03/22/2022 – Day 023 – Genesis 12 – 15 – Melchizidek’s Blessing / The Abrahamic Covenant – God’s purposes concerning Abram’s seed.
Chapter 14: 17 – 24 – Melchizedek’s Blessing
Who is this Melchizedek, king of Sodom? I submit it may very well have been Yeshua (Jesus), Son of God, himself. Matthew Henry points out: “It is difficult to imagine that any mere man should be said to be without father, without mother, and without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life.” (Reference Hebrews 7:3) The Alpha and the Omega no less! From that, I don’t know why Matthew even bother to mention two other possibilities: “(1) Rabbinical writers conclude that Melchizedek was Shem, the son of Noah. But why should his name be changed? And how came he to settle in Canann? … (3) The commonly received opinion is that Melchizedek was a Canaanitish Prince, that reigned in Slem , and kept up the true religion there; but if so, why should his name occur here only in all the story of Abram?”
And, indeed, so appropriate that “Abram gave Melchizedek tithes of all, that is the spoils, Hebrews 7:4. This may be looked upon 1. As a gratuity presented to Melchizedek, by way of return for his tokens of respect. 2. As an offering vowed and dedicated to he most high God, and therefore put into the hands of Melchizedek his priest. (1) When we have received some signal mercy from God, it is very fit that we should express our thankfulness by some special act of pious charity. (2) That the tenth of our increase is a fit proportion to be set apart for the honour of God and the service of his sanctuary. (3) That Jesus Christ, our gret Melchizedek, is to have homage done him, and to be humbly acknowledged by every one of us as our king and priest; and not only the tithe of all, but all we have, must be surrendered and given up to him.” (* Matthew Henry Commentary – page 29)
In progress – Chapter 15 – The Abrahamic Covenant
Matthew Henry’s commentary is power packed rich in verses 12 through 15:
“A full and particular discovery made to Abrah of God’s purposes concerning his seed.
I. The time when God came to him with this discovery: When the sun was going down, or declining, about the time of the evening oblation. God often keeps him people long in expectation of the comforts he designs them, for the confirmation of their faith; but through the answers of prayer, and the performance of promises, come slowly, yet they come surely.
II. The preparatives for this discovery. 1. A deep sleep fell upon Abram, not a common sleep through weariness or carelessness, but a divine ecstasy. The doors of the body were locked up, that the soul might be private and retired, and might act more freely. 2. With this sleep, a horror of great darkness fell upon him. This great darkness, which brought horror with it, was designed, (1) To strike an awe upon the spirit of Abram, and to possess him with an holy reverence. Holy fear prepares the soul for holy joy; the spirit of bondage makes way for the spirit of adoption. (2) To be a specimen of the methods of God’s dealings with his seed. They must first be in the horror and darkness of Egyptian slavery, and then enter with joy into the good land.
III. The prediction itself. Several things are here foretold.
- The suffering state of Abram’s seed for a long time, v. 13. He must know that the promised seed should be a persecuted seed. Now we have here,
(1) The particulars of their sufferings. [1} They shall be strangers. Thus the heirs of heaven are first strangers on earth. [2] They shall be servants. The Canaanites serve under a curse, the Hebrews under a blessing. [3] They shall be sufferers. Those whom they serve shall afflict them, see Exodus 1:11.
(2) The continuance of their suffering — four hundred years. This was a long time, but a limited time.
2. The judgment of the enemies of Abram’s seed: That nation whom they shall serve , even the Egyptians, will I judge, v. 14. Through God may suffer persecutors and oppressors to trample upon his people a great while, yet he will certainly reckon with them at last; for his day is coming, Psalm 37: 12, 13.
3. The deliverance of Abram’s seed out of Egypt. That great event is here foretold: afterwards shall they come out with great substance. It is here promised,
(1) That they should be enlarged. The destruction of oppressors is the redemption of the oppressed.
(2) That they should be enriched. God took care they should have, not only a good land to go, but a good stock to carry with them….”
Soli Deo Gloria!