Abram and Melchizedek
May 19, 2024
Commentary
This chapter records the first battle in the Bible. It was between four powerful kings of the East and five Jordanian kings (vv. 1-2). The battle took place at the intersection of the Mediterranean – Mesopotamian caravan route (running East to West) and a highway running south to Sodom and Gomorrah. The five Jordanian kings had no thought of God, no repentance, no prayer – only the formation of alliances and the outfitting of armies (vv. 3-9). Contrary to all expectations, the defenses of the cities of the plain collapsed, and those lucky enough to survive the battle were soon in full flight (vv. 10-11). Lot, Abraham’s nephew was captured with all the rest (v. 12). At this time, Abraham was where God wanted him to be, dwelling in Hebron. He was paying careful attention to the news and was certainly concerned about his nephew Lot. When word reached Abraham that Lot had been captured, he immediately mobilized 318 of his own people and marched northward. He divided his small company and took advantage of the clouds by night. He smote with all his might. An incredible victory took place, and Lot and his family were rescued.
Abraham received a visit from two kings. First he king of Salem (vv. 17-20) came to bestow a blessing. Some authors believe this was an actual appearance of God Himself. At any rate, we know that his name was Melchizedek and that he was a believer in the Most High God. The other meeting was with the king of Sodom (vv. 21-24), who said, “Give me the persons and take the goods to thyself.” The king of Sodom wanted the souls, Abraham could have the spoils. Satan is still trying to get us to trade souls for spoils. Abraham would have no part in that offer.
Application
When I am faced with weaker brothers in Christ who are being carried away by hurtful lusts, what should I do, based on what Abraham did?
Genesis 14:1– 24 (NET)
1 At that time Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations 2 went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 These last five kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). 4 For twelve years they had served Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings who were his allies came and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in their hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is near the desert. 7 Then they attacked En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh) again, and they conquered all the territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazezon Tamar.
8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and prepared for battle. In the Valley of Siddim they met 9 Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar. Four kings fought against five. 10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits. When the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell into them, but some survivors fled to the hills. 11 The four victorious kings took all the possessions and food of Sodom and Gomorrah and left. 12 They also took Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions when they left, for Lot was living in Sodom.
13 A fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, the brother of Eshcol and Aner. (All these were allied by treaty with Abram.) 14 When Abram heard that his nephew had been taken captive, he mobilized his 318 trained men who had been born in his household, and he pursued the invaders as far as Dan. 15 Then, during the night, Abram divided his forces against them and defeated them. He chased them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. 16 He retrieved all the stolen property. He also brought back his nephew Lot and his possessions, as well as the women and the rest of the people.
17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet Abram in the Valley of Shaveh (known as the King’s Valley). 18 Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (Now he was the priest of the Most High God.) 19 He blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth.
20 Worthy of praise is the Most High God, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
21 Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and take the possessions for yourself.” 22 But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I raise my hand to the Lord, the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth, and vow 23 that I will take nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal. That way you can never say, ‘It is I who made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing except compensation for what the young men have eaten. As for the share of the men who went with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre—let them take their share.”
Illustration: As a Vine Chokes an Oak Tree so Will Sin Hinder Our Christian Life
I remember a massive oak tree on the farm where I grew up, and a vine covered its trunk. The vine started small and over the years the entire lower half of the tree was covered by it’s creepers. The mass was so thick that many birds had built their nests there. At this point the tree was in danger. This huge, oak tree was literally being taken over; the life was being squeezed from it. But my dad had seen the danger and had taken a saw and cut the trunk of the vine with one neat cut across the middle. A tangled mass of the vine’s branches still clung to the oak, but the vine was now dead. It would gradually become obvious as weeks passed and the creepers began to die and fall from the tree that there was victory over the vine. How easy it is for sin, which begins so small, to grow until it has a strangling grip on our lives. Christ’s death has cut the power of sin. The “creepers” of sin still cling and have some effect. But sin’s power is severed by Christ, and it gradually falls away. (Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).