Melchizedek's Name (Heb. 7:2)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 03-12-03

 

                                                                                                           

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  More About Melchizedek

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                 Reference:  Hebrews 7:2

 

             Message of the verse:  “to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.”  (NASB)  “Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had won in the battle and gave it to Melchizedek.  His name means “king of justice.”  He is also “king of peace” because Salem means “peace.”  (NLT)

            There is a lot in a name of many people in the Bible.  God changed Jacob’s name to Israel in Genesis 32: 24-32 and Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter in John 1:42.  God also changed the names of Abram and his wife.  This verse gives the meaning of Melchizedek’s name and the meaning of the city that he was king over.  His name means “king of righteousness,” and he was king of Salem, which means peace.  Peace and righteous came together and the Bible speaks of the two being together in different places.  Isaiah 32:17, “And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.”  Psalm 85:10, “Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”  You can only experience true peace if you have righteousness.  Romans 5:1, “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” and the word justified means “declared righteous.”

 

            .  Spiritual meaning for my life today:  As I look at the name of Melchizedek and understand its meaning I see the Lord Jesus Christ for He is the One who has given me peace through the blood of the cross because of His work on the cross He can declare me righteous through justification.  This is a wonderful picture of my Savior and His atoning work on the cross for me.  Because He saved me I belong to Him and owe my all to Him each and every day of my life.

 

The Word of God was refreshing to me today as I read it.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Because I am declared righteous by the atoning work of Christ on the cross I want to live that way, to trust the Lord to give me the strength to live that way.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Psalm 40:1-4

 

1.      I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.

2.      He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.

3.      And He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear, And will trust in the LORD.

 

4.      How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.