Today I read Genesis 14 where Lot is captured by the warring kings and Abraham has to go and rescue him. Afterwards Abraham pays his tithing on all he owns and all he acquired from the war when he want to go get his nephew. This chapter is unique because it introduces us to Melchizedek who, in the King James Version does not play a very important role and we barely see him at all, but in the JST we are given 15 extra verses to understand who he was and why he was the high priest of God in that area.
The verse that really stood out to me was verse 17, particularly the JST version. It really makes it sound like Melchizedek administered the sacrament to Abraham. To my knowledge that is the first and only instance of the sacrament before the Savior Himself institutes the night before His death. But I don't know of any other way to interpret the scriptures saying that Melchizedek took bread, brake it and blessed it and then blessed wine afterwards. I mean, that's almost identical terminology as when Jesus teaches the Nephites the sacrament in 3 Nephi. Who ever Melchizedek was, he was a great man that is for sure. He was able to get his people to the point there was no more sin in the city of Salem. That's hard to do in a city. It took Enoch almost 300 years to accomplish it.
I've sometimes wondered since Melchizedek was such a great man, I mean the higher Priesthood is named for him! But since he was such a great man, why wasn't this period of time call the dispensation of Melchizedek? Why was it called the dispensation of Abraham? I believe the answer is because the promise was made to Abraham. And even though he was not the high priest, Abraham was still an incredible man on his own and should not be slighted. I just wish we had more records of Melchizedek to teach us more about this great man beyond this chapter and Alma 13. Oh well, we will know one day. Until tomorrow.
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