A Journey Through The Old Testament - Elmer Towns

Melchizedek is described as the priest of El Elyon, God Most High. As with other titles of
Deity in Scripture, this title is a revelation of the nature of God. This name is used to identify
God particularly to polytheistic Gentiles. The idea in this name is that the true God of Israel was
above all other false gods of the Gentiles. By way of implication, this name identifies God as the
“possessor of heaven and earth” (Gen. 14:19, 22). This name is frequently applied to Christ by
demons, perhaps in recognition of the failure of Satan to overthrow El Elyon in his initial
rebellion (cf. Isa. 14:14).
Abram’s meeting with Melchizedek occasioned the first mention of the practice of tithing
in Scripture, and for many embryonically teaches the doctrine of storehouse tithing. In the Old
Testament there was a particular emphasis placed on “the place” (cf. Deut. 12). The tithe was
brought to the “place” which was the tabernacle and later the temple in Jerusalem. This place
was characterized by the presence of the symbols of redemption and the central worship of God.
Also, it was the place where the man of God served. When Abram paid tithes to Melchizedek,
“the priest of God Most High” (Gen. 14:18), the symbols of redemption; i.e., bread and wine,
were present. Also, Melchizedek was king of Salem (Jerusalem) which was “the place” God later
established as the location where God could be worshiped in His temple (cf. Ps. 74:2).
The meeting of Abram and Melchizedek occurred “at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the
King’s Valley)” (Gen. 14:17). The actual location of this valley is thought to be in the area of the
Brook Kidron. At that place Melchizedek blessed Abram, using both a style and words
characteristic of Hebrew poetry. “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and
earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand” (vv. 19-
20). This blessing was the preparation of Abram for his next battle and subsequent renunciation
of the wealth of Sodom. It was a reminder to Abram of his commitment to the Lord and the
fellowship Abram enjoyed with the Lord. The believer’s daily communion with God is the
preparation necessary for the crises which one encounters in the Christian life.
ABRAM AND THE KING OF SODOM
(Gen. 14:17, 21-24)
Melchizedek was not the only king who came to meet Abram in the Valley of Shaveh. He
was also approached by the king of Sodom. This may have been Bera who fled in battle earlier
or a successor to that throne if Bera had been a casualty of the battle. While the Scripture notes
the fleeing of the king of Sodom, his death is not specifically recorded (Gen. 14:10).
Bera’s approach to Abram was intended to result in the formation of an alliance between
the man of faith and the king of Sodom. His name means “gift” and he was willing to make a gift
of the wealth of Sodom in exchange for the return of his people. Such a proposal was typical of
the culture of that time. Under common rules of war, Abram was permitted to retain all the spoils
of war. Also, Abram may have been able to justify keeping both the captives and wealth of
Sodom by claiming they were a fulfillment of the Lord’s earlier promise (cf. 13:17). However, to
form a pact of this nature would have involved an allegiance that recognized the king of Sodom
as authoritative over at least some part of the land of Palestine. Because Abram had sworn
allegiance to Jehovah El Elyon, he necessarily had to withdraw from any opportunity that would
have compromised his earlier commitment.
Abram explained, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of
heaven and earth” (14:22). The Hebrew expression harimothi yadi, literally translated “I have
lifted my hand,” conveys the idea of raising one’s hand in surrender and hence the idea of taking
an oath of allegiance. In essence Abram was saying, “I have already pledged allegiance to