April 9, 2024
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Reading along with us in Genesis? Here’s today’s reading:
Genesis 14 (NIV)
Abram Rescues Lot
1 At the time when Amraphel was king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goyim, 2 these kings 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)……Continue Reading
Genesis 14 John 12
All the kings joined together.
For 12 years they were subjected to Kedorlaomer and on the 13th yr they rebelled. They conquered all territories. The 4 kings took everything from Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food. They also took Lot and his possessions. One of the men escaped and told Abram. Abram went with his trained men says ( born in his own household). Recoved all goods and brought Lot,women and people back. Abram refused to take anything from the king of Sodom since he had made an oath to God not to take anything given by him so he could not say I helped Abram get rich! Love how Abram is now following all of God’s instructions.
Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God! Incredible!
Out of nowhere, this man emerges into history, no past ancestry, no beginning, no end, no stated origin, brings a feast of Thanksgiving to Abram, in the name of the God who possesses heaven and earth! Abram is blessed! And Abram gave Melchizedek tithes. Awesome is our God and Savior, Jesus Christ! -reb
Psalm 110, John 8, Hebrews 7.
Genesis 14; 1 Corinthians 6-9
Genesis 14-15 and Mark 1.
Genesis 14
Genesis 14
God provides for Abram when he is faithful and obedient. God provides victory in battle. God provides this feast and blessing through Melchizedek. And Abram gives God the glory! Abram refuses the spoils of the battle from the King of Sodom. He wants it to be clear who he puts his trust in and who provides for him and that is God not man!
Melchizedek just an apparently random priest of God shows up. We know there was a plan and a purpose for his “type” in the future. It is interesting to think of other “random” people that enter the story of God, especially the story of God’s son.
”For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.“
Hebrews 7:1-3 NKJV
What an interesting account that depicts how things were like in Abram’s lifetime. Kings ruling an area they could control, but needing alliances to be safe from bigger kings….as wells certain rulers rising to the top. Lot gets swept up in battle and Abram shows himself to be an adept military strategist. It is not often wise to divide your forces, yet Abram saw the wisdom of it here and gained victory. And what a compelling individual Melchizedek the priest of God Most High is. Showing up here so he can be a symbol of what Christ would be in reality, having no beginning or end and seeming to have no ancestry. We also see the principle of giving 10% reflected here…an appropriate and fair share to show our trust and thanksgiving to God. And as is typical of us as well as Biblical characters, in the midst of failures, Abraham makes a good choice to not be dependent on this evil king, making sure all know it is God who is responsible for the blessings in Abram’s life, just as God promised to be.
Abraham was wise to have trained men on hand to protect his people. Lot however, was not. So Abraham must sacrifice his resources to save his nephew. His plan was successful, and God was glorified in the process. This should be the purpose of why we sacrifice ourselves for others. Not for wealth, recognition, power or prestige. It is that God be praised and glorified, period.
Genesis 14
Genesis 1-14