The Everlasting Covenant

Abraham and Melchizedek

The brief story of Melchizedek forms a link which unites us and our times most closely with Abraham and his times, and shows that the “Christian dispensation,” so called, existed in the days of Abraham as well as now. EVCO 60.3

The fourteenth chapter of Genesis tells us all that we know of Melchizedek. The seventh chapter of Hebrews repeats the story, and makes some comments upon it. Besides this we have references to Melchizedek in the sixth chapter, and in Psalm 110:4. EVCO 60.4

The story is this: Abraham was returning from an expedition against the enemies that had carried away Lot, when Melchizedek met him, bringing bread and wine. Melchizedek was king of Salem, and priest of the Most High God. In this capacity he blessed Abraham, and to him Abraham gave a tenth part of the spoil which he had recovered. That is the story, but from it there are some very important lessons drawn. EVCO 60.5

In the first place we learn that Melchizedek was a greater man than Abraham, because, “without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.” ¹ and because Abraham gave him the tenth part of all. EVCO 61.1