Read: Genesis 14
Chapter
fourteen begins with an alliance of four kings making war against the five
kings that lived near each other in the Jordan Valley in the cities of Sodom,
Gomarrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Zoar (v. 1-3).
Apparently the cities had been paying tribute money for twelve years and
in the thirteenth year they rebelled and refused to pay the tribute so the next
year they were attacked (v. 4-7). The
alliance of four kings conquered everyone who stood in their way, seizing all
the possessions and provisions (v. 11).
They also took Lot and all his possessions (v. 12). One person escapes this battle and tells
Abram what had happened. Abram’s
response was to gather 318 of his servants and pursue them (v. 13-14). Abram brought back all the possessions that
they plundered, his relative Lot with all Lot’s possessions and the women and
the people (v. 16). The most significant
event of this chapter occurs on Abram’s return from the rescue of Lot. He is met on his return by two people – the
king of Sodom and Melchizedek, the king of Salem. Melchizedek is compared to Christ in Hebrews
5, 7 and 8; Jesus is said to be a priest after the order of Melchizedek. The superiority of Jesus over the priests of
Aaron is demonstrated in the fact that Abraham and all his descendants paid
homage to Melchizedek by giving him a tenth of the spoils (v. 20). Melchizedek was both priest and king. Jesus was also both priest and King, but He
is forever both. So we can see how
Melchizedek was an extremely important person even though he is mentioned once
in the Old Testament. Melchizedek
provides Abram and his men with a meal (v. 17-18). He then blesses Abram’s victory, attributing
the victory to the power of God (v. 19-20).
Abram then gives Melchizedek a tithe of ten percent (v. 20). The king of
Sodom asks Abram for the return of the people and offers to Abram the goods
plundered which Abram was returning (v. 21). But Abram refused to accept this
generous offer (v. 23) but allowed his men to take what was rightfully theirs
(v. 24). It is important to note that
Abram didn’t go after the enemy to seize plunder rather he wanted to save his
nephew Lot. We already know that Lot foolishly chose the more fertile land
without considering the long term effects of this decision. Now his life was in danger. For Abram, going to war was an issue of
saving his family member and was not about gaining wealth or riches. Here we see evidence that Abram was not
bitter towards Lot for taking the best land.
This also shows that he had great faith in God as he only took 318 men
to fight the armies of four kings who just overtook vast regions. Abram came back from battle the victor
because God was with him. Melchizedek
noted this and gave the glory to God. Abram’s response was to give Melchizedek
a tenth of everything. Abram’s tithe was
tangible proof that Abram understood that it was God who deserved the
glory. On the other hand, the king of
Sodom proposed that Abram keep the plunder from the battle, this would be a
reward for his accomplishments. So why
did Abram refuse? Abram did not go to
war for riches; it was to save the innocent, to save his family member. Abram showed that he was not greedy for
personal gain but that He desired that his riches come from the Lord and not
from war.
Prayer and Journaling
1. Earlier
we read of the danger that Lot put himself in by choosing the better land and
now we see that the company a person keeps is not an indifferent thing – it
will either bring him/her to salvation or destruction. Ask the Lord to show you if you have any
relationships in your life that are causing you to be complacent or apathetic
towards God. Are there any people in
your life who drag you down spiritually?
What is He asking you to do about this?
2. In
this account we find Abram arming his men and attacking a victorious army
showing his strength and courage. His
motive was saving his nephew Lot, the guy who had taken the best land. We can see by Abram’s actions that he not
only forgave Lot’s offense but that he repaid evil with good. Ask the Lord to show you if there is anyone
in your life who you are struggling to forgive.
What is the next step in forgiving this person so that you can repay
evil with good?
3. Abram
went to war with the motive to repel aggression and to rescue the innocent from
suffering, not for the purpose of plunder or the extension of his
territories. Pray that believers would
have a heart for the innocent, for the orphan and the widow. Pray that works of love would be seen all
throughout the church.
