Genesis 14

Genesis 14:18

Who this Melchizedec was, this priest of God among the Canaanites, greater than Abram the friend of God, who were his parents or his successors, is on purpose concealed by the Holy Ghost. And hence he is without father or mother, predecessor or successor, in historical account, in order that he might typify the incomprehensible dignity, the amazing pedigree and unchangeable duration, of Jesus Christ our great high priest. Heb. vi

Genesis 14:20

“Jesus was made an high priest after the order of Melchizedec.” And v. 6, 10. Psal. cx. 4, Heb. vii. 1-24. “For this Melchizedec, king of Salem, and priest of E " the most high God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, " and blessed him; to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all the spoil; first " being Melchizedec, which is, by interpretation, king of righteousness; and " after that also king of Salem, which is king of peace: without father, with- " out mother, mentioned in history, without genealogy, having neither beginning " of days nor end of life, recorded in scripture, but made like unto the Son of " God, who abideth a priest continually.—Consider how great this man was " unto whom even Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils—and who blessed " him that had the promises. And, without all contradiction, the less is blessed " of the greater.—Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham.—After " the sim litude of Melchizedec there ariseth another priest, even Jesus, who is " made not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of " an endless life—and, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable " priesthood.” Ver

Genesis 14:22

In matters of importance, it is sometimes necessary to interpose an oath for the confirmation of our assertions or engagements; Heb. vi. 13—17. ch. xxi. 31. xxvi. 31. and xxxi. 53. 1 Kings viii. 31. 2 Chron. vi. 22. &c. All oaths are to be sworn by God alone, and import a taking of him to witness the truth of what we declare or engage, and calling him to avenge himself upon us if we utter falsehood, or neglect to perform our engagement; ch. xxxi. 53. Deut. vi. 13. and x. 20. Is. xlv. 23. and lxv. 16. Jer. xii. 16. Psa. lxiii. 11. Heb. vi. 13—17.—In some cases, the putting of the hand of the inferior under the thigh of his superior was the declaratory sign used in swearing; ch. xxiv. 9. and xlvii. 29; but lifting up of the hand was the common sign; Exod. xvii. 16. Deut. xxxii. 40. Dan. xii. 7. Rev. x. 5, 6

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XIV.—How dreadful is the curse of God! After four hundred years respite, it breaks forth upon the sinners of Sodom, and the places about.—From what distant quarters does God bring the executioners of it!—How short-lived is that pleasure or quiet, which saints attempt to procure by unnecessary connections with wicked men!—How becoming and Godlike to forget the injuries which we have received; and to risk, or even to lay down, our lives for the brethren! What honour—what comfort—what blessings —attend such a conduct!—But in this Melchizedec, king of Salem, and priest of the Most High God, let me behold Him who is a priest for ever—Jesus without father as man; without mother as God:—the Lord from heaven! He is King of Righteousness.—In his obedience and suffering he made reconciflation for iniquity, and brought in an everlasting righteousness: in righteousness he rules his subjects, and causes them to work righteousness. He is King of Peace.—By his blood he purchased our peace with God, with our conscience, and with one another: in his intercession he pleads for it; and by his word and spirit he effects it. He is our incomparable High Priest, who received not his 6 office from any creature, nor leaves it to another. In and by him we are blessed of God with all spiritual and everlasting blessings: and with his bread and wine, presented in the gospel, his flesh, which is meat indeed, and his blood, which is drink indeed, he refresheth our souls, while we are engaged in and after our warfare with sin, Satan, the world, and death. And to him is due, from every minister and saint, the voluntary tithes of everlasting praise