Who was Melchizedek?
That is usually the first question people ask when they come to Genesis 14. Was he simply a historical priest-king? A pre-incarnate appearance of Christ? Something else entirely?
But maybe that is not the most important question.
Melchizedek appears at a crucial moment in Abraham’s life. God had already given Abraham the promise, yet Abraham was living in circumstances that did not always look like the promise was coming true.
Then Melchizedek arrives.
He blesses Abraham and brings bread and wine. He does not give Abraham a new promise. He confirms the one God had already spoken.
And that may be the point we are most tempted to miss: faith is not always strengthened by receiving something new. Often, it is strengthened by being brought back to what God has already said.
Melchizedek ultimately points beyond himself to Christ, the true Priest-King, in whom the promises of God are certain.
