A DIVINE APPEARANCE, SHEM, A TYPE AND SHADOW
Saturday – March 14, 2026
Video link: https://youtu.be/HhMXN2ubBjA
Greetings dear ones and welcome to our study of the Bible character Melchizedek (spelled Melchisedec in the New Testament). Some ask and others assert that Melchizedek was the preincarnate Christ. Others put forward the idea that this man was actually Shem, one of the sons of Noah. Various timelines do appear to have overlap but only in the early years of Abram’s life. Still others maintain that this character is a type and shadow of Christ. There is a brief but very meaningful and revealing mention of Melchizedek in the Book of Genesis. Much is said about Melchizedek comparing him to Jesus in the 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters of the Bible Book of Hebrews.
Flavius Josephus a first century Jewish historian writes about this person as well (Antiquities of the Jews [Book 1, 180-181]). Josephus is generally thought to be an accurate and reliable historian. Josephus cast Melchizedek as a real person not as Shem or a preincarnate Christ Jesus. He records that he was a chief among the Canaanites and the king of Salem (original name of Jerusalem). He indicated that he was the first priest unto God and built the first temple in what would later come to be known as Jerusalem. The writings of Josephus established that Melchizedek was a real human person distinct from all others, was a priest unto God, and was king of Salem.
Now, let’s go to a more reliable source of information, Scripture. This will be quite lengthy to give context. Remember that Lot (Abram’s nephew) was living in Sodom and taken captive with his family and possessions. Abram is told of it, assembles an army from his own household and frees all who were taken captive.
Genesis 14:14-24 (KJV)
14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
I am sure you have already spotted many intriguing Truths in this passage. We will delve further into this wonderful passage of Scripture tomorrow.
TAKE HOME:
- It seems unlikely that Shem was later called Melchizedek being priest to God and king of Salem, later Jerusalem.
- Josephus the Jewish historian clearly identifies Melchizedek as a historical human.
- So, tomorrow we will start to unravel the question of whether Melchizedek is a preincarnate Jesus or a type and shadow of that to come.
Lord willing, I will resume right here tomorrow. Remember, we love you, the Lord loves you, and there is nothing you can do about either one.
By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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