The blessing of Melchizedek is cited by the author of Hebrews. You can see why Christians would love this story: the King of righteousness, the land of peace, bread and wine, the priest of God Most High. It's hard for us NOT to see Christ in this this figure. The thing that caught my eye this morning, though, was the negotiation afterward with the king of Sodom. Abram swore not to take anything lest someone besides God Most High would be able to say "I have made Abram rich." This makes me think of the army of Gideon. His troops were reduced from 30,000 to 10,000 to 300 before the Lord would let him go against Midian. The reason was that if Gideon went with so many, then he would be tempted to say, "My own hand has delivered me." God wants Midian to have overwhelming strength against Gideon so that when Gideon prevails it will be clear that it was God's doing. Abram refuses wealth from the king of Sodom so that when Abram becomes wealthy, it will be clear that it is God's doing.
King Melchizedek of Salem, the king of righteousness and priest of God most high from the place of peace blesses Abram. "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!" I love this blessing. It gives credit to God Most High for the military victory, just as Abram insists on giving credit to God Most High for the economic victory. Here's what I imagine, though, speaking from the text to today. I imagine the name of each person I know in that blessing. It's a blessing, it's personal, it's triumphant, it's praising God Most High all at once. Picture your name in it: "Blessed be {your name here} by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered you." Stand up and say it out loud. Feel the blessing and trust God Most High for your deliverance.
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