“Bless You; Praise God!”

“Bless You; Praise God!”(Gen.14:17-20).
This text contains the seed of the “just war theory.” Others may see in it also the seeds of Holy Communion and tithing. Melchizedek king of (Jeru)Salem doubled as priest of God Most High(a title of the chief Canaanute God). In ancient times, it was normal for kings to double as priests.
The bread and wine that Melchizedek brought to welcome Abram had nothing to do with communion. He brought it as king, not as priest. The food and drink was a political recognition of Abram as a military commander whose alliance could be sought in later days.
However, Melchizedek blessed Abram and praised God Most High in his priestly role.
Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of the spoils of war; not as a later day tithe, but as the normal share due to a king from the spoils of war.
Recognising Abram as a warlord to be relied upon and asking God for blessing on Abram and praising God for Abram’s victory introduces us to the just war theory which we cannot ignore in this present times regarding Israel, America and Iran.
The Bible sometimes glorifies war, but is war relevant to human existence? Abram’s war on Kedorlaomer and his allies was a just war for Abram because it was to rescue Lot and the other captives. In this case Abram deserved the blessing of the priest and God deserved the praise for giving him victory.
When the cause is just, God blesses. Also, kindness begets kindness. For the bread and wine that Melchizedek served to Abram, in return, Abram gave him a tenth of the spoils of war.
Melchizedek may be a legendary king as he fades into oblivion until the writer of the letter to the Hebrews reintroduced him as a prefiguration of Jesus. Jesus comes not in the Levitical order of priests. Jesus came in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron(Heb.7:11). This is to say Melchizedek was the right person to bless Abram, and Abram was inspired to recognise him as a priest of the LORD.
Prayer of the day and week: Dear LORD, be with those who fight just battles and send their Melchizedeks to bless them. Amen!
Welcome back to a new working day and week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
02/03/2026.