POSSESSOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

Following on from our previous consideration we now turn to the second title of God used by Melchizedek. The word possessor in the King James Version also bears the ideas of creator and upholder. While this man may not appear to know God as Jehovah, like Abraham, he does appreciate God as the creator. This, of course, is one of the ways in which God reveals Himself to all men and which makes them accountable, Rom. 1. 20.

Not only is this One higher than all earthly kings or powers, but His sphere includes heaven and earth, both of which are upheld by Him. It is in Him, Paul tells those in Athens, ‘we live, and move, and have our being’, Acts 17. 28. How timely is this pronouncement to Abraham and how well he responds to it.

Abraham’s first response is to give a tenth to this representative of the ‘possessor’ of all things. Of course, the legal requirement to tithe had not yet been introduced, but this man of faith requires no mandate of law to bring forth his offering to God. So too today, we who are under grace should willingly exceed the requirement of law. After all, if God possesses all things, we are merely returning to Him what is His right.

The revelation also prepares Abraham for the next challenge, the offer of reward from the king of Sodom. His response is a lesson to us all. He has clearly appreciated the revelation and repeats the titles of God in verse 22, making the first recorded oath in scripture by them. The child of God is not dependent on earthly kings for his reward or provision; he belongs to ‘the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth’. Abraham is well aware that he has a testimony to maintain and will not jeopardise it for the rewards of men. Are we?

However, Abraham is balanced in his carrying out of this matter, v. 24. The young men were worthy of the provisions eaten in carrying out their task. So the believer is in this world but not of it. As such, we are entitled to receive just wages from earthly masters. Notice, also, how honourably this man acts in not imposing on others his own constraints and convictions. His three accomplices should take their portion if they so wish. So he maintains a righteous testimony before all.