A Short Break

I will be spending the next few weeks moving across country and getting settled in my new home. I had hoped that I would be able to continue to post through the transition, however with so much to do I realize now that I cannot possibly to all things well. Right now I must concentrate on the my family and take a short break from writing Bible study. I will begin posting again mid-July and we will pick up where we left off.
I can't wait to write about Genesis 15, it is arguably the most important chapter in the Old Testament.
Thank you for your patience.
April

A Strange Encounter Day 3

You will need your Bible today.

Today is our last day with Melchizedek. It never ceases to amaze me that the Holy Spirit could inspire so much from 3 little verses in Genesis. It should give us great reassurance that the Bible is a wonderful, Supernatural Book. If Melchizedek points directly to Jesus, then then certainly there is more to the Old Testament then meets the eye. God is so awesome to reveal Jesus through stories and prophecy, centuries before He walked the earth. We have so much more to uncover, but first lets finish up with Melchizedek.

I highly recommend that you read all of Hebrews chapter 7 (actually 6:13- 8:6) to get a full grasp of how Melchizedek modeled Christ, yet we don't have time to go through it all.

Please read Hebrews 7:11- 8:1 for today.

Yesterday we saw how by omitting information about the person Melchizedek, the Holy Spirit made him a type or model of Jesus. Had his history or later events been added to the Bible, he would not fit the mold. The Holy Spirit is always deliberate with information.

"Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days of end of life, like the Son of God [Melchizedek] remains a priest forever." Hebrews 7:3

In a very real way every layer of the Old Testament points to Jesus. When the LORD gave Moses the Law, He included the role and responsibilities of the priests. The priests were to intercede on behalf of the nation of Israel, atoning for their sins before God. The priests however were, like all people, sinful themselves and therefore had to purify themselves, through sacrifice, before they could offer sacrifice for the people. The sacrifices themselves had to be done continually because the blood of bulls and goats couldn't actually take away sin, they were shadows and reminders of the One who could.

"The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming- not the reality themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship...But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, becasue it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goat to take away sins...Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifice, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God...because by one sacrifice he had made perfect forever those who are being made holy." Hebrews 10:1-2, 4, 11-12 &14

The Levitical priest and their sacrifices were shadows of Christ, but it is Jesus alone who is able to actually forgive our sins. In the Old Testament the word for atonement implies a covering over, or pushing ahead of sin.* The Greek word used in the New Testament means the sin-debt has been paid in full and removed.** Jesus is the fulfullment and perfection of what the Law required.

And because Jesus is eternal, He is always interceding on our behalf before the Father. While the Levitical priests were only able to enter into the Holy Place to perform their duties according to the Law, and only the high priest could enter into the Holy of Holies, and that just once a year, through Jesus we have constant and continual access to the Father. Jesus is always there to take our cares and concerns to the Father.

"Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."Hebrews 7:24, 25

Again Jesus is the fulfillment and perfection, the Levitical system was a model or type so that we might know the greatness of Jesus and all that He has done for us.

The Levitical system was the center of worship for the Jews. By the time Jesus came, it had been an institution for about 1400 years. That's a very long time to follow a tradition, it was difficult even for Jewish believers to understand that anything, even Christ, could supercede the Law. By using Melchizedek as a model, the writer of Hebrews showed that even before the Law God had made clear that One would come who would perfect the Law and be far greater than it.

Still Melchizedek is quite a mystery. Over the centuries (milenia) many people have come up with interesting suggestions as to who he might have actually been (remember Melchizedek is a title). Jewish tradition claims that Melchizedek was actually Shem, the son of Noah, and ancester of Abram (and Jesus).*** According to Genesis 11:11, Shem lived for 500 years. Having survived the Flood and recieved the blessing from Noah, its not impossible that Shem became priest of God Most High, as well as king of Salem (which by the way, later became Jerusalem).

In 2 of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Melchizedek is said to be Michael the archangel.*** However it is unlikely that God would place an angel as a physical king over any city, and Michael specifically would be less likely. Every Biblical reference to Michael is as protector and defender of God's covenant people, it is a bit of a stretch (for me) for him to take a role other than that.

In more recent years there has been the suggestion that Melchizedek was actually a preincarnate Christ. There are several places in the Old Testament where a stranger appears, who is either Commander of the Lords army, or the Angel of the Lord that can rightly be attributed to Jesus; Abraham pleaded with a Stranger over the destruction of Sodom (Genesis 18), Jacob wrestled with an Angel, who blessed him and changed his name (Genesis 32:22-32), and a Man, who looked "like a son of the gods" appeared in the blazing fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When we look at Hebrews 7, however, it seems odd for the author to compare Jesus to Himself.
Whoever Melchizedek was, what was important to the Holy Spirit (for Biblical purposes) was his role as king and priest. Giving him an identity apart from king and priest, would have deminished him as a type or model of Jesus.
"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.

* Hebrew- Greek Key Word Study Bible, NIV. pg 1524

** Hebrew- Greek Key Word Study Bible, NIV pg. 1634

*** Walton, John H. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary Volume 1. Grand Rapid, MI. Zondervan. 2009. pg 82

A Strange Encounter Day 2

You will need your Bible today.
Melchizedek may seem like a strange interloper in the story of Abram's victory over the 4 kings, but he probably would have settled into obscurity had it not been for King David. Outside of Genesis 14, there is only one other verse in the Old Testament that refers to Melchizedek and it has some interesting implications.
Please read Psalm 110:1-7
Though many of the Psalms are prophetic, Jesus declared this one was all about Him.
"While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 'What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?' 'The son of David,' they replied. He said to them, 'How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says, 'The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.' If David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?' No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions." Matthew 22:41-46
Psalm 110 is all about the Messiah (specifically about the 2nd coming when He comes to conquer and reign). Tucked into this psalm is our only other Old Testament reference to Melchizedek.
"The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." Psalm 110:4
At the time David was king this would have been a very strange thing to say, yet the Holy Spirit wanted us to understand that the Christ was be unique in His role.
About 600 years after Abram entered Canaan, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. Before heading to the Promised Land (Canaan), the LORD brought them to Mount Sinai. It was at Mount Sinai that Moses received the 10 commandment, the blueprints for the Tabernacle and the rules and regulations for daily life, and worship. There the LORD appointed the tribe of Levi to be His priests. They were to be separate from the other tribes and were not allowed to be king. Judah was the tribe that God had appointed to the royal kingship, and the kings were not allowed to take on the role of the priest (Judah was also the tribe that the Messiah would come from). God very specifically separated the two roles.Yet David, speaking by the power of the Holy Spirit exalts the priest king Melchizedek over the priesthood of Levi and the kingship of Judah. The Messiah would be both King and Priest like Melchizedek.
Out of seemingly nowhere, David (by the Holy Spirit) used Melchizedek to describe the Messiah, then he vanished again until Hebrews. Psalm 110:4 quoted in both chapters 5 and 6 but in chapter 7 Melchizedek takes center stage as a clear foreshadowing of the Christ.
"This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means 'king of righteousness'; then also, 'king of Salem' means 'king of peace.' Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever." Hebrews 7:1-3
I've said it before but it bears repeating, sometimes its not what the Holy Spirit includes in Scripture that is important but what the Holy Spirit excludes.
Melchizedek showed up on the scene of Genesis 14 with no history and we leave him there with no future. He merely exists (to our knowledge) within the confines of 3 verses. The lack of background, what his personal name was (Melchizedek is a title), who his parents were, when he was born, as well as the lack of information after his appearance in Genesis allowed the Holy Spirit to draw a better parallel between him and Jesus (We don't have to assume that Melchizedek was really never born or never died, though some believe it and that's okay). Without having a (recorded) beginning or end Melchizedek never stopped being a priest to God Most High, which is a beautiful model of Jesus who has ascended to Heaven to be our High Priest forever.
"Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood." Hebrews 7:24
Jesus is our High Priest right now interceding for us before the throne of God. He is also our King, He is our ruler and Lord of our hearts and minds (at least He should be). However the day is coming when He will return to this Earth to be King and Priest over all Creation.
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God." Revelation 21:3

A Strange Encounter Day 1

This week we are get to focus on 3 verses from Genesis 14. It might seem strange that 3 verses would require a week onto themselves, but thanks to the writer of Hebrews there is more than enough to work with. Today we will stay mostly in Genesis though as we begin to look at a strange character who's role is small but who's impact is huge.
"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 be 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
Abram's run in with Melchizedek is a little strange right from the start. Abram was coming home after defeating the 4 Mesopotamian kings, bringing with him the people and the plunder that belonged to the 5 Canaanite kings that had rebelled. Salem and its king had not been involved at all in the battle, yet Melchizedek comes out to the place where the king of Sodom went to meet Abram. As if his showing up wasn't odd enough, what he brings with him is bizarre for the time.
It was common in ancient times when battles were over for the victors to share a meal while they worked out the details of sharing the spoils. Yet the feasts were usually grand and included meat, while Melchizedek brought out only bread and wine.* Bread and wine may have been a peculiar feast at that time, but in light of the New Testament it is quite significant.
"And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." Luke 22:19 & 20
Melchizedek was not just the king of Salem, he was priest of God Most High who had come out to bless Abram, a worshipper of God Most High. He brought with him the sacraments of communion to celebrate God's victory of the enemy. What we do to remember the Cross and Jesus victory over the enemy, they did looking forward, foreshadowing the yet future Cross.
In the Hebrew God Most High is El Elyon, which is a pretty exact translation; God above all others, supreme, transcendent, Creator and Possessor of all things. The implication here is that El Elyon is universal, He is sovereign over all creation and therefore God of all creation. He may have chosen Abram to be His man and his descendants to be His people, His example to all the earth, but He is not their God only. He is every one's God (whether they acknowledge Him or not).**
"Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him." Psalm 115:3
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and disposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." Daniel 2:20 & 21
Melchizedek was priest of The God of the universe and clearly attributes Abram's victory to Him.
"And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.' Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything." Genesis 14:20
The victory was El Elyon's and Abram paid tribute to God through His priest, by giving Melchizedek his tithe.
Tithing is a fairly uncomfortable topic. The idea is sound, everything belongs to God and we acknowledge His gifts to us by returning 10% to Him. Certainly living on 90% should be plenty, but the reality is that giving tithe to God takes faith probably more then it takes discipline. In a few of the commentaries I looked at the authors assumed that Abram was giving tithe out of the plunder from defeating the 4 kings. I'm not a Bible scholar but I think he gave more then just what he had captured, especially in light of the fact that he kept none of the plunder. Verse 20 says that Abram gave a tenth of everything. Considering that he and Lot separated because combined they had too much, I think Abram was extremely wealthy. I think everything would include his own personal wealth. Giving away other peoples stuff doesn't honor God, and tithing with wealth that isn't yours shows no faith. I believe (totally personal opinion) that Abram would have thought as King David would:
"But the king replied to Araunah, 'No, I insist on paying you for [the land]. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24
I do find it interesting that after Abram gave a 10th to Melchizedek, the king of Sodom piped up with a quick compromise. Its almost like he was worried Abram would give everything away and he's end up with nothing. Abram however returns to the king of Sodom everything that was his, people and stuff.
What is even more interesting to me is that Melchizedek was king of Salem, Salem means peace. While Bera was the king of Sodom, which means flaming or burning. Even their names imply opposites, Melchizedek means king of righteousness, while Bera means son of evil.*** In a very real way Abram was standing between the representatives of God and the world (Satan), and he made the clear declaration that he was on the side of the LORDs.
The 3 verses alone give us much to think about, Melchizedek seems to be more then he appeared to be. For the next 2 days we will look at what the writer of Hebrews had to say about this strange encounter and get to see glimpses of our King of Righteousness.
"The days are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness." Jeremiah 23:5 & 6


* Walton, John H. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary Volume 1. Grand Rapids, MI. Zondervan. 2009. pg. 82-83
** Moore, Beth. The Patriarchs: Encountering the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Nashville, TN. Lifeway Press. 2005. pg.31
*** Smith, Stelman & Judson Cornwall. The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names. Gainsville, FL. Bridge-Logos Publishers. 1998. pgs. 229, 170 & 36

Abraham and Lot Day 3

You will need your Bible today.
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33b
When Lot was taken captive by the 4 kings of Mesopotamia, trouble had come to Abram as well. He could have ignored it, after all Lot was in this mess because he had chosen to live among the people of Sodom, but Abram loved Lot and chose instead to rescue him. God had told Abram that He would protect him, and after the lesson learned in Egypt I have no doubt that Abram believed God, yet it's interesting that he already had a small army ready to go.
"When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan." Genesis 14:14
Abram had 318 men that lived in his household and were loyal to him from birth ,that were already trained. He didn't send them to boot camp after he heard about Lot, or quickly run through some tactical training with them, they were already ready for battle. Abram was prepared for whatever trouble he might find in Canaan.
Did keeping so many men battle ready in his home show a lack of faith in God's promise of protection?
"For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair- every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you." Proverbs 2:6-11
God expects us to trust Him above all else, but He also expects us to be wise. Jesus warned us that there would be trouble, in Him we have victory, but that doesn't mean we can be foolish. Christian's still need to wear their seat belts, avoid dark alleys at night, and go to the doctor when they are sick. Its not that God can't save us if we are foolish enough to walk off the top of a 10 story building but when Satan tried to convince Jesus to try it, Jesus answered, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test." (Matthew 4:7) which is sound advice. If Jesus wasn't flippant with God's protection then we probably shouldn't be either.
We have to make wise choices that avoids trouble when it is avoidable. Abram had a small army living under his roof, but he didn't go out looking for trouble, he avoided it when he could.
"Avoid every kind of evil" 1 Thessalonians 5:22
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
"Live as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." Ephesians 5:8b-11
"People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." 2 Timothy 3:2-5
God wants us to stay far away from sin. Not tolerate it like Lot did, but separate ourselves from it. The farther away from sin we are the less likely we are to get into trouble. Unfortunately trouble isn't always avoidable. Abram didn't do anything wrong, yet he couldn't leave Lot in captivity. When we can't avoid trouble, we need to already be prepared. We might not have an army at our disposal but we are told where to get some armor.
Please read Ephesians 6:10-18
You may be familiar with the Armor of God, but how often do you really put it on? Paul is quick to explain that our battle isn't against other people but against sin, and the powers that encourage it. Lets face it we have an enemy, and if we are making the slightest impact in this world for God (which God expects us to do), then we are targets. Of course Satan isn't our only enemy, our flesh (human nature) wars within us as well. God promises to protect us, but He gives us armor for a reason.
Truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, and salvation give us a firm foundation. When trouble comes these you have to know God's truth from the world's lies. Righteousness is acting on God's Truth, its making right choices, which keeps you safe, while understanding the Gospel, that Jesus came as our Salvation and will return as our Lord, keeps us from getting too comfortable in this world. Hebrews tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God, trusting that He knows what He's doing with our lives is vital when trouble comes. Of course salvation is the cornerstone of our protection. Being part of God's family places us under His wing or protection. Finally our weapon is the Word and pray. God's Word tells us what is True, and righteous. The Bible shows us who Jesus is, so that we can have faith and salvation. When trouble is headed right for us, its knowing God's Word that keeps us standing our ground.
Abram was ready when trouble came. He and his army didn't waste time wondering what he should do. Abram knew God, God who is the source of wisdom, he knew what was right and he acted immediately. He didn't try to compromise with the 4 kings, he didn't make peace with them, he also didn't compromise with the 5 kings when he returned their people and belongings.
"The king of Sodom said to Abram, 'Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.' But Abram said to the king of Sodom, 'I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.' I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me." Genesis 14:21-24
By the world's standards Abram had every right to take the plunder he had reclaimed, but he wasn't living by the world's standards. When the battle was over Abram nothing to do with the wickedness of Sodom and the other kings. He had saved his nephew, which was his only goal, and new that God wanted him to stay separated from corrupting influences. By refusing to take the plunder, he acknowledged that the victory was the LORDs and the LORD would continue to provide.
In this world we will have trouble, its inevitable, but God gives us the wisdom and the tools to be prepared. With Him we will always be the victor.
"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16

Abraham and Lot Day 2

You will need your Bible today.

After becoming so wealthy that the land could not support them both together, Abram gave Lot the pick of the land. Lot who was young and ambitious choose the land that looked the best and offered opportunities for trade and to further increase his wealth.

"So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company; Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom." Genesis 13:11 & 12

While Abram trusted God to prosper him where ever he went, Lot trusted his eyes and went where he was sure he would prosper. Unfortunately looks can be deceiving. While the land may have been lush the area was already gaining a reputation.

"Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD." Genesis 13:13

Please read Genesis 14:1-24

Lot was more concerned with what could benefit him financially then what could harm him morally. When the 4 kings attacked, Lot was no longer living outside of Sodom, he'd moved inside and was guilty by association.

A major theme in the New Testament is sanctification; it means to be made holy, devoted to God. The main idea it that something that is sanctified is set apart from what is common.* Christians are supposed to stand out, be different from those around us.

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14

(We often associate this verse specifically with marriage but it should be applied to all our close relationships)

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." 1 Thessalonians 4:11

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." 1 Peter 1:15

God wants us to be in the world as salt and light, showing the world who Jesus is. When we are immersed in the culture and become part of this world, its much harder to maintain your saltiness, and brightness. The tendency is to become tolerant, or desensitized and remain silent about sin. The world sees Christian silence as condoning sin, not tolerance.

Abram on the other hand had separated himself from the "world" and chose to dwell where he could hear God. (Interestingly Hebron means communion or fellowship**) God blessed him not only by renewing the promise of the land, but when Lot's choice led to trouble, God gave Abram the victory.

God wants us to be holy, set apart and distinct from the world. He does not want us to disengage from the world. Abram may have gone after the 4 kings to rescue his nephew, but he saved everyone. His heart was still tender.

Sometimes we think of being separate from the world as being above it, but that's not God's intention. Jesus, who was with God at Creation and is God, came to earth as a man. He didn't lord over men, but became a servant offering himself as the perfect sacrifice for our salvation. He ate dinner with tax collectors and spoke to women with bad reputations because He loved them and wanted them to be made whole, but His most intimate relationships were with His disciples. They are the ones He spent time with, fellowshipped with, and lived with.

We need to imitate Christ; be in this world and love it but not be like it.





* Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible NIV. Chattanooga, TN. AMG Publishers 1996. pg 1572

** Courson, Jon. Application Commentary: Old Testament Vol. 1. Nashville, TN. Thomas Nelson. 2005. pg. 63