“For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him” (Hebrews 7:1).
Ten centuries before there was David vs. Goliath, there was Abram and his 318 trained servants vs. four kings and their combined armies (Genesis 14:1-15). The outcome was decisive—Abram “brought back all the goods…his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people” (Genesis 14:16).
After this great victory, a priest of the same God who gave Abram the victory came out to meet and bless him with these words: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand” (Genesis 14:19-20).
About fifteen hundred years later, a furious King Nebuchadnezzar sought to punish three disobedient Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego (Daniel 3). The furnace was heated seven times greater than usual, and this trio of courageous descendants of Abraham were bound and cast into the raging inferno. These three servants of the Most High God (Daniel 3:26) were delivered from the fire’s raging power.
The Hebrew term is El Elyon. Its purpose is to describe the God who is very high, lofty, exalted, supreme. Its task is to communicate Jehovah’s complete sovereignty and absolute supremacy. He is the Highest of the high. He is the Loftiest of the lofty. He is the owner and possessor of heaven and earth (Genesis 14:18) who rules in the kingdoms of men and appoints over it whomever He chooses (Daniel 5:21).
The Most High God swore to the Christ that He would sit at His right hand and rule in the midst of His enemies (Psalm 110:1-2). His people would be willing volunteers who gladly have chosen to submit to Him, and He would be a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:3-4). His sovereignty will be over every nation, and He will judge all people (Psalm 110:5-7).
No one—not kings and their armies—and no thing—not fiery infernos—can thwart the Most High God.
