Christ. 2, His twofold desiynati<m. Melchisedeck, king of S,tlem, i. e. kii:g of righteousness and king of peace (Heh. vii. 2) ; descriptive of-(1) Personal excellence. Pious in spirit nnd peace-loving in disposition, he was not only fitted to be a type of the Meek a.nd Holy One, but admirably qualified to be a governor of men and a minister of religion. Happy' the land whose throne is filled by purity and love, and the Church whose teachers illustrate by their lives the religion they profess I (2) Regal sway. Righteous in principle, as a consequence his kingly rule was peaceful in administration; thus again constituting him an eminent foreshadowing of H,o righteous King and Princo of peace, as well as an instructive pattern and guide to earth's rulers. When righteousness and peace occupy the throne they seldom fail to reign throughout the land. (3) Priestly work. The specific function of his sacerdotal. office being to make peace between God and sinful men, probably hy means of sacrifice, and thus to cover with righteouane.~s as with a garment those who wore exposed. to condemnation, he a third time symbolised the great King-Priest of the New Testament Chnrch; while at the same time he seemed to proclaim this important truth, that they who labour in the priest's office should diligently strive for the salvation of souls. 3. His mysterwus appearance. Of unknown parentage, of unrecorded genealogy, of unchronicled existence, the unique personality of this grand old ldng-priest flashes meteo'r-like across the path of the conquering patriarch, emerging from the gloom of historical obscurity, and almost instantaneously vanish- ing into inscrutable seclusion. Spirit-taught writers of later times diilcerned in this ancient figure, so-enigmatical and mysterious, a Divinely-appointed type of the c,cr- living High Priest, "the Son who is consecrated for evermore." 4. His regal !tos- pitality. Whatever additional significance attached to the banquet on the pbin of Shaveh, it was clearly designed as a refreshment fo; the victoriou8 patriarch and his wearied soldiers. So· should earthly monarchs gratefully and sumptuously reward those who at the risk of their lives maintain the cause and vindicate the rights of the oppressed within their, borders. So does heaven's King provide for his toiling followers. 5. His priestly benediction. ( 1) The blessing conferred on Abram was not simply the expression of a wish, but the actual conveyance by Divine authority of the good which it proclaimed ; and so is Christ invested with supreme power to bless and save. (2) The ascription of praise to God was a sincere declaration of the patriarch's gratitude for. the heavenly succour vouchsafed in connection with his military expedition ; and so should God's redeemed ones, whom be has delivered out of the hands of the enemy, cherish a lively recollection of Divine mercies, and offer heartfelt thanksgivings through the one Mediator. 6. His public recognition. In presence of the king of Sodom and hie people, his confederates and their forces, as well as of his own domestics, the patriarch delivered into the hands of Melchisedeck a tenth part of the spoils. Designed as a solemn act of worship to Jehovah, it was both an. acknowledgment of the claim which God's minister had upon his countenance and support, and a symbol of the service,-the voluntary devotement of a liberal portion of their substance,-which should by a.II saints be yielded to him who has been constituted a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck. II. THE KING OF SODOM. 1. His courteous bekaviO'ltr. Displayed in retiring before Melchisedeck'e advance, and deferring the prosecution of his suit till the termination of the king-priest's interview with the patriarch, it may be regarded as suggesting (1) the politeness which in all ranks of society, but especially in intelli- gent and educated circles, should regulate the intercourse of man with •man; (2) the deference which should be paid, by even kings a.nd those in authority, to the ministers of religion; (3) the homage which, though unwillingly, the world some- times is obliged to render .to the Church; and ( 4) the preference which should ever be assigned to heaven's business over that of earth. 2. His generous proposal. Made to Abram, this evinced-(!) Lively gratitude towards the patriarch for his distinguished services. Persons of known profligacy of chRrncter and life at times discover sparks of true nobility which proclaim them not entirely lost; and not unfrequently individuals not professing to be pious outshine the followers of Christ in acts of self-rennnGiation, and in thankful acknowledgment of benef,ts (L:.ke xvii. 17). (2) Peace/1tl disposition in himself, which, while it might hllve clnirncd tho entire spoil, anti perhaps vinclicatecl the justness of such rlnim by an appeal to arm:a F2 THE BOOK OF O ENESIS. [rn. XIV. 17-24,
"'I\S fon-rnrd to 11Yoid strife hy asking only the persons. E\'cll the world m11y occasionally instruct the Chu!ch how to follow peace with all men. (8) Remarkable <fiscemment as to the r~spectlve values of men and things, being prcpnred to forego the goods 11nd clrnttcls if only the persons were restored to his dominion. 3. His ,·<;fectec! lwerality. _Generous 1111 fron~ the king of Sodom's standpoint the proposal was, 1t. wns repud111ted by the patrrnrch-(1) In absolute entirety, without the rrservatwn of so mnch 11s a thread or shoe-latchct; another proof of the wholly 1rnwo~ldly cl_1arnc~er of the patriarch, another instance of _self-sacrificing magnanimity, of a piece with Ins surrender of the land to Lot.. (2) Witli sluu:ldei·ing appreltension 1Pst his fair name should be contaminated by participation in the wealth of Sodom'. So should God's p<'ople not let their good be evil spoken of, and in particular look well to the clwnnels t.hro11g·h which the treasures that enrich them come. There iR rYcr an important difference between the wealth which proceeds from the devil and that which is bestowed by the l1and of Christ. (3) With unmistakable sincerity as re,ealed by his solemn adjuration. God's name, while to be taken in vain by none: rnny on uppropriate occasions be appealed to by his servants to vindicate their truths fnlness. ( 4) After e11.uitable rese1"1Jation of the just claims of others, of the rations of his soldiers, which were not to be repaid, and the portions of his allies, which were not to he appropriated unless with their consent. The sacrifices made by God's people should be composed of their own, and not of their neighbour's property. • Learn-I. That God's faithful servants are sure to win the approbation of good men and the benediction of Heaven. 2. Tliat the friendship of wicked men and the congratulations of the world should never be desired by the saints. • •