Speaker 1: Previously on the Chosen People.
Speaker 2: I've traveled far to bring you this news. I fear
Speaker 2: they may be hunting me. Yet it's your nephew Lot
Speaker 2: they've taken him.
Speaker 1: This time. Abram was determined to answer the Corps.
Speaker 3: Three hundred and eighteen against a whole Eastern army led
Speaker 3: by a king who has conquered many nations.
Speaker 2: The Amorites have agreed to join us as well. We
Speaker 2: won't be alone, and you know that my God will.
Speaker 4: Be with me.
Speaker 1: Abram, his three hundred and eighteen men, and the combined
Speaker 1: forces of the Amirates set out and quickly found the
Speaker 1: trail of King Cadelaeoma and his four king alliance. They
Speaker 1: had traveled hundreds of miles from where they started, Abram's
Speaker 1: gods sustaining them and granting them victory after victory. And
Speaker 1: it was there that Abram and his men made their
Speaker 1: last stand. With face caked in blood and sand, Abrams
Speaker 1: screamed with passu, dicing the enemy one by one. Each
Speaker 1: was a barrier to his nephew.
Speaker 5: Abram, you came, you came for us.
Speaker 2: Of course I did.
Speaker 1: Together, Abram and Lott set about aiding the captured women
Speaker 1: another prisoners They also discovered that the gold and silver
Speaker 1: lot lost in the abduction was still there, along with
Speaker 1: riches from other kingdoms the Four king Alliance had plundered.
Speaker 6: What's more, I will bless those who bless you. I
Speaker 6: will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all
Speaker 6: the peoples of earth will be blessed through you.
Speaker 3: Amid the smoke of battle and the spoils of war,
Speaker 3: King name Marchrizedek steps forth a mystery that challenge our
Speaker 3: understanding of the divine shalloh my friends from here in
Speaker 3: the Holy Land. I'm ya LXT with the International Fellowship
Speaker 3: of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People.
Speaker 3: Every day we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible,
Speaker 3: stories filled with timeless lessons on faith, love, and the
Speaker 3: meaning of life. And in Israel's story we find this
Speaker 3: truth that we are all chosen for something great. If
Speaker 3: this podcast has blessed you so far, we would love
Speaker 3: it if you left or review, We want to hear
Speaker 3: how these stories are impacting lives and if you're curious
Speaker 3: about how the Fellowship is uniting Christians and Jews for
Speaker 3: common purpose and bringing Biblical prophecy to fruition. You can
Speaker 3: visit us at IFCJ dot org. Now let's begin as
Speaker 3: ancient feuds rage. A figure emerges, shrouded in mystery and reverence, Malchizedek,
Speaker 3: the King of Salem, the priest of the Most High God.
Speaker 3: Now I think we all have to ask the same question.
Speaker 3: Who is this enigmatic figure who bears blessings for the
Speaker 3: Father of nations? And what is it about this encounter
Speaker 3: that has captured the imaginations and hearts of countless generations.
Speaker 3: As we journey into this tale inspired by Genesis fourteen
Speaker 3: seventeen to twenty four, consider these other questions. Who was Malritzedek?
Speaker 3: What significance does his blessing hold for Abram and for us?
Speaker 3: And in the grand scheme and great drama of the
Speaker 3: story of God's chosen people? What role does this mysterious
Speaker 3: king and priest play.
Speaker 1: Abram frowned the figures on the hill in the distance.
Speaker 1: His force had nearly doubled since the final victory at Hobach,
Speaker 1: but they were not now crippled to a crawling pace.
Speaker 1: With the addition of non fighting men, servants, women, and
Speaker 1: even a few children, they were also laden with the
Speaker 1: possessions of the cities of the plains now theirs. The
Speaker 1: wealth they traveled with was staggering, making them an easy
Speaker 1: target for would be enemies or opportunists. A lone figure
Speaker 1: broke from the amassing group on the hill and headed
Speaker 1: right for Abram's camp.
Speaker 2: A messenger, gather my commanders Mamray and his brother's Escole
Speaker 2: and Anair, and have them meet me in the general's tent.
Speaker 2: Tell them we're about to have a word from these strangers.
Speaker 7: Yes, Master Ribram.
Speaker 1: Abram went through the crowded camp without looking back, trusting
Speaker 1: his men to perform their duties. He knew the messenger
Speaker 1: would be intercepted at this camp's perimeter and brought directly
Speaker 1: to him.
Speaker 5: Uncle, I've heard the nose. Who is that over the ridge?
Speaker 5: And what do they want?
Speaker 2: They've sent an emissary, so we will soon learn what
Speaker 2: they want.
Speaker 8: And should it be an attack?
Speaker 1: Lot was not the same man since the abduction, Abram
Speaker 1: did not know all of the horrors he faced. Although
Speaker 1: Lot's body had regained strength, a lingering weariness torched behind
Speaker 1: his eyes, haunting him.
Speaker 2: Why don't you join me in the general's tent. In
Speaker 2: here firsthand, I could use another man with your understanding
Speaker 2: of business to treat a mysterious visitor.
Speaker 1: Affection drove Abram to include his nephew. He could read
Speaker 1: the validation in Lot's eyes. At the gesture of being included,
Speaker 1: Abram pulled back the entrance to his general's tent and
Speaker 1: found his commanders waiting. Eshkol Anna and Memory stood at
Speaker 1: attention and addressed Abram.
Speaker 2: And so it seems our notoriety has got up with us.
Speaker 5: Yes, it was only a matter of time before the
Speaker 5: words spread to the other nations of our conquest.
Speaker 4: Yes, but the question is whether these are friends or foes.
Speaker 4: Did we offend the allies of King Kettaleomer or have
Speaker 4: the liberated nations come to thank us? Abram, what do
Speaker 4: you anticipate?
Speaker 1: Abram didn't want to encourage their speculation.
Speaker 2: It's useless to speculate. Keep your mind sharp. The messenger
Speaker 2: will be here momentarily. I suggest we listen to what
Speaker 2: he has to say and save our strategizing for when
Speaker 2: we know more.
Speaker 1: As if summoned by Abram's words, two of Abram's trained
Speaker 1: men entered the tent and announced the messenger's arrival. Elieza,
Speaker 1: Abram's trusted servant followed not a moment later, flanked by
Speaker 1: a shrewd looking man.
Speaker 7: General Commanders introducing the emissary of King Birah, the King
Speaker 7: of Sodom.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Eliezer, emissary, you may speak, General Commanders.
Speaker 9: I commend your victories over our enemies. We are profoundly
Speaker 9: grateful on behalf of King Berra and the people of Sodom.
Speaker 9: His highness, King Berra has traveled far to meet with
Speaker 9: you and express his gratitude.
Speaker 4: Hmmm, pondrous. Indeed, it is a great honor that you
Speaker 4: would travel all this way. But I find it curious
Speaker 4: that you wouldn't simply wait for us to pass through
Speaker 4: your region. Your men would have learned that Abram's nephew
Speaker 4: Lot was among those captured. Word of his disappearance would
Speaker 4: have reached your ears. So why come here, I wonder.
Speaker 1: Abram nodded at Mamory's words. He commended his friend's caution
Speaker 1: with the King's man. Just because they had gone to
Speaker 1: war with the cities of the Plain's enemies, it did
Speaker 1: not make them allies. And though Sodom had become Lot's home,
Speaker 1: Abram had heard that the people were wicked and their
Speaker 1: politicians slippery. He did not wish to become entangled in
Speaker 1: one of their twisted webs.
Speaker 9: General, your commander is astute.
Speaker 2: You're right. We did learn that.
Speaker 9: Rot was among the aducted people, and that it was.
Speaker 2: The reason you pursued.
Speaker 9: We of course were concerned for our neighbor, but we
Speaker 9: were in no position to pursue ourselves. Our great city
Speaker 9: is still in shambles, and it will be some time
Speaker 9: until it is restored fully, if ever, and we suffered
Speaker 9: heavy losses among our fighting men and the city's watch.
Speaker 5: Yes, but here you are now, when we are only
Speaker 5: a day's walk from our home of Hebron. Another interpretation
Speaker 5: of your arrival could be you were eager to see
Speaker 5: if we were returning home or going to sodom.
Speaker 2: And it is no secret that we carry a vast fortune,
Speaker 2: So speak plainly. Are you here to lay claim to it? Again?
Speaker 9: General, your commanders, do you credit? I see that you
Speaker 9: are a full measure of the ma you have been
Speaker 9: rumored to be.
Speaker 2: You have achieved much.
Speaker 9: In a short amount of time here in Canaan. I
Speaker 9: assure you, though my king only wishes to meet.
Speaker 2: You, your words flatter me, but you can understand why
Speaker 2: we are cautious.
Speaker 5: Uncle, You cannot mean to reject an audience with a king.
Speaker 5: It would make it impossible for me to return to
Speaker 5: my lands.
Speaker 2: Lot. I thought you would have learned to be cautious
Speaker 2: yourself by now enough. Lot is right, and if we
Speaker 2: are to preserve his new home, we cannot afford to slight.
Speaker 2: King Behra Emissary. We will not go into this meeting blind.
Speaker 2: You will tell us your numbers, and we will meet
Speaker 2: in a place of our choosing. So you cannot lay
Speaker 2: a trap Anypram.
Speaker 7: I've just received word that another visitor is at the perimeter.
Speaker 7: He wishes to have an audience with you as well.
Speaker 7: It's that strange general who calls himself a king. He
Speaker 7: is unaccompanied, no emissary, no guard, just him.
Speaker 1: After learning more about their host, Abrams sent King Bearer's
Speaker 1: messenger away with instructions on where and when to meet
Speaker 1: the following day. He then turned his attention to learn
Speaker 1: more about this unexpected king.
Speaker 2: Tell me more about this visitor at the perimeter. Did
Speaker 2: you learn his name? He calls himself Melchizedek, King of Salem.
Speaker 1: Something unlocked in the corridors of Abram's mind suddenly he
Speaker 1: felt the presence of another his God. The word righteous
Speaker 1: fell upon his mind like a gentle reign righteous. He
Speaker 1: did not know how he knew the meaning of this
Speaker 1: mysterious man's name, but he knew with certainty it was righteous.
Speaker 2: And what of his people? Which clan holds the city?
Speaker 2: And what do we know of them?
Speaker 4: The Jebusites? They've held the city a long time, but
Speaker 4: we've never had a conflict with them. I've never heard
Speaker 4: of a king by that name, though he must have
Speaker 4: just recently risen to power. I'm surprised we've never learned
Speaker 4: of this Melchizedek. Salem is not so far from us.
Speaker 5: I am surprised as well. And to come out alone
Speaker 5: to meet.
Speaker 2: Us, that he's far a stranger.
Speaker 5: Is it safe to treat with this king?
Speaker 2: Well, he hails us alone. I suppose we should see
Speaker 2: what he has to say. It's the only way to
Speaker 2: learn whether he leaves up.
Speaker 4: To his name.
Speaker 2: Eh, how do you mean he is the king of Salem,
Speaker 2: the city of peace?
Speaker 4: Abram, what say you? Should we sand for him to
Speaker 4: meet us?
Speaker 2: Yes, let's see what this king Melchizedek has to say.
Speaker 1: Moments later, Abram's men brought King Melchisedek before them. He
Speaker 1: was a nondescript looking man, but his appearance and attire
Speaker 1: were noteworthy. Most surprising, he was bare foot. A linen
Speaker 1: turban with a gold plate about his brow sat upon
Speaker 1: his head. There seemed to be an inscription, but Abram
Speaker 1: couldn't determine what it said. He wore a dark blue
Speaker 1: woven robe over a white tunic. A strange, colorful garment
Speaker 1: was over the top of both, fastened at his waist
Speaker 1: and stretching the length of his chest and over his shoulders.
Speaker 1: The embellishments on both symbolized something, for Abram wasn't sure what.
Speaker 1: The king did not come empty handed. He smiled at
Speaker 1: the four men and Abram's trained men who escorted him
Speaker 1: inside the tent. In one hand was a wrapt bundle,
Speaker 1: and in the other was a clay pitcher.
Speaker 2: King Melchizedeck, you honor us with your visit. Tell us
Speaker 2: what have you come to say?
Speaker 8: I have much to say, Apram the Hebrew. But first
Speaker 8: you are my guests here in the valley of Chavar
Speaker 8: and on the doorstep of my city. I would first
Speaker 8: be sure that you have had bread and wine as
Speaker 8: a mark of hospitality a token of my friendship.
Speaker 1: The king then gestured for the puzzled men to join
Speaker 1: him at the table beside the receiving area of the
Speaker 1: general's tent. He then began to break the bread and
Speaker 1: pour the wine into the cups at hand. Abram found
Speaker 1: it especially strange that this king was serving them, especially
Speaker 1: one whose name meant righteous. He did not call for
Speaker 1: an attendant, and waved one away when they sprang forward
Speaker 1: to assist. When the table was prepared, Melchisedek again motioned
Speaker 1: for the men to sit at the seats he had prepared.
Speaker 8: Come, let us eat and drink together.
Speaker 7: Who are you?
Speaker 2: What kind of king are you that you would serve
Speaker 2: us yourself?
Speaker 8: I am a king, yes, But I am also a high.
Speaker 4: Priest, a priest of what godd.
Speaker 8: L Elion, The one and only true God there is
Speaker 8: the one who created both the heavens and the earth.
Speaker 8: He has many names, but he is one God. The
Speaker 8: God most High, is what I call him before you.
Speaker 6: Now.
Speaker 8: This is the God of Abraham, the God who has
Speaker 8: given him favor in his land. He is the god
Speaker 8: who blesses his friends and curses his enemies. This is
Speaker 8: the God who has granted you your victories and destroyed
Speaker 8: your enemies before you. It is to this God that
Speaker 8: I have devoted my entire life, and the same God
Speaker 8: to which Abram has devoted his.
Speaker 1: The man on either side of Abram was speechless. The
Speaker 1: assuredness with which the man spoke was unlike anything they
Speaker 1: had experienced. He spoke with authority. Abram had not considered
Speaker 1: that others knew his God. He had certainly seen his
Speaker 1: God do incredible things, and was sure enough in his
Speaker 1: own faith because of it. But now encountering another who
Speaker 1: had the same faith, perhaps even a greater one, was
Speaker 1: truly remarkable. Abram was in awe.
Speaker 2: I Priest, what would you say to us?
Speaker 8: I would bless you, Abram before these witnesses, if you
Speaker 8: would receive it.
Speaker 2: You would bless me.
Speaker 8: Yes on, behalf of our God, for it is in
Speaker 8: his power and authority that anything at all comes to pass.
Speaker 2: Will you receive it? I would you honor me greatly?
Speaker 1: Melchisedek then stood gently, placing his hands on Abram's shoulders,
Speaker 1: closed his eyes, and began his blessing.
Speaker 8: Blessed be Abram, by God most High, creator of heaven
Speaker 8: and earth, in Him, you and your great nation we'll
Speaker 8: have a protector and provide her. And blessed be God
Speaker 8: Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.
Speaker 8: He is forever your defender an advocate. We praise his
Speaker 8: holy name and give him all the glory and gratitude
Speaker 8: for everything we have.
Speaker 1: Abram was struck to the core by the High Priest's words.
Speaker 1: They rang of truth and promise. So moved by the
Speaker 1: words and with an overwhelming gratitude for his God, he
Speaker 1: racked his mind for a way to respond. His God
Speaker 1: had granted him victory after victory, and he had expressed
Speaker 1: gratitude with his lips, but now at this moment, it
Speaker 1: just didn't seem enough. There had to be something tangible
Speaker 1: he could do to show the God Most High how
Speaker 1: grateful he truly was. Abram had seen various forms of
Speaker 1: sacrifice in his homeland of Awe and later in her
Speaker 1: and in the cultures of Canaan and Egypt. In the past,
Speaker 1: he had not known what to do to worship his
Speaker 1: God other than pray and give him his obedience. But
Speaker 1: now perhaps he could borrow a gesture and hope that
Speaker 1: it was found to be worthy of worship in the
Speaker 1: eyes of his God.
Speaker 2: High Priest, Righteous Melchizedek. I am moved by a word
Speaker 2: and in awe of our God. I have long felt
Speaker 2: his guidance and seen his protection and provision time and
Speaker 2: time again. Thank you for this reminder of our God's
Speaker 2: overwhelming generosity. I wish to honor Our God through a tithe.
Speaker 2: Since our God gave me all I possess, I would
Speaker 2: return a portion to him. Tell me will he find
Speaker 2: it to be a worthy sacrifice?
Speaker 8: I believe you would.
Speaker 2: Will you help me do this, impart my tithe into
Speaker 2: your hands?
Speaker 8: Yes, a probably, I will accept this gift on behalf
Speaker 8: of God Most High.
Speaker 1: Melchisedek and Abram walked along the hillside together. Abram was
Speaker 1: cautious not to ask too many questions. Melchisedek seemed almost
Speaker 1: like a vapor to him. If he grasped too firmly
Speaker 1: at him, he would disappear. Melchisedek remained for the rest
Speaker 1: of the day, as the sun set and the fires
Speaker 1: burned to cut the cold. Abram could tell that his
Speaker 1: companions were growing wary of the King of Salem. They
Speaker 1: certainly appreciated what he had said and represented, but Abram
Speaker 1: could also surmise they didn't fully understand. Melchisedek arranged for
Speaker 1: servants from his priesthood to come and accept the tithe,
Speaker 1: and he and Abram spoke together until late in the day,
Speaker 1: when he finally had to depart for his city and
Speaker 1: his evening meal.
Speaker 2: Will you stay a little longer?
Speaker 7: I'm afraid not.
Speaker 8: The moon and sun must continue their churning, so I
Speaker 8: wish they would stop so we could have more time.
Speaker 8: Perhaps one day they will.
Speaker 1: Melchisedek departed alone through the valley toward the city of Salem.
Speaker 1: As the pale moon's beam fell behind a few clouds.
Speaker 1: Abram found himself wondering if they would ever cross paths again.
Speaker 1: The next morning, the euphoria of meeting Melchisa deck was
Speaker 1: cut with business. Abram, Lot, mamory, eshkol Anna, and a
Speaker 1: portion of their armed men went to the agreed upon
Speaker 1: location to see what the King of Sodom had to say.
Speaker 1: They walked on foot to an ebony tree. Its trunk
Speaker 1: was dark as if it had been dipped in iron.
Speaker 1: Waiting in its shadow, sitting atop his horse, with a
Speaker 1: procession of foot soldiers and aids beside him, king bearer,
Speaker 1: the King of Sodom wore a dark robe with crimson
Speaker 1: threads woven into an image of a three headed serpent.
Speaker 1: Even from a distance, Abram could tell that he didn't
Speaker 1: like this man. If even half the stories coming out
Speaker 1: of Sodom were true, King Bearer was a man of
Speaker 1: extraordinary wickedness. The king bore his teeth in a smile,
Speaker 1: his voice higher than expected for a man of his stature.
Speaker 4: Ah, the savvy Abram of the Hebrews, we meet at last,
Speaker 4: Ebram the Hebrew, Your highness, Yes, yes, the Hebrew I
Speaker 4: have been most anxious to meet you, though it seems
Speaker 4: you did not share that same sentiment. But here we are,
Speaker 4: in the location you selected, and with an understanding the
Speaker 4: number of men I brought as an.
Speaker 2: Escort, King Beer, I'm sure a man like yourself would
Speaker 2: understand our vigil libs.
Speaker 4: A man such as myself.
Speaker 2: A man who knows what it's like, will be God.
Speaker 4: Of Abram, I will give you this. You and your
Speaker 4: amorite allies certainly know how to make an impression. One
Speaker 4: can only hope they won't remain your only allies.
Speaker 1: Abram had anticipated this. King Bear's compliance with their demands
Speaker 1: was a sure sign that he wanted something from Abram.
Speaker 1: He just had to wait to hear what that something
Speaker 1: would be.
Speaker 4: I have come to make Abram a generous offer, as
Speaker 4: you guessed in your meeting with my emissary yesterday. We
Speaker 4: are aware that you now possess all that is plundered
Speaker 4: from my city, as well as all our people who
Speaker 4: were taken. Abram, do not fear, Abram, call off your
Speaker 4: amorite god. Docs I told you I had come to
Speaker 4: make a generous offer. I see you have all our
Speaker 4: possessions and people, but I will allow you to get
Speaker 4: keep all the possessions. Call it an act of gratitude,
Speaker 4: the good will, even for destroying our enemies and avenging osity.
Speaker 1: Abram smiled. There it was this was what the king wanted,
Speaker 1: giving up the possessions he lost in a raid to
Speaker 1: gain a friend, to curry favor with Abram and the Emirates.
Speaker 1: King Behra was looking to own Abram through this gift.
Speaker 2: We weren't avenging your city. We destroyed your enemies by
Speaker 2: rescuing one of your people, your highness.
Speaker 4: So you've come for your people, your highness, But would
Speaker 4: you take back the very people we went to war
Speaker 4: to rescue.
Speaker 5: Your highness? You would capture Lot in his family.
Speaker 2: Again a air, my friends, Surely the king views Lot
Speaker 2: as his own man, and surely the king would allow
Speaker 2: him to return to his lands. Should that what Lot
Speaker 2: desires to What say you to that king bearer?
Speaker 4: It is as you say, Abram, I would gladly allow
Speaker 4: Lot and his family to come back, and I would
Speaker 4: give you all my possessions, all that in hopes that
Speaker 4: we may become friends.
Speaker 2: Your possessions that we liberated and rightfully earned in battle.
Speaker 5: Ash All, please, this is a most generous offer, your highness. Well,
Speaker 5: I'm sure my uncle will accept, and I would be
Speaker 5: most honored to return to Sodom at your invitation.
Speaker 2: Your highness, you do extend quite the gesture of friendship
Speaker 2: to us. I will gladly see your people safely back
Speaker 2: with you. As for your possessions, you can keep them
Speaker 2: as well.
Speaker 1: Lot and the others gaped at him, but feeling confident
Speaker 1: in his decision, Abram continued.
Speaker 2: As my friends know, I have devoted my life to
Speaker 2: the God most all I have is his, and all
Speaker 2: I do is in his name. My victories are his
Speaker 2: and not my own. So it is to him that
Speaker 2: you should be grateful, and not me. My possessions are
Speaker 2: the same. Everything I own is his. I'm not a
Speaker 2: self made man. Therefore I have little taste for ambitious friendships.
Speaker 2: And I would not take even a thread or sandal
Speaker 2: strap or anything that belongs to you. I see the
Speaker 2: invisible strings attached to them. I will sever them now
Speaker 2: and give you what is yours. I will not allow
Speaker 2: you or anyone to say I made Abram rich. I
Speaker 2: cannot be owned because I am already under the lordship
Speaker 2: of another.
Speaker 1: To this, no one gathered had anything to say. Abram
Speaker 1: could tell what was nettled at the loss of the
Speaker 1: massive fortune, but held his tongue. Mamory and his brothers
Speaker 1: were similarly dumbfounded, but could appreciate Abram's conviction.
Speaker 2: I will take nothing save what the men and women
Speaker 2: have eaten in our travels. I will take nothing, But
Speaker 2: as for the share that would go to my amorite friends.
Speaker 1: He had memory Eshkol and Anna's attention.
Speaker 2: Now, they should not be deprived of what you offered.
Speaker 2: They should take their portion of your possessions. They had
Speaker 2: as much a part of the rescue as I did,
Speaker 2: and should be rewarded. And since you have extended an
Speaker 2: invitation to return to Lot out of the kindness of
Speaker 2: your heart. You will swear to protect him and his
Speaker 2: family as they travel with you back to Sodom, and
Speaker 2: you will show him kindness and allow him to dwell
Speaker 2: safely in your lands, since you are a gracious and
Speaker 2: good willed friend.
Speaker 1: King Bearer smiled through gritted teeth. Abram knew this gesture
Speaker 1: would leave him outside the good graces of Vera, but
Speaker 1: he didn't care. The King of Sodom now had to
Speaker 1: give up his possessions to three Amorate lords.
Speaker 4: Very well, Abram, I will agree to escort Lot back
Speaker 4: to Sodom. As for the possessions, I will take back
Speaker 4: your portion and leave the rest of these Amorites.
Speaker 2: Thank you, your majesty. I will tell stories of your kindness.
Speaker 4: Save your stories. Lot will be the only friend you haven't.
Speaker 1: King Bhah and his men prepared to escort their people
Speaker 1: back to Sodom. Abrams readied for the final leg of
Speaker 1: their journey home. As they worked, Abram found his thoughts
Speaker 1: returning to his strange encounter with Melchisedek. The blessing spoken
Speaker 1: over him gave words to what Abram had felt inside,
Speaker 1: a steady joy came upon Abram. It felt like courage resolve.
Speaker 1: Abram was pleased to know that he had done right
Speaker 1: by his God and that his reward would be something
Speaker 1: akin to a legacy, enduring and everlasting, just as the
Speaker 1: God Most High had promised him.
Speaker 3: Abram our father, fresh from the battle, meets a figure
Speaker 3: shrouded a mystery, Maritzedek, the priest king of Salem. In
Speaker 3: this brief meeting, Malrizzedek blesses Abram, and Abram gives the
Speaker 3: king a tenth of all he owns. Let's take a
Speaker 3: look at Malrizedek, this priest king whose higher authority Abram
Speaker 3: recognizes with the ties. A king rules with authority, with power,
Speaker 3: with justice. A king commands armies, establishes laws, and ensure's order.
Speaker 3: A king's word is final. But a priest a priest
Speaker 3: as a mediator, a servant who stands in the gap
Speaker 3: between the human and the divine. A priest offers sacrifices
Speaker 3: praise on behalf of the people and seeks to reconcile
Speaker 3: them with God. If we look at Malchrizedek, this mysterious
Speaker 3: priest king is representative of God, we can make some
Speaker 3: conclusions about God's very character. As a king, God establishes
Speaker 3: his sovereignty and justice over all of creation. As a priest,
Speaker 3: he extends mercy, compassion, and reconciliation. This dual role of
Speaker 3: Malchrizede Kin said to God, who is not distant nor detached,
Speaker 3: but is actively involved in the lives of his people,
Speaker 3: and he holds paradox, He's not limited like man, but
Speaker 3: he's expansive in order to give us all the tools
Speaker 3: and inspiration that we need in every area of our life.
Speaker 3: You see from Malchriizedek we see that God is both
Speaker 3: powerful and present. That God rules with justice but also
Speaker 3: seeks relationship and restoration. But God also bridges the gap
Speaker 3: between the holy and the human, the majestic, the divine,
Speaker 3: and the mundane. God takes on the priestly role, committed
Speaker 3: not just to govern humanity but to heal, not just
Speaker 3: to command his people, but to commune with them. The
Speaker 3: idea of God is both a king and a priest
Speaker 3: paints us a picture of a God who is both
Speaker 3: above us and with us. It's an oxymoron, but it's
Speaker 3: exactly the character of God, don't you think so? When
Speaker 3: we read of Abram's encounter with Malchriizedek, we get a
Speaker 3: glimpse of God's grand narrative, where his sovereignty and his
Speaker 3: desire for an intimate relationship with his creation with each
Speaker 3: one of us comes together. There in this story we
Speaker 3: get a rare glimpse of God. Now for some Hebrew insights,
Speaker 3: Let's take a look at this mysterious biblical figure's name.
Speaker 3: It's very telling, Malchrizedek, King of Salem. Most Jewish commentaries
Speaker 3: say that Salem was the original name of Jerusalem in Hebrew.
Speaker 3: You say Salem as Shalem, which means whole or complete.
Speaker 3: But does it sound like another Hebrew word that you know,
Speaker 3: doesn't The Hebrew word of Shalem sounds a lot like
Speaker 3: the Hebrew word of Shalom, which means peace, and, according
Speaker 3: to Jewish tradition, is actually one of the names of God.
Speaker 3: But whatever God's reason for this mysterious scene with this
Speaker 3: mysterious man and this mysterious meeting, this is an important
Speaker 3: moment because the Bible's first mention of the Holy City
Speaker 3: of Jerusalem and the great Jewish teacher Normanides makes another
Speaker 3: connection between Jerusalem and Malrizedek. The first half of Malrizedek's
Speaker 3: name is Melech, which in Hebrew means king. But Normanidi
Speaker 3: notes that the second half of the king's name is Sedek,
Speaker 3: which is Hebrew for righteousness. He then quotes another Jewish
Speaker 3: teaching that says that Jerusalem itself is called Sedek because
Speaker 3: it inspires its inhabitants to be righteous. And so this
Speaker 3: story about a mysterious king with such a meaningful name
Speaker 3: at last introduces Jerusalem. Normanidi writes that, and I quote,
Speaker 3: perhaps Abram and Marizedek knew of the extreme importance of
Speaker 3: this place, Jerusalem for future history. A city where Heaven
Speaker 3: and Earth come together. That is beautiful, and I think
Speaker 3: of it often when I walk the beautiful streets of Jerusalem.
Speaker 3: And I think of it often when I walk the
Speaker 3: ancient yet modern streets of Jerusalem here in the Holy
Speaker 3: Land with my husband and children. When I walk those
Speaker 3: cobblestone stones of Jerusalem, I feel enveloped in spirituality. Somehow,
Speaker 3: the city itself makes me want to do more good,
Speaker 3: to bring more help to the people who need it,
Speaker 3: and to rededicate myself to exactly that kind of work
Speaker 3: that we do at the Fellowship, the ministry that I lead.
Speaker 3: I really hope that through these podcasts and through the
Speaker 3: wonderful and dramatic stories from the Bible that they tell,
Speaker 3: I can help you feel what I feel here in Jerusalem,
Speaker 3: a deep, personal, inspiring connection with God. And it was
Speaker 3: in Jerusalem, in the City of Righteousness, that this Bible
Speaker 3: story of Malchrizedek, the King of Righteousness, took place, giving
Speaker 3: us a glimpse at the true nature of what righteousness is.
Speaker 3: The Christian Bible also has much to say about this
Speaker 3: mysterious character and what he represents to people of faith.
Speaker 3: To speak more about this is our good friend, Bishop Paulineer.
Speaker 10: Thank you so much. El, I'm so excited to press
Speaker 10: into this Genesis chapter fourteen. Well, you know, Lot has
Speaker 10: chosen to live with his family and all his stuff
Speaker 10: in Sodom. What he didn't know was that there were
Speaker 10: five kings from other regions who were looking on and
Speaker 10: created a conspiracy, determined to invade that space, to kidnap
Speaker 10: Lot and his family, and to confiscate all the wealth.
Speaker 10: Didn't turn out the way Lot was thinking, but thankfully
Speaker 10: there was somebody, somehow or another that was able to
Speaker 10: escape the attack and to rush to Abraham and to
Speaker 10: tell him everything that was going on well. Immediately, the
Speaker 10: Bible says that Abraham put together a posse of three
Speaker 10: hundred and eighteen marksmen. These weren't simply volunteers folk with
Speaker 10: a good heart. These were absolutely the best warriors and
Speaker 10: soldiers that you could find anywhere, and didn't take them
Speaker 10: long with three hundred and eighteen marksmen to overtake those
Speaker 10: five kings and to rescue Abraham's family of Lot and
Speaker 10: to redeem their blessing. Now, it wouldn't surprise you when
Speaker 10: I say to you that, as Abraham and the posse
Speaker 10: and Lot and the blessing are in view, that the
Speaker 10: king of.
Speaker 7: Sodom was thrilled.
Speaker 10: He was euphoric to see that no one had died
Speaker 10: and all was well, and he rushed to Abraham and
Speaker 10: said to him, good words. We just talked about honor recently,
Speaker 10: and this is an honoring moment. He says to Abraham,
Speaker 10: I'm so grateful for all you've done. Please let me
Speaker 10: now prosper you and bless you for your successes. But
Speaker 10: Abraham said, oh no, listen, I need you to understand something.
Speaker 4: Sir.
Speaker 10: I am a portal man. I live in a portal place,
Speaker 10: at a portal point in time, and the blessing of
Speaker 10: God is upon my life. Every good and perfer a
Speaker 10: gift that's belonging to me comes to me from His hand.
Speaker 10: And so I'm not taking anything from you. Lest one
Speaker 10: day somebody look at and say that Abraham is a
Speaker 10: blessed man, and you step in and say, well, you
Speaker 10: should have seen him when I found him. I'm the
Speaker 10: one that no, no, no, no, no no. Only my God
Speaker 10: is blessing me. When Abraham returned, there was this mysterious
Speaker 10: man standing there who has intrigued us and so many
Speaker 10: others for generations. I'm just going to speak to the
Speaker 10: obvious about him. His name was Melkazi, and he was
Speaker 10: from Jerusalem. Matter of fact, this is the only time
Speaker 10: throughout the whole Torah that you find the name Jerusalem. Remarkably,
Speaker 10: he is a king and the priest, and he's holding
Speaker 10: both wine and bread. Now I need to step in
Speaker 10: here and speak specifically to my Christian brothers and sisters,
Speaker 10: those who believe that Jesus of Nazareth is actually Jesus
Speaker 10: the Christ through the Messiah Moshirk. I'm talking to you
Speaker 10: this image of Melchzedek, who is a king and a priest,
Speaker 10: and he's holding wine and bread that is so familiar
Speaker 10: to us, isn't it for us we see Jesus, we
Speaker 10: would call this a theophany. This is when you can
Speaker 10: actually find the son of God from the New Testament.
Speaker 10: You can find the son of God that we're familiar
Speaker 10: with in the Old Testament. Wow, that's incredible. What I
Speaker 10: want to speak to you right now is I don't
Speaker 10: know what's against your family, try to steal you, tear
Speaker 10: you apart, destroy every good thing in your life. But
Speaker 10: I declared and to everyone under the sound of my voice,
Speaker 10: that God loves you, and he holds that bread and
Speaker 10: that whine. And we'll see it again later when we
Speaker 10: get to the passover. Continuously, the table of the Lord
Speaker 10: is so significant. Covenant meals, meal moments are so profoundly
Speaker 10: important to us. Now, I'm just praying now for the
Speaker 10: blessing of God upon you, sir, upon you, ma'am, and
Speaker 10: that God will bless your families and sustain you, and
Speaker 10: that you never forget it is God and God alone
Speaker 10: who is the author and finisher of your faith and
Speaker 10: your blessing.
Speaker 3: Our story ends with Abram declining an offer from the
Speaker 3: King of Sidom. Abram was offered his dessert of riches,
Speaker 3: but suddenly material wealth didn't matter to him at all,
Speaker 3: because after his encounter with Malchrizedek, Abram saw life through
Speaker 3: a different lens. Abram was secure in who he was.
Speaker 3: He was created by God, he was sustained by God,
Speaker 3: and he was chosen by God. Just like Abram, my friends,
Speaker 3: you too are chosen by God. You are called by
Speaker 3: God for something great. In our next episode, Abram is
Speaker 3: going to speak with God, and God's promises are going
Speaker 3: to become much more clear. They're going to be etched
Speaker 3: into the stars. Here's a final blessing and benediction for you,
Speaker 3: one that has been passed down from the Bible in
Speaker 3: numbers all the way to my father and countless generations
Speaker 3: before him, that I now bless and pray am my children,
Speaker 3: and I want to pray an you yivare hashenvi schmerch
Speaker 3: yah heer hashempavele ye sa Hashempave Salon. May the Lord
Speaker 3: bless and keep you. May the Lord make his face
Speaker 3: shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the
Speaker 3: Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.
Speaker 3: Shallo my friends from here in the Holy Land.
Speaker 1: You can listen to The Chosen People with Isle Eckstein
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Speaker 1: Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made
Speaker 1: possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina,
Speaker 1: Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive
Speaker 1: producers of the Chosen People with Yaile Estein, edited by
Speaker 1: Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Caltefianu. Characters are voiced by
Speaker 1: Jonathan Cole, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold,
Speaker 1: Sylvia Zaradoc and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore.
Speaker 1: Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Bree Rosalie and
Speaker 1: Aaron Salvato. Special thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin,
Speaker 1: kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship
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