“As soon as Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard how Joshua had captured Ai and had devoted it to destruction, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them, he feared greatly” (Joshua 10:1-2 ESV).
In the book of Book of Joshua, the author recorded how Adoni-zedek, whose name means “lord of righteousness,” gathered pagan kings to oppose Israel. His rule over Jerusalem stood in stark contrast to the earlier king, Melchizedek, whose name means “king of righteousness” and who served as a priest of God Most High. The writer of Hebrews later identified Melchizedek as a type of Christ, pointing to a greater and eternal King. Yet here in Joshua, a king bearing the name of righteousness led rebellion against God’s people. This tension reflected the ancient conflict first revealed in Genesis 3:15, between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. That same conflict has continued throughout history and was described in the Second Epistle of John 1:7 as the antichrist and in the Book of Revelation 13 as the beast.
We can recognize that not everyone who claims righteousness truly belongs to the Lord. Like Adoni-zedek, the evil one often raises up counterfeit-christs, deceivers who mislead and war against God’s people. Yet we can also recognize that the true King of righteousness is Jesus Christ. He is greater than Melchizedek and victorious over every enemy. Because of His cross and resurrection, the battle has already been won. We do not fight for victory but from victory. So we stand firm against the evil one, discerning truth from deception, and resting in Christ’s finished work. As we face spiritual opposition, we remain confident that we are overcomers in Him, faithfully recognizing the true King of righteousness, Jesus Christ!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for revealing the true King of righteousness in Your Son. Help us to discern what is false and to stand firm in what is true. Strengthen us to resist the enemy and to walk in the victory that Christ has already secured. In Jesus’ name, amen