Article September 29, 1923 Issue

Abraham and Melchizedek

WARWICK A. TYLER

It is becoming very well known that the historical portions of the Bible have a spiritual as well as a literal significance. If this were not so, the Old Testament would be of comparatively little value to mortals. Instead of being the daily companion of an unnumbered host, as the Bible now is, it would be of interest only as the history of an ancient people. Many Bible readers make the mistake of supposing that these historical narratives are merely the evidence of the exercise of divine power to a particular person or people in a far-off place a long time ago. It is reasonable to conclude, however, from the evidence, that under like circumstances obedience to God will produce similar results to-day; and the student of Christian Science perceives that since God and His creation are the same "yesterday, and to day, and for ever," these episodes may have counterparts in his own individual experience.

Take, for example, the warfare between the four kings and the five kings described in the fourteenth chapter of Genesis. Considered literally, it signifies nothing more than a feud between neighboring tribes, in which the patriarch Lot was so unfortunate as to be involved, and from which he was rescued by his kinsman Abraham. The writer pondered this narrative one day, seeking to extract a present-day application from it. Upon research it was found that the name of one of the four kings had some connection with the worship of fire. This directed attention to the "elements" of the ancient philosophers; and it was remembered that these elements were supposed by them to be earth, air, fire, and water, which might be said to be typified by the alliance of the four kings. Pondering the possible significance of the other alliance, the number five seemed to rivet attention. What were these five which seemed to be waging unsuccessful warfare against the so-called material elements? Might they not, like the stones in David's pouch, typify the five physical senses?

The writer is well aware of the unwisdom of forcing conclusions in the interpretation of Scripture. Mind may have many lessons to teach from each narrative. However, there is this to be said regarding the above incident: the experience of Lot and his friends in the cities of the plain shows them to have dwelt almost contimually in the belief that pleasure was to be derived from indulgence of the five physical senses; and it is not surprising that they should have become an easy prey to the assaults of the claims of life, truth, intelligence, and substance as existent in matter. Ah! but one was sufficiently alert to escape, and he appealed to Abraham. Now "Abraham," according to Mrs. Eddy in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 579), signifies "fidelity; faith in the divine Life and in the eternal Principle of being." "This patriarch," Mrs. Eddy continues, "illustrated the purpose of Love to create trust in good, and showed the life-preserving power of spiritual understanding."

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