The study of Christ’s appearances (Christophanies) in the
Hebrew Scriptures (OT) is a faith builder. They demonstrate the intricate
design of the Bible as the one unified plan of God.
For example, Abraham had a mysterious and perhaps
supernatural encounter with a priest named Melchizedek, whose name means " King of Righteousness."
Supernatural? Abraham had been having a discussion with the
King of Sodom, and it seems to have been interrupted by the appearance of
Melchizedek, who then disappeared without any indication that the King of Sodom
had been aware of his coming or going.
Melchizedek is also described as the “priest of the Most
High God” and the “King of Salem,” meaning "peace," in Hebrew.
·
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of
the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and
blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is
first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king
of Salem, that is, king of peace. He is without father or mother or
genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the
Son of God he continues a priest forever. (Hebrews 7:1–3)
If “Melchizedek” is more than a name
but also his description – “" King of Righteousness," then
perhaps also his designation as the “King of Salem,” meaning “peace” is also a
description of his identity. Stated another way:
“Melchizedek” = " King of Righteousness"
“King of Salem” = “King of Peace”
Perhaps then Melchizedek wasn’t an actual king, but as written,
“a priest forever.” Instead, “peace” is reminiscent of one of the descriptions
of the Messiah:
·
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah
9:6)
Could Melchizedek be a Christophany? Abraham recognized His
authority and gave tithes to Him (Genesis 14:20; see also Psalm 110).
Melchizedek seems to be more than human. We are told that he had no parents:
·
He is without father or mother or genealogy,
having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God
he continues a priest forever. (Hebrews 7:3)
Only God has no parents or beginning and end. Therefore, Melchizedek
must have been a Christophany – an appearance of Jesus. Judging from Abraham’s
subsequent actions, this encounter seems to have been transformative for the
patriarch. He gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything he had won when he rescued
Lot. Why? Perhaps it was because Melchizedek had convincingly revealed to him
that his victory over the marauders had been a gift from God:
·
After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer
and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the
Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem
brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed
him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and
earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (Genesis 14:17-20)
Right after this, the often cowardly Abraham (Genesis 20:13),
based on the revelation he received from Melchizedek, confidently declared to
the King of Sodom that he would take none of the plunder that had been won.
Why? Perhaps, Abraham had been convinced about the Personhood of the Priest
Melchizedek.
Hebrews even gives us a hint that the Priesthood of
Melchizedek could bring perfection:
·
Now if perfection had been attainable through
the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what
further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order
of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? (Hebrews 7:11)
Only God can bring perfection. Why then do some doubt that
Melchizedek is an appearance of Jesus? The answer is based upon a single word –
“another.” They argue that Jesus is another and not Melchizedek:
·
This becomes even more evident when another
priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on
the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of
an indestructible life. (Hebrews 7:15–16)
Is Melchizedek is distinct from Jesus or Another? Both
are described here as having “an indestructible life.” Both them must be God
and still functioning as king and priest. To avoid the idea of a fourth Person
of the Trinity, it is far more consistent with the Scriptures to regard
Melchizedek as a Christophany, as another appearance
of Jesus.
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