My Dad’s name is Melchizedek. He is one of eleven who all have Biblical names. While many families participate in honorary naming, my father is the only person I know who has such a name. He goes by Mel.
As a daughter of Melchizedek, I have taken great care to learn about dad’s namesake.
After the fall, God chose Abram and Sarai as the first redemptive family to point mankind back to their orginal function. The Creator of the universe intended for humanity to operate in dominion over the earth by serving as His kings and priests. God also wanted to get back in the business of pouring out Eden-like blessings on His creation.
Abram met Melchizedek, the priestly king over Shalem (ancient name for Jerusalem), after a huge victory. Melchizedek blessed Abram, and Abram instituted the first tithe by giving to Melchizedek. Both men blessed and honored eachother.
Later, Abraham would offer his only son as a sacrifice to God near where he met Melchizedek. As we know, God provided a substitute sacrifice, offered peace (Shalem means peace), and showed us the need for a priestly king. All of this points to Christ.
This "king of peace" or "king of righteousness" sparked some interesting theories. Some believe the words of Hebrews are more symbolic than literal and interpret Melchizedek to be an ordinary man whose service to God and men mirrored that of Christ. Others take a more literal approach and believe Melchizedek to be like an angel. This thought would explain why Jesus is referred to as the "Great High Priest" over other such spirital beings. Still others believe Melchizedek is a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Himself.
Regardless of whether Melchizedek was mortal or immortal, God chose to attach His priesthood to this character. Few received such a distinction. King David was forever linked to Jesus' bloodline with the term "son of David" which simultaneously proclaimed Jesus as royalty.
David was a priestly king who publicly wore the priestly garments when the Ark was brought to Jerusalem; Melchizedek was also a priestly king but the fact that he received the first tithe points more to his priestly role.
Clearly Jesus is our King who is the ultimate authority, our ruler, and worthy of our devotion. He is also our High Priest who ministers to us, attones for our sins, and understands our humanity.
King David and Melchizedek are well known but do you remember Jehoiada? Nestled towards the end of the long history of kings and priests in 2 Chronicles is a quick but telling account of a remarkable priest.
Jehoiada gathered together military captains and summoned the Levites to overthrow the unrighteous and demonic leadership of his day, and to establish God’s rightful king although Joash was just a boy. Jehoida’s guided the people back to covenant with God and destroyed the images and house of Baal. Under Jehoiada’s protection and guidance king Joash carried out godly reforms and repaired the temple.
It’s easy to miss but at Jehoiada’s death we read, “They buried him in the City of David among the kings because he had done good [things] in Israel and toward God and His house.” (AMP)
All throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles we read of unrighteous kings who were discredited and lost their kingly burial, but here we read of a priest who gained one.
Unlike Melchizedek there is no great debate about Jehoiada’s possible divinity. Instead, we are given an example of what we might become if committed to God. Jehoiada summoned his courage to organize a “commander in chief” like operation to do the will of God and bring desperately needed change.
Are you willing to connect your faith to such a bold action? What might be hindering you from the radical change God is calling you to enact? Is your family a redemptive family? Do you know your identity in Christ?
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