http://gospeltranslations.org/w/index.php?title=For_the_Love_of_God,_Volume_1/January_13&feed=atom&action=historyFor the Love of God, Volume 1/January 13 - Revision history2024-03-28T19:54:59ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.16alphahttp://gospeltranslations.org/w/index.php?title=For_the_Love_of_God,_Volume_1/January_13&diff=19590&oldid=prevJoyaTeemer: Protected "For the Love of God, Volume 1/January 13" ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite))2010-06-24T20:06:59Z<p>Protected "<a href="/wiki/For_the_Love_of_God,_Volume_1/January_13" title="For the Love of God, Volume 1/January 13">For the Love of God, Volume 1/January 13</a>" ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite))</p>
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</table>JoyaTeemerhttp://gospeltranslations.org/w/index.php?title=For_the_Love_of_God,_Volume_1/January_13&diff=19581&oldid=prevJoyaTeemer: Created page with '{{info}} ====JANUARY 13==== ''Genesis 14; Matthew 13;'' Nehemiah 3; Acts 13 IF ONE WERE TO READ through the book of Genesis without knowing the content of any other book of th...'2010-06-24T19:59:14Z<p>Created page with '{{info}} ====JANUARY 13==== ''Genesis 14; Matthew 13;'' Nehemiah 3; Acts 13 IF ONE WERE TO READ through the book of Genesis without knowing the content of any other book of th...'</p>
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====JANUARY 13====<br />
<br />
''Genesis 14; Matthew 13;'' Nehemiah 3; Acts 13<br />
<br />
IF ONE WERE TO READ through the book of Genesis without knowing the content<br />
of any other book of the Bible, one of the most enigmatic sections would certainly<br />
be these few verses about Melchizedek ('''Gen. 14:18-20'''). After all, how does he<br />
contribute in any substantial way to the plotline of the book?<br />
<br />
His presence is precipitated by the decision (recorded in Gen. 13) of Abram<br />
and Lot to separate in order to stop the wrangling that was breaking out between<br />
their respective herdsmen. Lot opts for the plains of Sodom and Gomorrah. That<br />
means he and his family and wealth are taken captive when Kedorlaomer and the<br />
petty kings aligned with him attack the twin towns and escape with considerable<br />
plunder. Abram and his sizable number of fighting men go after the attackers. The<br />
skirmish ends in the release of Lot and his family, and the restoration of the people<br />
and goods that had been carried off. In the verses that follow, Abram refuses<br />
to accept any reward from the king of Sodom, a city already proverbial for wickedness,<br />
but he gladly accepts the blessing of the king of Salem (which possibly<br />
equals Jerusalem?) and in return pays him an honorific tithe.<br />
<br />
Historically, Melchizedek (his name means “king of righteousness”) appears<br />
to be the king of the city-state of Salem (a name meaning “peace” or “well-being”).<br />
He functions not only as Salem’s king, but as “priest of God Most High” (14:18).<br />
Indeed, it is in the name of God Most High that he blesses Abram. And Abram so<br />
respects him, apparently knowing him from previous dealings, that he honors him<br />
in return.<br />
<br />
We need not think that Abram was the only person on earth who retained<br />
knowledge of the living God. Melchizedek was another, and Abram finds in him<br />
a kindred spirit. In a book that provides the exact genealogy of virtually everyone<br />
who is important to the storyline, rather strikingly Melchizedek simply appears<br />
and disappears—we are told neither who his parents were nor when and how he<br />
died. He and his city are a foil to Sodom and its king. Once again, there are two<br />
cities: the city of God and the city of man (as Augustine would label them).<br />
<br />
Melchizedek is mentioned in only two other places in the Bible. The first is<br />
Psalm 110 (see meditation for June 17); the other is Hebrews, where the writer<br />
recognizes that the inclusion of Melchizedek in the plotline of Genesis is no accident,<br />
but a symbol-laden event with extraordinary significance (especially Heb.<br />
7). God is preparing the way for the ultimate priest-king, not only in verbal<br />
prophecies but in models (or ''types'') that provide the categories and shape the<br />
expectations of the people of God.</div>JoyaTeemer