A major image in Seder 116 is the rod or scepter, a symbol of leadership and rulership (Num 17; Ps 125:3; Isa 10:10, 24). This symbol appears in prophecies of the rule of the Messiah (Ps 2:9; 110:2).
In Psalm 110, seen by New Testament authors as a key messianic prophecy, there is a cryptic reference to the Messiah being "a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek" (verse 4). I have discussed this reference in a previous post. In a sermon at Church of the Messiah on Sept 10, 2022, Kyle Kettering presented more on Melchizedek.
Kyle explained that because of Psalm 110:4, there was widespread speculation about the identity of Melchizedek during the Second Temple period, as seen in texts like 11QMelch and 2 Enoch. The latter presents Melchizedek as the product of a miraculous birth to Sopanim, wife of Methuselah's grandson Nir. Melchizedek was often seen as a supernatural, exalted figure. Kyle mentioned a third-century Christian sect called the Melchizedekians that saw Melchizedek as a heavenly power superior to Jesus!
Some Christians have held Melchizedek to be a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of the Messiah. Others argue against this view. James Borland, who believed that a number of appearances of the angel of the Lord were Christophanies, argued that Melchizedek did not fit the pattern of these other appearances. Rather, Genesis seems to present Melchizedek as a Jebusite priest-king.
Some confusion can result from misunderstanding the argument of Hebrews 7. The author of Hebrews is not saying that Melchizedek is an eternal being. Rather, he is saying that Melchizedek is a fitting type and forerunner of the Messiah (who is an eternal being) because there is no record of his birth or death. Kyle pointed out that a major thrust of the book of Hebrews is the superiority of the Messiah to all people and angels.
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