5/7/13 5/7/13

The Old Testament is a Picture Book

There are a minimum of 24 arrows pointing to Christ in the Old Testament. I know because I found them. Most of them are pictures, not just of Christ’s person, but his position and purpose. I graduated from Bible college and didn’t once hear the word “type” or “picture.” For some reason, it’s not commonly taught. I hate to think that means the majority of Christians have just a historical view of the Old Testament. No wonder people have such a hard time reading it.

Today we’re looking at Melchizedek in Genesis 14. He is not only a type of Christ, he likely was the preincarnate Christ, setting up his role as the ultimate High Priest “after the order of Melchizedek.” By the way, this phrase is found seven times in the Bible: Ps. 110:4; Heb 5:6; 5:10; 6:20; 7:11; 7:17; 7:21. Numbers are also significant in the Bible, but that’s a study for another time.

The book of Hebrews, which is written to the Jews, will become important in end times, especially during the tribulation and millennium, when the Jews come to realize they were wrong all along about Jesus. The author of Hebrews, thought to be Paul, thoroughly explained who Melchizedek was in connection with Christ—something the Jews will come to understand.

The key verse below (Gen 14:18) is the first time the word priest is used in the Bible, and it’s in connection with a type of Christ, spoken of before the Levitical law was given. Study with me:

Old Testament

Notes

Gen 14:14-20 And when Abram heard that his brother [ Lot ] was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. (15) And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. (16) And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. (17) And the king of Sodom went out to meet him [ Abram ] after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale. (18) And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. (19) And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: (20) And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he [Abram] gave him [Melchizedek] tithes of all.

Heb 7:1-8 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; (2) 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; (3) 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. (4) Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.[ Gen 14:20 is the first mention of tithes in the Bible ] (5) And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: (6) But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. (7) And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. (8) And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

Jesus also brought forth bread and wine, representing himself and his work on the cross

1Co 11:24-26 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. (25) After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. (26) For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

Many things can be said about Christ as our High Priest, to whom we pay tithes, but here are a few:

Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Heb 4:14-15 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.