Award-winning author, Dr. Robert E. Jackson, Jr., teaches Biblical principles on marriage, family, parenting, current events, evangelism, discipleship and health issues. Over 40 years as a medical doctor, 38 years of marriage, and parenting 9 children give Dr. Jackson a unique, relevant perspective on Christian life issues.
A mysterious priest-king steps onto the page of Genesis for a moment and somehow ends up shaping how we understand Jesus for the rest of the Bible. We open Genesis 14:17-20 and meet Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of God Most High, as he brings bread and wine, blesses Abram, and receives a tenth. If you’ve ever wondered why this brief scene carries so much weight, we walk through the details that make it unforgettable.
We explore what Melchizedek’s name and title reveal: King of Righteousness and King of Peace, words that echo the identity and work of Jesus Christ. We also slow down over the blessing that calls God “Most High” and “possessor of heaven and earth,” a direct challenge to the many pagan powers of Canaan and a reminder that the Creator rules over every nation and every ruler. Along the way, we connect that truth to the story of Nebuchadnezzar and the sobering lesson that God knows how to humble pride until we finally acknowledge who he is.
Then we tackle the big question Christians still debate: is Melchizedek a type of Christ or a theophany, an Old Testament appearance of the Lord Jesus? Psalm 110 and Hebrews 5–7 frame Jesus as our permanent, living High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” and Hebrews 7:3 gives a description that pushes us to think carefully. We end with a practical challenge: study the Word for yourself, stay united on the essentials, give liberty on the non-essentials, and practice charity in all things. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review, then tell us where you land on Melchizedek: type or theophany?
Welcome to More Than Medic, where Jesus is more than enough for the ills that plague our culture and our country. Hosted by author and physician, Dr. Robert Jackson.
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Papa, can you tell me a story? Do you really want me to tell you a story? Well, you go get your brother and your sisters, and I will tell you a story. Welcome to Devotions with Dr. Papa. Gather round, grab your Bibles, and let us look into the written word which reveals to us the living word who is our Lord Jesus Christ.
Today we're in Genesis chapter fourteen verses seventeen through verse twenty. Then after his return from the defeat of Cheddarleamor and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shabe, that is the king's valley. And Melchizedek, King of Salem, brought out bread and wine. Now he was a priest of God most high. He blessed him and said, Blessed be Abram of God most high, possessor of heaven and earth, and blessed be God most high who has delivered your enemies into your hand. He gave him a tenth of all.
In this passage we meet one of the most intriguing characters in the Bible, his name Melchizedek, the king of Sodom and the priest of the most high God came out to meet Abram. This fascinating individual is referred to by David nine hundred years later in Psalms one hundred ten and verse four, and then a thousand years later than that by the writer to the Hebrews, where Melchizedek is mentioned nine different times. Most theologians believe that Melchizedek is a type of Christ, and then others believe that this is a theophany, an actual appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Old Testament, and the passages in the letter to the Hebrews more fully explain who this king of Salem really was, as we will see in a moment.
Hebrews chapter seven and verse two informs us that his name means King of Righteousness. In the same way that Jesus is Jehovah Tesidanu, the Lord our righteousness, lending further credence to the claim that this is a theophany, an old Testament appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. His title King of Salem means King of Peace, the same as Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. For this king to be called the King of Peace in a wicked and demonic land such as Canaan is remarkable as the Prince of Peace, walking in the same land centuries later among wicked men and demon possessed people. Melchizedek is the first priest mentioned in the Bible, and he obviously had a unique relationship to the true God.
In verse nineteen, when he blessed Abram, he used the term Elon, the most high God to stress the absolute authority and superiority of God over the multitude of pagan gods in Canaan. He also identified God as the possessor of heaven and earth, referring back to Genesis chapter one. Now it's interesting to me to note that after Nebuchadnezzar came to his senses after seven years of living like a beast separated from men, that he acknowledged the very same thing, saying that God does according to his will in the host of heaven. And then he said, I Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the king of heaven, for all his works are true and his ways just, and he is able to humble those who walk in pride. Who had been walking in pride? Nebuchadnezzar had, and God humbled him and made him eat grass like an ox for seven years. Melchizedek had the inside track, and he knew exactly who God was, possessor of heaven and earth. Nebuchadnezzar caught on after seven years of eating grass like an ox. So what does it take for you and me to catch on and acknowledge that there is one true God who is the king of the universe, the king of all the nations, and the supreme judge to whom we all must give
account. Abram gladly recognized Melchizedek as representing the same God who had called him to leave Ur of the Chaldees and move to Canaan in the first place. So he gave him a tenth of all. It does not specify if it means a tithe of everything that Abram owned, or a tithe of the recaptured booty, a tithe of the spoils. That remains a topic for debate. Either one would be appropriate, for after all, it is God who gives us the power to make wealth, as Deuteronomy tells us.
So who was or who is Melchizedek? Let's allow the scripture to interpret itself. The Bible in Psalms chapter well, both in Psalms and Hebrews tells us much more about this mysterious priest of God that appears to Abram. Let me say up front that I don't think that Melchizedek is just a type or a representation of Christ in the Old Testament. I believe that Melchizedek is a theophany, an Old Testament appearance of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament, and as we read the scriptures, the scripture references in Hebrews, I think you will probably come to agree. First of all, speaking by divine inspiration in a Messianic Psalm, King David informs us that Melchizedek is the eternal and preeminent leader of a spiritual order of priest, by saying you are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. And then in Hebrews chapter five and verse ten, he tells us that Jesus was designated by God as his high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Then in Hebrews chapter four and five, the Bible tells us that Jesus is our perfect high priest who lives forever. Well, like Melchizedek. Hebrews chapter six and verse twenty tells us that Jesus has entered into the most holy place within the veil as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. And then moving on in Hebrews chapter seven and verse three, there's a very interesting and informative verse. And let me let me read that verse to you in Hebrews. Ah Hebrews chapter seven and verse three, the Bible says, 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. Well, who is this talking about? It's talking about Melchizedek talking about our Lord Jesus Christ. So let's keep talking. It's a very interesting and informative verse and that describes Melchizedek, but it accurately describes our Lord Jesus Christ as well. He was the earthly child of a heavenly father, and the heavenly child of an earthly mother mother. When Jesus was born he was older than his mother and as old as his heavenly father. He was born of a virgin that we might be born again. He came to earth so we might go to heaven. He was made the Son of Man so that you and I could be made the sons of God. It is readily apparent that Jesus was Jesus' qualifications for priesthood came not from his lineage, but from the power of an indestructible life, which mirrors Melchizedek's scriptural description as having no beginning or end. Also because Melchizedek remains a priest perpetually, in like manner our Lord Jesus Christ who continues forever, lives forever, holds his priesthood permanently, and therefore Hebrews chapter seven verse twenty five tells us that Christ is able to save forever those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Is that not like Melchizedek? Is Melchizedek not like our Lord Jesus Christ? You see the two are interchangeable. So is Melchizedek a type, a picture, a representative of our Lord Jesus Christ, or is he a theophany, an actual appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament, just as he appeared in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
To be honest, Ariadite biblical scholars debate this topic for centuries. Even today they debate this issue. Personally, I think it was a theophany, an actual appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ to Abram. But I'm not going to break fellowship with a Christian brother who believes differently. You should study this, study the word for yourself. But don't come to theological fisticuffs over this issue with a Christian brother. Remember on the fundamental doctrinal issues we always practice unity. On peripheral issues we practice liberty, and in all things we practice charity. Well, you're listening to devotions with doctor Papa. If you like what you hear, I pray that you'd follow, like, share, tell your friends and neighbors. We'll be back again next week where we'll pick up in Genesis chapter fifteen. Till then, remember Jesus loves you and your doctor loves you. And until next week, I pray that the Lord will bless you real good.
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Thank you for listening to this edition of More Than Medicine. For more information about the Jackson Family Medicine or to schedule a speaking engagement, go to their Facebook page, Instagram, or webpage at Jackson Family Medistry dot com.
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