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Melchizedek blesses Abram

Genesis 14:18-19

Then Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,
and he blessed Abram, saying, Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.

Full bible text

​Genesis 14 verse 18 to 20
18 Then Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,
19 and he blessed Abram, saying: "Blessed be Abram by God Most High. Blesses Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And praise be to God Most High, Who delivered your enemies into your hand."
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

About this painting

In Gen 14 Abram’s nephew Lot is deported from Sodom, where he lived, due to a battle in which Sodom was involved. Abram undertook a campaign to liberate Lot, his family and possessions, and succeeded. When he returned, Melchizedek, king of Salem, approached him and offered bread and wine. Melchizedek means ‘king of righteousness’. Salem (it means: peace), was later called Jerusalem. Melchizedek was both king and priest.
As a priest he blessed Abram, Abram then gave him one tenth of what he had gained in the battle. In so doing he honoured the priesthood of Melchizedek.

This story from the Old Testament points toward Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who combined being a (High)- Priest, Prophet and King in One Person.
He made the ultimate sacrifice by giving Himself, His blood, for the atonement between God and man.
Bread and wine, consumed at the Lord’s Supper, remind us of this sacrifice. 

Isaiah 9 verse 6:
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 be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

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