Gen 14:20 - Sharing out the winnings (The marvellous, mysterious Melchizedek part 2)

Gen 14:20 "blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!"

And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (ESV)

Abram has just rescued his nephew Lot and got rich in the process. When a priest/king called Melchizedek comes out to meet him with bread and wine. This is said to take place in "The valley of Shaveh (that is the king's valley)" v17. It is probably close to Jerusalem (2 Sam 18:18). It could have been the flattish area north of Jerusalem but most people say it's the valley west of the city of David in Jerusalem (Genesis Bruce K Waltke page 233).

Melchizedek blesses Abram and then Abram gives him a tenth of all the spoils. Actually the Hebrew text does not specify whether Abram gave to Mel or Mel to Abram but most take it to be the former, especially in light of Heb 7:6  "But this man (Mel) who does not have his descent from them (the Levi's) received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises (Abram)". (ESV). So then  why did Abram give Melchizedek some of his hard earned treasure?

It's because Melchizedek is acting as in intermediary between Abram and God. This priestly function is seen when he blesses Abram with the words "Blessed be Abram by God most High". Melchizedek is blessing Abram on behalf of God. He also blesses God as the one who has given Abram victory over his enemies. Abram wants to express his thanks and devotion to God for his success so naturally he gives to Melchizedek, seeing him as God's representative.

Of course all this points towards Jesus, who was a priest in the order of Melchizedek. He supremely bridged the gap between God and man, being in nature himself both God and man. Through Jesus a blessing is pronounced on us. In surely one of the best opening lines of any letter ever written Paul's says to the  Ephesian church:  

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (ESV) " Ephesians 1:3

Something about that reminds me of of Mel's blessing in Gen 14:19-20.

Was Melchizedek actually a pre-incarnate Jesus? Some think so. The letter to the Hebrews gives some strong links: "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. (ESV) Heb 7:2. "King of righteousness" sounds like a good name for Jesus and if Shalom is Jerusalem (see Ps 76:2) then "King of Jerusalem" also sounds a like a fitting title for him as does "King of peace". These thing's aren't really deal breakers though. Moving on to the next verse, Mel is said to be "without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever" (ESV) Heb 7:3 which does add the mystery somewhat. However it could be that this just means his presthood is not by virtue of his parents, nor limited to a certain period of his life (Num 4:3ff, Num 8:24-25). Also, in this verse, Mel is said to resemble the son of God rather than actually be the son of God so it's hard to make a strong case that the two people are one and the same. Anyway, I'm not sure what would be gained by that discovery anyway so I want to move onto something more certain.   

Not only is Jesus a priest but I am too! Not the sort with special robes and incense, but a mediator between God and man. In fact all Christians are, Peter says so:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (ESV) 1 Peter 2:9 

Peter is  applying an OT promise from  Ex 19:6 to the new covenant people of God. The book of Revelation revels in this truth too! (Rev 5:10, Rev 1:6, Rev 20:6). The church has a mediatory role holding out the gospel to the world. We do that by proclaiming the praises of him who saved us. The gospel is a proclamation that praises God! It brings such glory to him when we tell of his shear grace and kindness in giving up his son, so that we, you, they, could be forgiven and accepted. Praise God!