Hebrews 7:7

Hebrews 7:7

Roots and shoots

There is an old saying that declares that the Old Testament of the Bible is the “roots” and the New Testament is the “shoots” of God’s Word!  Everything we need to know about our faith is already planted in the Old Testament Scriptures. They present to us, before He even came, a profound and detailed description of the Messiah and His role on earth. The Gospels then relate the unfolding story of His birth, His life, His death and His resurrection. None of this would make sense if we did not have the “roots.” 

The above logic can be applied to our understanding of the meeting of Melchizedek and Abraham. One represents the Lord and the heavenly realms, the other represents man and what it takes to live a godly life on earth. It is inevitable therefore that the godly figure is the greater in this encounter and He is able to bless the human being who acknowledges His superiority. 

A blessing is far more than just a quick prayer for safety and good things in life, it is the transfer of God’s favour, His protection and His power to grant life. Blessing in Scripture has very little to do with earthly benefits, it has to do with a connection to heaven, an awareness that God is with us and empowering us and guarding us and protecting us. What Melchizedek did for Abraham was to extend to Him the promise of God’s approval, that the Lord would be with him and help him at all times. There is no way that Abraham could return that blessing, he did not have the means or the authority to do so. That God has blessed us is beyond question, the offering of His Son and the outpouring of His Holy Spirit transcends all that Abraham was given and yet we can be guilty of treating these blessings so lightly! Melchizedek’s blessing of Abraham would change the course of human history, that was the roots, we are the shoots! Hallelujah!

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