Choice 3: Genesis 14:18-20; JST, Genesis 14:25-40. Who was
Melchizedek?
Melchizedek was a man of faith and
was very righteous. Melchizedek is often
thought to be Shem, Noah’s son.
Melchizedek’s name is a title that means “king of righteousness”. As a child he feared God. He was ordained a high priest after the order
of the covenant which God made with Enoch.
Melchizedek lived in Salem and established righteousness there. His people were wicked but he was able to
call them to repentance. He was known as
the King of heaven by his people or in other words the King of peace because he
had established peace in the land of Salem.
There were many kings before and after Melchizedek but none was better
than he. There was no greater High
Priest than he. Melchizedek knew
Abram. Abraham received the Priesthood
from Melchizedek, who received it from the lineage of his fathers. Abram paid tithing to Melchizedek. In turn Abram was blessed with riches, and
honor, and lands.
The
reason we call the first Priesthood the Melchizedek Priesthood is because
Melchizedek was such a great high priest.
Out of respect and reverence to the name of Jesus Christ instead of
being called the Holy Priesthood, the Priesthood was called after
Melchizedek.
