Letter to the Hebrews Volume 58

 Jesus Christ is our Forerunner and He Appeared to Abraham as Melchizedek Part 2

Hebrews 7:2-3 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. KJV

As we declared in the very last study/commentary the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ to the Hebrews during the time He was on the earth as the God-Man to die for the sins of the world (John 8:48-58), He told them that Abraham had already seen Him on the earth and that Abraham also understood the day of His (Christ) Incarnation as the God-Man that would happen thousands of years in the future. The Jews/Hebrews who argued with our Lord, Master and Savior Jesus Christ in the discourse of (John 8:48-58) were unbelieving and did not see that God in Human Flesh was standing before them and this is why they could not fathom, that is, come to understand how it would have been possible for this 33 year old Jewish/Hebrew Man (Jesus Christ) who stood before them could have seen Abraham who lived thousands of years earlier on the earth, this is why they considered Him to be crazy or demon possessed instead of the truth being that He was God Incarnate.

Now the the writer of Hebrews declares next how Abraham recognized that the Man Melchizedek who stood before him was no ordinary Man, but instead He was the very God that spoke to Abram (Genesis 12:1) and just as he had obeyed Him then (Genesis 12:4), so does he obey Him now as it is written here by the author of Hebrews with these words, "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;" (Hebrews 7:2) (KJV). The fact that Abraham (who during his time) was never under the rulership of any earthly king and the fact that he fought against many kings during his day was evidence of this being the Pre-incarnate Christ. However, when this Man Melchizedek appeared before him he payed homage, humility, and honor by giving unto Him a percentage (a tenth) of the spoils that were taken from the earthly kings when he defeated them (Genesis 14:17). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of the giving of this tenth or tithe, "It was an ancient custom, among all the nations of the earth, to consecrate a part or tenth of the spoils taken in war to the objects of their worship. Many examples of this kind occur. This however was not according to any provision in law, but merely ad libitum, and as a eucharistic offering to those to whom they imagined they owed the victory. But neither Abraham’s decimation, nor theirs, had any thing to do, either with tithes as prescribed under the Mosaic dispensation, or as claimed under the Christian."

This Man Melchizedek that Abraham met after his great war victory had a name that was interpreted or translated as first 'King of Righteousness' and 'King of Peace'. During that time or period Abraham had conflict, clashing, and a colliding with various kings at the valley of Shaveh, however, after he defeated them all righteousness and peace reined, as it is written, "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever." (Isaiah 32:17) (KJV). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of Hebrews 7:2, "Melchizedek was a King, and so is the Lord Jesus - a King of God's anointing; the government is laid upon His shoulders, and He rules over all for the good of His people. That He was King of righteousness: His name signifies the righteous King. Jesus Christ is a rightful and a righteous King - rightful in His title, righteous in His government. He is the Lord our righteousness; He has fulfilled all righteousness, and brought in an everlasting righteousness, and He loves righteousness and righteous persons, and hates iniquity. He was King of Salem, that is, King of peace; first King of righteousness, and after that King of peace. So is our Lord Jesus; He by His righteousness made peace, the fruit of righteousness is peace. Christ speaks peace, creates peace, is our peace-maker. He was Priest of the Most High God, qualified and anointed in an extraordinary manner to be His Priest among the Gentiles. So is the Lord Jesus; He is the Priest of the Most High God, and the Gentiles must come to God by Him; it is only through His Priesthood that we can obtain reconciliation and remission of sin."

The writer of Hebrews goes on now to secure for me that the Man Melchizedek who appeared to Abraham was indeed the Pre-incarnate Lord Jesus Christ, as he writes these words, "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 7:3) (KJV). The debate, discourse, and disagreement among many Christians of the past and present of who this Man Melchizedek actually was is numerous with some declaring him to be from this or that part of the country at the time or even from a foreign land far from where Abraham was at the time of his defeat of the kings at Shaveh, however, with what we have before us from the writer of Hebrews declaring the Man had no record of a Father or Mother seals for me that the Man was the Pre-incarnate Christ. Abraham was visited by Him (Pre-incarnate Christ) again years after this to reassure Him that a son would be born to he and Sarah by way of natural child birth one year from the time of His visit, even though they were 100 years old (Abraham) and 90 years old (Sarah), read the account in (Genesis 18). Here is what John Wesley said of Hebrews 7:3, "Without father, without mother, without pedigree - Recorded, without any account of his descent from any ancestors of the priestly order. Having neither beginning of days, nor end of life - Mentioned by Moses. But being - In all these respects. Made like the Son of God - Who is really without father, as to His human nature; without mother, as to His divine; and in this also, without pedigree - Neither descended from any ancestors of the priestly order. Remaineth a priest continually - Nothing is recorded of the death or successor of Melchizedek. But Christ alone does really remain without death, and without successor."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…