Question: Hey, so i was reading Hebrews and this guys name Melchizedek was mentioned in ch 7. I was just wondering what exactly his role is in this chapter, because the next few verses are focused on him. I know he was some sort of high priest and was mention in Genesis 14 for recieving tithes from abraham, so just wondering who exactly Melchizedek is.

Answer:  You Gotta Love Melchizedek!

By far, one of the most myserious figures in all of the Bible has to be Melchizedek.  We hardly know anything about him; in fact Hebrews 7 tells how little we know about him by telling us that the Bible never let us know aobut his parents or family backgroud -- he just appeared out of nowhere.

Here's why he is focused on in chapter 7 and here's why he so important - Because he is both priest and king. 

The name Melchizedek is actually two Hebrew words put together: Melech, meaning king; and Tsedek, meaning righteousness.  From Genesis 14:18 we see that he was the "King of Salem," (Salem, meaning peace).  Now, let's put a few pieces of what we know together...

Melchizedek actually means King of Righteousness and he is called the King of Peace in Genesis.  So he is the King of Peace and Righteousness.  Hmmm, interesting. 

Not only is he king, but Genesis 14:18 also says that he was "the priest of God."  And what did this priest of God have when he meant Abraham? -- Bread and Wine.  Hmm, interesting.

Melchizedek is a type of Christ.  It is important to note that he was not the pre-incarnate Christ, but rather just a picture of the Messiah to come.  The symbols here are overwhelming.  This king is the king of righteousness and peace and he also happens to be a priest bringing bread and wine. 

So, to finally answer your question of why he is emphasized in Hebrews: Chapter 7 tells of how Christ came in the order of Melchizedek but was greater than he because he brought all to fulfillment or completion. 

That's why it is said of Christ in Hebrews 7:17: "You are a Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."

In Christ,

Pastor Frank

Question: How come bad things happen to Christians but ungodly people are blessed. I'm curious about a biblical view of this question.

Answer: Great Question! 

Habakkuk asked this very same question in the very first chapter and the very first verses of his writings:

"O Lord how long shall I cry, and you will not hear?  Even cry out to You, "Violence!" and you will not save.  Why do you show me iniquity and cause me to see trouble?...For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore pervese judgment proceeds" (Hab. 1:2-4).

Habakkuk wanted to know the same thing because all he saw was the righteous being persecuted by the ungodly; all he saw was blessings for the bad and harships for the good and he wanted to know why...And God answered him directly.

God's answer may not seem like the best answer but it is.  Here is what God said in reply to Habakkuk's question:

"Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by faith."

Here's what God meant: The ungodly put their faith in the things that they could see.  So for instance, if an unbeliever today had cars, money, clothes, houses, and all sorts of cool stuff then he/she will put their faith in those things that they can see, but those things still won't help the problem with their soul -- it's not upright with God.  For "what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?"

But what about the believer who obeys God and goes through hardships?  Why does that happen??  Hebrews 11:1 tells us what faith really is, because remember that God, when answering Habakkuk, said that the just shall live by faith.  So we need to know what faith really is.  Here's what Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  Verse six of the same chapter goes on to say, "For without faith it is impossible to please God."

So, let's put it all together: Whenever the ungodly experience blessings they put their faith in those things because it is what they can experience with their five senses.  This does not please God because it's not true faith.  When the believer, on the other hand, experiences hard times he/she is pressed hard to put more faith in God, which ultimately pleases God. 

I wonder then which is better?  A life filled with great things that cause people to put their faith in those things or a life of hardship that causes people to put their faith in God? 

And there's your answer,

Pastor Frank

Who is the The Prophet mentioned in John 1:21 and Deu 18:15?

Answer coming soon.