Last week we studied the passage in Genesis 13:3-18 where we saw that Abram and Lot were prospering, so much so that they needed to expand their territory and go their separate ways. Throughout this transition, Abram stayed close to God and learned to settle things God’s way. Lot on other hand moved farther from God and closer to Sodom in pursuit of prosperity.
Today, we will be looking at Genesis 14 and how Abram was now contently settled in Hebron, worshiping God at the newly-built altar. His nephew Lot however settled in Sodom (13:12, 14:12). When Lot made his initial move to Sodom he had no idea that he moved to a very dangerous place spiritually and politically.
What we see recorded in the first 16 verses of chapter 14, is that the King Chedorlaomer of Elam, in alliance with the three kings of the s-east, went to war against the five kings of the south because they refused to continue paying tribute/tax to him. As these four kings were coming down to vanquish the five kings of the south, they were conquering other small kingdoms along the way and made their way to the area of what is today, the Dead Sea. These four kings conquered the five kings of the south (including the kingdoms of Sodom and Gomorrah), pillaged them - taking the people and all their goods except for those who fled to the hill country.
One of the survivors from the battle runs to tell Abram (who is now living in Hebron) about all that transpired and how Lot was also taken captive. Abram could easily have decided to do nothing, rationalizing how Lot had made his choices and was now reaping the consequences.
But instead of taking a negative stance towards Lot, Abram chose to take action to rescue him. He gathered all his men, over 300 trained, discipled servants along with those with whom he made alliances with and went to war against the kings of the Northeastern region. He divided his forces, deployed them, ambushed the kings by night and defeated them all. Afterward, Abram brought Lot, all the people, along with all their possessions and the spoils of the defeated kings with him. Let’s read from there, starting at verse 17.
Let’s turn to Genesis 14:17-24
17 Then 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). 18 And Melchizedek the king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said,
Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be God Most High,
Who has handed over your enemies to you.”
And he gave him a tenth of everything. 21 Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me and take the possessions for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, so that you do not say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their share.”
We can see three things in this passage. A:
Spiritual/Transformational Encounter, a
Natural/Transactional Encounter, and
Wisdom to discern the difference
Let’s look at the first encounter between Melkizedek and Abram.
It was a Spiritual/Transformational Encounter
Abram was returning from the victory with the plunder and met the king of Sodom and Salem in the valley of the kings. What is interesting to note is the difference in attitude of the two kings. In verse 18, when Melchizedek went out to meet Abram he brought bread and wine, which indicated that he had prepared a feast, a royal banquet in order to bless Abram and to celebrate God’s sovereign victory over the enemies. Melchizedek was a king and priest of the most high God from Salem whose name meant “My King of righteousness.” Salem means a place of fullness, completeness or restoration (peace). Even though Melchizadek was a Canaanite king, he recognized and worshiped the one true Creator God.
Archeology sheds some light on Melchizedek's belief in the God of Abram. For example, in 1929, a library of clay tablets was discovered by archaeologists in Ras Shamra (present day Syria), revealing the history of this Canaanite region over the centuries. These tablets described such things as the history of their trade and commerce, their relationships with other kingdoms, and how and what the people of this region worshiped. At the time of Abram, these people were worshiping the supreme God El and the little Baal the god of rain and thunder, who supposedly brought fertility to the land.
However, at an earlier period it was recorded that these same people in this region worshiped the one true God but instead of calling Him Yahweh they called Him El. El was described as an aged god with white hair, seated on a throne and was sovereign over the other gods. From the time of Abram (approx. 1800 BC) till 1200 BC, the Canaanites had begun to abandon the one true God and began to worship all the forces of nature - particularly the rain god.
Melchizedek was probably one of the few kings of that region who still believed in the One true God. Melchezidek blessed Abram by the God Most High, the Creator of heaven and earth. This name El means that God is the source of all power, might and strength, He is the source of life and joy in trials, not some distant deity, but One who is intimately involved in this present reality. He is the ruler over all. We are not sure why Melchizedek was even there, he had nothing to do with the battles, yet he shows up right next to Bera King of Sodom. He was the first to speak, reminding Abram that your God is the reason you are blessed because He gave you victory, not your armies or tactics. I believe God sent Melchizedek not only to bless Abram but to remind him that everything he has or has done comes from God. That God is the source of your blessing. What was Abram’s response?
Abram received that blessing and recognizes Melchizedek as a legitimate priest and king of His God and gives a tenth of all the spoils to Him. There was no law or requirement for tithing 10% of produce or earnings at that time but Abram gave an offering to Melchizedek freely. And he gave it because of his faith, in honor of the Lord most High for the victory. This was not an annual thing Abram did - but it set a precedence for the Israelites to follow. Personally we have a conviction to tithe, from our income and from any gifts we have received because we want to honor the Lord first. In the NT we give out of our abundance and ability, not out of compulsion or guilt to the Lord. Abram's encounter with Melkizedek was spiritual, they were on the same page and had the same life, worshiped the same God. Abrams encounter was also transformational-. Do you remember what happened to Zacheaous the tax collector when he met Jesus (Luke 19)? Ever meet someone like that? Do you have friendships like that?
The second encounter Abram has is with the Bera, king of Sodom which was a:
Natural/Transactional Encounter
Bera, king of Sodom, came out to meet Abram with nothing in hand, no words of thanks or blessing, no recognition of any god. His unnatural lack of gratitude and focus on the spoils of war provide an indication of the darkness and depravity of Sodom. In an audacious way, he commanded Abram to give him back his people and to keep the spoils for himself.
This defeated king thought he had the right to dictate the terms of what Abram should do with what he had. Indirectly, if it wasn’t for Lot, this king would still have nothing.He gives no credit to Abram or any god. He was not interested in the spoils but as the Hebrew brings out, he demanded the “souls”- he wanted to take the souls to Sodom. People would rebuild his kingdom.
This is such a picture of the battle for souls - Satan who is defeated is still trying to dictate to us how we should live and what we should do with what we possess, he wants power over souls. Satan is not interested in money, he is interested in souls, the love of money, self-promotion, the promise of success are only vehicles to get to souls. So when the King of Sodom said, “take the spoil for yourself” Abram knew there would be some strings attached to it, the king wanted to have some power over Abram. This was an even bigger test of Abram’s faith. Even though he had a right to share in the spoil, he would not make the same mistake of entering into a transactional relationship with a ruler or king. Abram would not take the bait. That is why he said “I will not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, so that you do not say, ‘I have made Abram rich.” Abram was saying I don’t want anything to do with you, I don’t want your wealth, possessions or any connections that would make me subservient to you or to become like you.God is the source of my blessing. Abram didn’t want the influence of Sodom and Gomorrah - that is rebellion and unrighteousness in his life. He said “I made a vow to the God most high not to you.” I don’t take orders from you, I don’t follow your advice, you cannot sway me with your offer, you cannot bribe me for the souls of these people, I obey God alone. Even if I would gain the whole world it is not worth losing my soul forever.
Abram had a conviction and he kept it even when it looked like he was giving up a golden opportunity. He did what was right and necessary not for what he could gain but that God’s name would be glorified in the midst of his unbelieving neighbors. He didn’t like where King Bera’s generous proposition would lead him and that’s why he didn’t take it. That is why we need to have the…
Wisdom to discern the difference
Just like Abram gave up a piece of land to Lot for a greater promise from God, now he was being tested on the prospect of receiving a seemingly significantly greater gift. He might have been tempted to take the lesser option but he made a vow to the most high God and trusted Him for the greater blessing. He wouldn’t settle for second best, he didn’t sell himself short for what Bera offered but was willing to walk in integrity and wait by faith. He didn’t let this offer distract him, influence his decisions, or compromise his convictions, or his trust in the Lord.
Can you imagine what some of his friends might have been saying. “Come on Abram, a chance like this will never come by again - better take it while you can.” Unfortunately, when a good opportunity presents itself, many choose this tactic: Act first, pray later.
Abram refused to receive anything from Bera because represented a system that offers a natural solution to everything with an attitude of self serving entitlement and self-sufficiency. There is no need for transformation, no need for faith or God.
On the other hand, the blessing that Abraham received from Melchizadek (a king and priest) was a blessing that came from the God most High. Melchizedek in Psalm 110 and Hebrews 7 is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ - the future eternal King and High Priest. Jesus who is God comes in the flesh and as our high priest identifies with and understands us, and always brings our needs before His Father God. Through His perfect sacrifice, we can be reconciled back to God and experience completeness, wholeness and restoration (peace with God). As King - He will be victorious over sin and death and bring genuine peace on the earth. When you meet Jesus
When Abram met Melchizedek, Melchizedek pointed Abram to the God Most high-this is the God you worship, He is your source of strength and He is your source of life and Joy in the trials. It is God you follow, this is the God who gives you victory - that relationship was spiritual and transformational. He is your greatest blessing, not your riches, not your reputation.
Abram believed this and went back to Hebron while Lot went to Sodom. Some might have thought that Abram gave up a golden opportunity but God comforts him in capt 15 and says in essence, don’t worry, what you left behind is nothing compared to what is waiting for you, because your reward will be far far greater.
