Giving: The Divine Plan

The Generosity of Abraham

The Lesser Is Blessed By The Better

Sunday October 27, 2024 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui

Genesis 14:1-24

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand. And he gave him a tithe of all - Genesis 14:18-20

Now consider how great this man was...-Hebrews 7:4

Let's consider "HOW GREAT THIS MAN WAS"

1. For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God...Hebrews 7:1
2. To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace" -Hebrews 7:2
3. Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually- Hebrews 7:3

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him... Vs18-19

Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better Hebrews 7:7

Lesser Is Blessed By The Better

• 1. The Lesser and the Greater: A Spiritual Hierarchy

  "Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives." (Jesus Lives Forever) Hebrews 7:8

• 2. Jesus as the Ultimate "Better"

  By so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant (Jesus gives eternal life)- Hebrews 7:22.

• 3. Humility Precedes Blessing

  And he blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand (Abraham humbly accepted the blessing from Melchizedek)-Genesis 14:19-20

• 4. Living as the Blessed

  Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich (God Possessor of heaven and earth blessed Abraham)-Genesis 22-23

Summary: Melchizedek demonstrates the superiority of Christ's priesthood over the Levitical priesthood. Abraham, the revered patriarch, gave tithes to Melchizedek, showing that Melchizedek's priesthood was greater than that of the Levites. The eternal nature of Melchizedek's priesthood serves as a foreshadowing of the eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ.

Question: How can we demonstrate our gratitude and trust in God's provision today? What areas of our lives can we dedicate as an offering to God, much like Abraham offered a portion of his wealth?