Exemplary Words

Gen. 14:19, 22 "And he (Melchizedek) blessed him (Abram) and said: 'Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth';...But Abram said to the king of Sodom, 'I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth...'"

I think it is pretty cool how God shows us examples of people who set examples. There was a big deal war going on between (get this name) Chedorlaomer the king of Elam and three other kings against the king of Sodom and four other kings. During this war, Chedorlaomer and his guys grabbed Lot who was living in Sodom, and all of his possessions and took him captive. Uncle Abram got word of it and decided to do something about it. So, he ordered his servants to pursue these rotten guys and rescue Lot and all who were with him. When Abram got back something unusual happened. A king who was not involved in the war brought him some bread and wine. This king was the king of Salem and his name was Melchizedek. Now we don't know much about Melchizedek. There is no genealogy listed for him. All we know is that he was king of Salem and the high priest of "God most high" v18.

Now this idea of the high priest of God most high intrigues me because the system of sacrifices and offerings and the hierarchy of the High Priest and priests who serve the nation of Israel had not been established yet. This doesn't happen until the time of Moses, yet here is something where Melchizedek is called the high priest of God. Not only that, but Melchizedek takes the liberty to bless Abram and later we see that Abram gave him a tenth of all he had v20. Who was this guy? Hebrews 7 outlines that he was an example of what Jesus was like.

Not only that, but he was an example to Abram of what his life was to be like. Look at what he said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth." When he blessed Abram he told him what God was like. He is the Most High God. He is above any other God. He far exceeds anything that that society or this society can establish as having control over our lives. He is the highest, most awesome Deity that anyone will ever encounter. He is God and God alone. There is nothing or no one else who can compare to Him. He is God Most High.

Not only that, but He is the Possessor of heaven and earth. He originated heaven and earth, He created heaven and earth and He owns all of heaven and all of earth. All of the things that men are exploring now with the Hubbell telescope, all of the things that men are trying to find out about in outer space, all of the things that we see and experience on this earth…God owns it all…and Melchizedek wanted to get this across to Abram.

Apparently it stuck because look at what Abram said to the king of Sodom, the guy who was the ruler where Lot lived. "I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth." Abram echoed the words that Melchizedek gave him. Melchizedek set the example and Abram followed.

I wonder what kind of example I am setting? I wonder if the words that I speak are worth repeating? Melchizedek's words sunk in deep into Abram's mind and he echoed them later to another king. I wonder if that would ever happen with me? I think the only time it may happen is when I do what Melchizedek did…brought glory to the God who owns it all.

Let's face it. Most of the time our words are pretty empty. We say a lot but in the scheme of things, those words will not remain. But, when we exalt the God Most High, those words stick. Those words can be repeated. And when we repeat God's eternal word and speak these words into the lives of people, they will last forever.

God, help me to say things and do things that exemplify You so that others can see the God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth.