“…and to him, Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.”

There is significance in what Abraham did with the spoils of the war with the other kings. The superior never pays tithes to the inferior. This very act by Abraham, who is the father of the Hebrew Nation, indicates the superiority of Melchizedek over Abraham and thus by implication the Hebrews.

The phrase, “king of righteousness,” is in the genitive case, which makes it attributive in meaning. Thus his name means Righteous King. Now we have already been told that Jesus is a righteous king. He was crowned such because he loved righteousness and hated evil disobedience. This Melchizedek (Righteous King) points to Jesus, who is superior to him. This helps us see the chain of superiority. Jesus is greater than Melchizedek, and Melchizedek is greater than Abraham, which makes him greater than the Levitical priesthood.

Melchizedek was also known as King of Peace. To be king of righteousness and king of peace falls in line with the work of Jesus, who brings peace between men and between man and God. Psalm 72 is a psalm about the messiah king. In verse 7, the psalmist speaks of the work of this messiah. “In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more.” Isaiah 9:6 speaks of the reign in the David line as the Prince of Peace. So all of this points to the Son of David, the messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. Melchizedek paves the way and establishes the right of Jesus to be both king and priest.

Task for Today: Accept Jesus as your king and priest. He brings both peace with God and the righteousness of God. Accept His sacrifice as your priest. Kneel at His feet as your sovereign king.