“When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people. After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. And the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself." But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich.' I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share" (Genesis 14:14-24, ESV).
What attracts us usually?
Is there a person that caught our attention? Is it his/her appearance, or the attitude or behavior, or both, that we are interested?
Do we also find a particular place attractive? Or a certain job, career, or work?
But, why are we attracted?
We are attracted to anything or anyone, because we are interested not on its negative aspect. Rather, we are attracted of its goodness.
And what do we do, if we realize or see the goodness of something or someone? If it’s a place, we want to visit it and even live in it. If it’s a person, we want to be in his/her company, even be our life partner. If it’s a food, we want to eat again and again.
Today, we will explore our topic…ATTRACTED TO GOD’S GOODNESS, as we focus on our text (Gen. 14:14-24).
Will there be an effect, if someone has tasted or he is being attracted to the Goodness of God? Will he do something different, if he has some idea of Divine Goodness or Greatness? So, what could we observe on the person, who has been exposed or being drawn to a unique and higher level of experience – being attracted to God’s Goodness?
After the separation of Abraham and Lot, we read now in chapter 14 the first war recorded in the Scripture.
In the early verses of the chapter, we noted that four kings invaded the kings of the five cities. One of those cities was Sodom, wherein Abraham’s nephew was now residing.
“The conquerors thereupon plundered the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and carried off Lot, who dwelt in Sodom, and all his possessions, along with the rest of the captives…”
We see the initial ill-effect of the wrong choice of Lot living in sinful environment. But in our passage this time, we could also have a picture of one, who has been attracted to the goodness of God. And that was reflected in the character or action(s) displayed by Abraham.
What are those characteristics of one, who has been exposed or being attracted to the Goodness of God?
I – ACTIVE CONCERN FOR OTHERS (vv. 14-16).
We read verses 14-16, “When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.”
When Abraham realized that his nephew, Lot, was held captive, he led his men to save him at once. He did not just worry for his condition. He did not hesitate to help actively. But it was not a reckless or thoughtless action. He believed he could do something to help. He had “trained men,” who guarded and defended his possessions.
Though he did not know the number of his enemies, he could have trusted God that could bring victory to his men. So, they won. Lot was saved “with his possession, and the women and the people.”
So, when Abraham saw the helplessness of someone, he was not just concern about it. He acted to help. And swiftly.
This kind of attitude – the action to help without any hesitation -- is an outflow of the character of God Himself. In 2 Peter 3:9, we read, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
Even when He saw that mankind would need help to be saved from the penalty of sin in Eden, He foreordained or determined already before the foundation of the world, that His Son would pay for it (1 Peter 1:20). He was not only concerned about the condition of mankind because of sin. His plan to save was even before the help is needed.
And at the proper time, Jesus left the Heavenly comfort and came on earth to suffer and die, in order to save everyone who belonged to Him, everyone “He chose… before the foundation of the world…” (Eph. 1:4,) – to save “everyone whose name has… been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life” (Rev. 13:8).
In our present time, the same God who can see our immediate need is not only concern and feels it. He will surely act to help.
And that attitude would rub on any person, who is being attracted to His Goodness.
Is there a certain need of others that comes also to our attention, fellow believers or lovers of Jesus? Do we know that someone should be delivered from hardship? Do we see that our help is needed in our house, in our school, in our church, in our community, in our country?
As God shows us that need, does His attitude of willingness and readiness to help outflow over us? As we see the need, as we realize that something or someone should be assisted, what do we do? Do we even ask ourselves, “Is there anything I could do?”
Before, I related to you that I sent a book together with a letter to the former Philippine President Duterte. And I showed to you the letter of acknowledgement that I received from his office. Now, may I read to you a part of that letter signed by his Executive Secretary:
“Your steadfast support humbles the President and grants him the strength to endure the rigors of his public duty. He hopes that even beyond his term, you will continually make progress in your noble endeavors to lift up our nation’s leaders through your prayers.”
Yes, we need to fill that need. To pray for our leaders. Especially to pray for church leaders. To pray for our pastors, To pray for our church workers. To pray for our church. To pray for one another. To pray for our children, for our parents, even for those who offended us.
What need could you still see? As God makes you realize it, He will also provide the means to supply it. And do not hesitate to do it. Do it quick.
If a person is being attracted to God’s goodness, what else would he display?
II – ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF GOD’S RULE (vv. 17-20).
We read verses 17-20, “After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’ And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
The passage related that there was a king of Salem named Melchizedek. And He was priest of God. He declared that God Most High is the Possessor of heaven and earth. He declared further that God is the One who delivered the enemies into the hand of Abraham. It was not the skill of the trained men and the strategy of Abraham that resulted to victory.
And as Abraham realized the Greatness of God and what He did to him, he did not neglect to acknowledge Him.
It was clear to Abraham that God rules over all. He is the Owner of all things. He makes things happen and grants success to an endeavor. So, what did he do? He gave a tenth of everything of what he recovered from his enemies.
In Luke 12, Jesus related about a man who was successful in material things. Let’s read verses 16-21:
“And he told them a parable, saying, ‘The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, “What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?” And he said, “I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.’"
Unlike Abraham, the rich man failed to acknowledge God for his material success. When the man asked, “What shall I do…?” for his abundance, he did not recognize God. That God rules over all. God is the Owner of all things. That God is the One who makes good things to happen in our life. And He is the One who enables us to enjoy the good things that come to us.
Was the rich man able to enjoy his riches for long? God told him, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?”
Believers and lovers of Christ, do we remember God, not only in pain but also in pleasure?
When we are in difficulty, it is easy for us to think of Him and ask Him for His help. But if we are in abundance, do we also think and ask ourselves, “What shall I do now for God?” Or, do we just think of ourselves in the midst of our excesses? Excesses not only in possessions, but also in time, skills, talents, entertainments, and other favors available to us.
Should we not also ask, “What shall I do now for others, for my family, for my church, for my community, for my country?” And, most of all, “What shall I do now for God?”
Acknowledge that He is the Sovereign Ruler. Owner of all things. Sovereign Director of every success. And Sovereign Enabler of everyone to enjoy good things.
That could be in the mind of the poor widow in Mark 12. That’s why though she was poor and could only give a penny, she was able to contribute to the offering box everything she had (vv. 42-44).
Finally, if one is being attracted to the Goodness of God, what else would he display?
III – ABASEMENT OF THE SELF (vv. 21-24).
We read verses 21-24, “And the king of Sodom said to Abram, ‘Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.’ But Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, “I have made Abram rich.” I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.’”
The king of Sodom offered Abraham the possessions of the people that he recovered. However, he did not feel entitled. He did not regard himself as someone to be rewarded. As Abraham realized that God as the Ruler and Owner of all things, he took an oath he would not receive anything that God didn’t intend for him to have.
As Abraham saw a glimpse of God’s Greatness, he felt his insignificance. As he believed that God was the Owner of all things, he lived in reliance of God’s blessings.
Remember Job? He lost almost all he valued in his life. In the beginning, he accepted his suffering and even praised God. However, as his agony became intense and tended to prolong, he pointed out and extolled his upright deeds and knowledge about God. He argued that he didn’t deserve what was happening in his life.
When God spoke to him, God didn’t bother to explain His position. But in 4 chapters, He related to Job what He could do. And as Job realized the Sovereignty of God, I could feel how he was humbled, when he confessed to God in Job 42:2, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Also in verses 5-6, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes."
Now, that Job grasped the Greatness of God from His very Words, not just from what he heard from others, he realized his limited understanding of God and the filthiness of his human righteousness. Nothing he could boast before God.
So, he despised himself and repented. Because he humbled himself, we read in verse 12, “And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning…”
Believers or lovers of Jesus, we read in James 4:6, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
Who wants here to be opposed by God? We don’t want that to happen. But who wants to receive favors from the Source of Unlimited Blessings? So, be humble.
Until now, I could not forget the word used by an author to describe a particular Vice President of America. I could no longer remember the name of the public official. The writer called him, “self-effacing.” He would work or accomplish something and then he would withdraw from the scene. Even willing that others would take the credit.
Of course, as followers of Christ our model in humility is Christ Himself. Paul wrote in Philippians 2:5-8:
“Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death-even to death on a cross.”
He occupies the highest position – as God. But willing to work as a slave. And He is obedient – to suffer and die on the cross.
If we are humble, no matter how high is our position in society, we’ll be willing to perform the lowest kind of task. We will obey though it will inconvenience us.
But how can have the attitude of humility? Have a healthy knowledge of the Greatness of God. So, become familiar with His Word to know Him more.
CONCLUSION:
We sing, “God is good…” Perhaps, we could sing it with all our feelings, because of the physical favors that we experienced.
But do we think of the Goodness and Greatness of His Being? Do we think of the Divine Goodness of His Divine Majesty, the Glorious Goodness of Who He is?
Are we thrilled by the vastness of His Goodness that transcends the expanse of the physical universe?
Do we so love Him for the greatest good that He extended to us? He elected us, wrote down our names in the Book of life even before the foundation of the world, so we could be conformed to the image of Jesus, holy and obedient. Jesus came to seek and save us from our self-righteousness and be clothed with His own perfect righteousness.
Are we attracted to this Goodness of God? Then, we ought to have an active concern for others, acknowledgement of God’s rule, and abasement of the self.
