holyness and a holy God? Jesus, the son of God died on a cross, but was it God or the evil of thia world which caused His death? Is death and killing a part of Gods nature, and not a part of Satan and this fallen and sinful world, then why does not God and Jesus Himself kill individuals to death in Heaven? This we know since it’s written in the new testament that there will be no sorrow or death in Heaven. What really does a holyness really mean for you? What doew a holy God, Jesus nailed to a cross for your sins really mean to you. Is all this aspect sin and holyness only theories and pure text and theology to you?
Isaac,
Holiness is the absence of sin. Death is a result, the consequence of sin. Jesus’ death on the cross paid the penalty for mankind’s sin. He took care of the consequence of Adam’s failure as well as each of our personal failures and sins. A sinless universe will not come completely until God creates a new heaven and new earth. In it sin and death will not exist. Yet even then, the second death will continue.
Thank you, I’ll read the Jonah article later.
1) Don, you said God would have acted differently… In several instances in scripture, “God” stated that He has repented or changed his mind about something and many times, it’s about doing evil(Exo 32:14, 2nd Sam 24:16, 1st Chron 21:15, Jer 18:8 and also in Hezekiah’s case). Meanwhile God also stated that He is not a man and that’s very he can’t repent. (Eze 24:14, 1st Sam15:29)…
2)About doing evil, James said that good and perfect gifts are from God and there is no variableness with Him. James also said that God cannot be tempted with evil.. It seems as though God is too good to do evil and that evil is far from God because it’s the opposite of His nature. It’s either I don’t know what evil is or the concept of evil is subjective to what God thinks.. Which is it?!
3)Clearly though, the new testament presented God differently from the old testament. Jesus rebuked the disciples when they suggested that he killed people as Elijah did and even stated that He can’t to be a life giver. . I don’t think God approved of what Elijah did there. Jesus also went directly against the laws of Moses and even called it “their law” in more than one instance. Apostle Paul called anger a fruit of the flesh(something that God was known for in the OT like a trademark or something).
One thing I’m assured of is, one cannot know God at all by just the old testament. The prophets had a lot if things jumbled up, they seemed very confused. They had revelations from God, yes, divinely inspired but I believe it was mixed with what the devil also brought to their mind and they didn’t have the ability to distinguish them and so everything becomes what they thought God said.
They say one thing today and say the opposite a few chapters later which was very unlike Paul. We need to see Jesus and study Paul to know who God really is. What is your take on this please?
4) I believe that God wasnt the one that sent the snakes in the wilderness to kill the children of Israel even though it was recorded so, but God was responsible for healing them by commanding Moses to lift up that serpent(what do u believe about this) . There were a lot of evil and death ascribed to God that was part of the works of Satan that Christ came to destroy. Do u think so too? and I believe that even the prophets that wrote the scriptures were spiritually dead and didn’t know God and as such all their words are subject to scrutiny by what the New Testament reveals about God. What do you also think of this?
Wherever you agree with me,
please say so and correct me with scriptures whereever you believe I err. Also, wherever you think you need a little time to study, please say so too please. I really hope I’m not asking for too much. I just want to clear the confusion in my head.
Plus, I think I may still have further questions. Lol
God continues to bless and reward you for all your work and labour of love! Grace and peace to you!…
Daniel,
1. God repents on occasion based on human volition. 2. God does not do evil and is completely fair to everyone. 3. The same God is in the OT and NT. Jesus Himself will one day kill most of humanity (read Isaiah 63.1-6 and compare Revelation 19.15). Killing evil people is not wrong. God Himself established capital punishment. 4. God sent the snakes as a judgment for the people’s unbelief. The prophets spoke for God. Again, the notion that the God of the OT was a God of wrath the God of the NT is a God of love is false. Such ideas have led to great confusion.
Okay.. Thank you very much!
Was it God that established death as the punishment for sin before man ever even sinned?!
Daniel,
God told Adam that if he ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil he would die. But in Genesis 9, God gave mankind the right of capital punishment for murder to govern society.
I have to continue to commend you sir. God bless you sir.
I apologize for asking so many questions. Thank you.
Does God get angry?
I ask because Paul says we should put away anger. That it is a fruit of the flesh. How do you reconcile this??
Grace and Peace
Daniel,
We are created in God’s image. The fact we get angry tells us this is part of God’s nature. The Bible often speaks of God’s anger (Isaiah 63.3). In Jesus’ earthly ministry, He exercised His anger when He saw the Jewish rulers had turned the Temple into an emporium. Anger, in pursuit of righteousness is not sin.
Okay.. Answered! Thank you. Confusions are being cleared here. If I get you right, the anger Paul tells the church to put away was not anger in general but the type to may lead you to sin or anything that would cause harm to yourself or other people. But whatever the type, it shouldn’t last very long, right?
Daniel,
Exactly. Paul addressed this specific issue in Ephesians 4.26.
Don,
Your articles are always the result of thorough study and appropriate application of scripture. When I read another author writings, saying that Melchizedek and Christ were the same, I never understood, why the comparison. You answered my question. I think you are saying: God used many types and figures in Israel’s history that pointed to Christ. No one else in history but Melchizedek, as the Son of God, could be a proper representative of Jesus, as both priest and king, thus pointing to Christ.
Question: When reading the previous replies, you refer to Paul as proxy Israel. I have never heard that term in seven years of right division of scripture. Will you please elaborate or reference an article that addresses what that means?
Arnita,
Thank you. I am now writing a commentary on Hebrews and discuss Melchizedek. The larger picture is that the Lord Himself is both the author, stage director, and actor in the great drama He is unfolding. For example, everything in the tabernacle spoke of Christ. Christ was epitomized by the High Priest, by the animal sacrifices, and by all the implements and furniture. So God reveals Himself to mankind through different roles. We have a God who is intimately involved in many ways in bringing us knowledge of His salvation. Christ was the Angel of the Lord who first appeared to Hagar, one of the “men” who visited Abraham, the “stranger” who appeared on the road to Emmaus, etc. As for the proxy question, I answer it in my books which you have ordered.