In these two chapters we have two amazing accounts - the first of Abram and how he routed a whole army with 318 men - and the second, we get our first real glimpse at what many feel is the pre-incarnate Christ - Melchizedek.
Verses 1 - 12
The city-kings around the Dead Sea paid tribute to kings to the north of Palestine. When the kings rebelled the kings from the north invaded through modern day Jordan on the east side of the Jordan River.
The battle took place to the north of Sodom in a valley on the SE corner of the Dead Sea.
After the battle - the armies took their loot and their prisoners and high-tailed it all the way to the northern portion of Israel to the city of Dan (which you can see parts of today in fact).
In the battle - they kidnapped Lot.
Verse 13
Abram lived near Hebron on the west side of the Jordan River.
Verses 14 - 16
This is a fantastic story - Abram takes these 318 guys. They didnt have standing armies - but they were trained and when war came they beat their plowshares into swords.
It is a super long journey from Hebron to Dan (hundreds of miles) - and most likely the kings of the north thought they had long outrun any pursuers and were busy getting drunk and partying down - so they were not in fighting shape when Abram descended on them by surprise.
I find it interesting that after being treated pretty poorly by Lot, Abram still risks his life. He could have said "well, Lot chose his lot so now hes got to deal with the circumstances." It is a mark of leadership - knowing when to get involved and then doing it decisively.
Verse 19 - 20
In this culture the more important blessed the less important. So here Melchizedek blesses Abram.
Melchizedek is a very unusual character. He was a gentile (not a Jew) and a Canaanite. He was a priest - in fact he was Abrams priest. He brings out bread and wine - remind you of something?
In Hebrews Chapter 5-6-7 we learn that Jesus Christ was not an Aaronic priest - but a priest "after the order of Melchizedek." It means that we are connected to Abram beyond the Mosaic Law - fantastic!
Melchizedek was not Jesus, though. That person is the (the pre-incarnate Christ) "Angel of the Lord" that well meet later on. Notice that Abram tithes to this king/priest - so he really is his pastor.
(Turn to Hebrews 7)
Who was this guy? We dont know. In fact, Hebrews says he had no genealogy. That means it wasnt recorded here in Genesis - unlike so many other important people.
This account here serves really to contrast what comes next:
Verses 21 - 24
Melchizedek offered bread and wine - and the acknowledgement that it was "God most high" that rescued Lot and delivered the enemies into Abrams hands.
The King of Sodom offers booty - probably with strings attached - with the acknowledgement that it was Abrams efforts that got him the victory.
Its a clear contrast between serving God and serving the world - between getting riches and prestige, yet submitting yourself to the ungodly - vs giving back to God and submitting to Him.
It really is tempting when the world puts out its bobbles and bangles and promises of wealth and fame - yet with that comes strings - saying things and acting in ways that do not glorify God. And its a false promise.
Hebrews 11:24-25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. (Moses)
1 Corinthians 6:12-13 "Everything is permissible for me"-but not everything is beneficial . "Everything is permissible for me"-but I will not be mastered by anything.
Titus 3:3-5 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us,
Abraham wouldnt accept anything from Sodom - a stand we should take from the world system as well. Eat your share - as Abram told the king to let the men have what theyd eaten - payment for duties if you will. But no rewards, no strings.
Chapter 15
So then after this great victory we find Abram in fear.
Verse 1
Why would Abram be afraid? Perhaps fearful that the kings of the north would return. Perhaps he was worried that he hadnt gotten the promise of the "offspring" that God had told him in Chapter 13 even though hed been in the Promised Land for a decade.
" Sometimes we are fearful, especially after a big victory - sort of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. God does not rebuke Abram for this - instead He comforts him.
" Paul the Apostle found himself in a similar situation in Corinth after he left the Jews and rented a hall next door.
Acts 18:9-11 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city ." 11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
So God tells Abram "I will be your shield your reward." Ill protect you from the kings coming back and Im still the source of your blessing. Is it okay to serve God for a reward? Yes - Hebrews 11 says that we must believe that God is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Youve got to know 1st that God is - believe Him as Abram did - believe His Word. Then 2nd: know that you are going to be rewarded. The difference is if we only served for what WE want out of it - instead of believing and serving to get what God would give us.
Verse 2-3
Abram questions God. Apparently there was a way in those days to bequeath your estate to a slave born in your house. Abram had apparently prepared that.
"You promise a reward but either I dont know what it is or you havent given me what I thought you were going to."
Is it okay to question God in this way? Yes. Its okay to check in - "God, am I doing what you want because I dont see coming about what I thought was going to happen."
Verses 4 - 6
God answers by telling Abram - "no, youre little plan here is not my answer" (Abram and Sarai had this problem again a little later." And He again reiterates the promise by taking him outside.
How could God take Abram outside? Must be the "Angel of the Lord" the pre-incarnate Christ.
In Chapter 13 God had Abram look around at the earth and said your offspring will be greater than the dust of the earth. This time he has Abram look up and told him that his offspring would be uncountable - like the stars of the heavens.
God could have said "I already told you, Ab" but God simply reminded Abram of His promise using a little different illustration.
No look at verse 6 - this is a key verse in this book and the entire Bible:
Verse 6
Something in Abrams soul changed and he believed what God said. God could have done it without Abrams belief but the fact that Abram had faith in what God said meant something.
In Romans 4:1-6 Paul uses this same story to tell us that even though we dont do anything - we can still be saved - simply by believing what God said.
Acts 16:31 "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."
Verses 7-8
Was it bad to ask God for a sign? No - Abram didnt have anything to go on. We have the Bible and the prophets and all the things God has done.
Verses 9-21
This might seem very strange to us - but it was common in those days. Notice several things.
1. Covenant actually comes form the word "to cut" and thus cutting the animals in half
2. You were saying "I should be like these animals if I break this covenant"
3. God was the only one who walked through - God is doing this without Abrams help just has He saves us without our assistance.
4. Abram was terrified - sometimes God has to really impress us in order to get our attention.
5. God says that they will go to a foreign land for the exact time they were in Egypt.
6. "The sins of the Amorites have not yet reached the full measure" This was the Canaanite people. God is very patient - he gave that debauched people plenty of time to repent - but they didnt. Even though Gods justice appears to move slowly - it grinds thoroughly.
Conclusions
" If you live surrounding yourself with sin - you are going to suffer the consequences. Lot got carried away with Sodom - Abram didnt. We dont go into a monastery - but we also dont tie ourselves to the world so that we are indistinguishable to the enemy
" Dont be impressed by the world - but give to God
" Its okay to be afraid - as long as you turn to God for answers
" Gods done it all for you - but do you believe it?
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