Read

Hebrews 7:1-7

¹This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against many kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. ²Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had won in the battle and gave it to Melchizedek. His name means “king of justice.” He is also “king of peace” because Salem means “peace.” ³There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors–no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.

⁴Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized how great Melchizedek was by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle. ⁵Now the priests, who are descendants of Levi, are commanded in the law of Moses to collect a tithe from all the people, even though they are their own relatives. ⁶But Melchizedek, who was not even related to Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God. ⁷And without question, the person who has the power to bless is always greater than the person who is blessed.

Reflect

Our reading today gives us an indication that there were others alive during the time of Abraham that worshipped God. Abraham must have known about Melchizedek because after his victory over the four kings who had taken Lot (Abraham’s nephew), Melchizedek brought bread and wine to Abraham and blessed him. This demonstrated friendship and religious kinship. Abraham then gave King Melchizedek ten percent of all that he had won. By this act Abraham indicated that he recognized Melchizedek as a fellow-worshiper of the one true God as well as a priest who ranked higher spiritually than himself. Melchizedek’s existence shows that there were people other than Abraham and his family who served the true God.

Respond

Had you ever considered that there were others during the time of Abraham that worshipped God?

Does giving a tithe show respect and honor to the one receiving the tithe?

When you have been blessed by someone, do you give back as Abraham did?

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