A Cup of Blessing

Genesis 14:18-20a


King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

Melchizedek, priest of God Most High, offers a cup of blessing to God Most High and calls down a blessing upon Abraham. Until that time, sacrifices to the gods were always live animals or in some cases even human sacrifices.  Yet Melchizedek offers bread and wine to God Most High. This becomes a sign that these simple gifts are indeed worthy of God. It also becomes clear that these simple gifts can bestow upon us a blessing, for it is clear that Abraham was indeed richly blessed by God when this cup of blessing was offered to God.