At this point in Genesis, the book has shifted to the story of Abraham. In the first eleven chapters, we got a fast-moving look at the creation, the destruction of sin when it entered the world, the judgment of God through the flood, and the development of the nations after the flood.
But everything in Genesis, and all the Bible, is pointing towards the cross of Christ. A deliverer has been promised, and the question is when and how will that deliverer come? In Genesis 12, the family of Abraham is selected as the line which would bear the Savior.
Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:1–3, ESV).
So Abram went out and began journeying to the land God promised. He had taken his nephew, Lot, with him, and God's blessing was upon them. Soon, through various circumstances and God's sovereign provision, both Lot and Abram found themselves overseeing ever-expanding households. Their possessions and flocks and servants began to collide with one another, so it was decided they must separate from one another.
Though Abram was the elder, not to mention the one chosen by God, he meekly allowed Lot the first choice of land. Lot wanted the green pasturelands of the Jordanian valley, which left Abram in the land of Canaan. Privately, God told Abram all the land would belong to him and his descendants, and Abram waited for that day.
It would not be the last Abram heard of Lot, however, and the story in front of us reunites the pair. As a backdrop to this story, I want you to remember specific God had said to Abram. He'd said you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3). We know this promise would ultimately find fulfillment when Jesus came. A descendant of Abraham, Jesus became the vehicle by which God would bring his blessing upon the world.
But Abram will show us in this passage that the people of God do not expect the blessing to flow exclusively from Christ, but also from their own lives. Abraham looked forward to the cross, and as he did, he took steps to make sure his own life was a blessing. We look backward to the cross, and we should also make sure we take steps to live as blessings to our world. Jesus is the ultimate blessing, but we are to be extensions of him, his body on earth blessing our world. And Abram serves as a wonderful example for us on how to bless others. Let's look at four ways to bless others from this text.
1 In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, 2 these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).
4 Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the border of the wilderness. 7 Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh) and defeated all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who were dwelling in Hazazon-tamar.
8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim 9 with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five.
10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country.
Kings At War
The story before us presents four powerful kings who joined together to attack five weaker kings. It's possible we should already know which team God will support. The first group was headed by the king of Shinar, a place already linked with Babel (1, 10:10, 11:2, 9). So we might guess they had positioned themselves against God, and we'll see this play out throughout the passage.
Making alliances with other neighboring city-nations was common in that era. So was this type of international skirmish. And, though we don't know much about these kings from archeology, their names, nation sizes, alliances, and wartime tactics all fit that era.
It appears the cities near the Salt Sea (also known as the Dead Sea), had been subject to Chedorlaomer for twelve years, but rebelled from him in the thirteenth year (3, 4). So Chedorlaomer called on his alliances, and he and the kings who were with him came and routed many peoples together, before finally turning their attention to the five rebelling nations near the Dead Sea (8). The kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (that is, Zoar) joined battle against the stronger kings with Chedorlaomer (8-9). It was the stronger four kings against five (9).
The battle was fierce in the Valley of Siddim (10). So much so that in retreat, the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fell into (or perhaps hid) in the bitumen (or tar) pits common in that valley (10). They were likely dug out and used for construction throughout the region. Everyone else fled to the hill country (10).
11 So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. 12 They also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.
1. Prepare To Extend Mercy And Grace To Others (14:1-12)
Lot Caught Up
This is where the story catches our Moses' interest. Lot, the one who saw the Jordanian valley with his eyes and based his decision on what he saw, is now in trouble (12). The invading armies have taken him and his possessions (12). He is now destined to be a slave in foreign territory.
We are not supposed to be surprised. Lot and Abram show us that to make decisions by sight is costly, but walking by faith is beneficial. Already we learn that Lot's choice, despite appearances, was not the haven he thought it would be. His bubble has burst.
Additionally, God had promised Abram that he would bless those who blessed him, and curse those who dishonored him (Genesis 12:3). Lot had a chance to honor Abram by allowing him first choice at the land, but instead honored himself by taking what he thought to be the prime real-estate. And now, Lot finds himself in a cursed predicament.
Lot looked with his eyes when making his decision (Genesis 13). He is depicted as a man who did not pray, did not seek God's counsel, and made his decisions based on the flesh. He did not trust in the Lord with all his heart. He leaned on his own understanding. In all his ways, he did not acknowledge God. So God let him walk out his own steps, and the direction was dangerous.
Yet, what we'll see, is Abram spring into action to deliver Lot. Again, how had Lot gotten into this predicament? Through his own sin and folly. All this was entirely avoidable for Lot. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time because he didn't consult God. But rather than sit back and blame Lot for his situation, Abram stepped up to help his nephew.
If you want to be an extension of the blessing of Christ to this world, you have to prepare yourself to help those entangled in the error of their own ways. It is one thing to help people hurt by the sin of others, but another thing to help those who've hurt themselves through their own sin. For example, the Christian heart, and likely every heart, bleeds for children who have been abused. But we might not as naturally feel warmth or sympathy or compassion for someone who goes into bankruptcy due to habitual overspending and greed.
If you want God to use your life, however, you must be ready to become an instrument of mercy and grace to people in need. Even when their situation has been caused by their own decisions, as was the case with Lot, you must be ready to help. God has entrusted us with the message of reconciliation, so now we are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19-20).
Beware of a legalism growing within which says some people deserve the gospel while others do not. None of us deserves the grace of God, and none of us can approach God by our works. Everyone needs mercy and grace. Let's be vessels for God's mercy and grace to flow.
Let's move on to see Abram's response to the news of Lot's captivity.
13 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.
Abram Led Forth His Trained Men
After Lot was captured, someone escaped and told Abram what had happened (13). He was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite at the time, the brother of Eschol and Aner, allies of Abram (13). So the assumption is that when Abram heard about Lot's capture, he led forth his 318 trained men, but also his allies, to try to recover Lot. Abram divided his forces by night and chased Lot's captors all the way to the north end of Israel (Dan), and then another hundred miles to Hobah (14-15).
The picture is of a man who will stop at nothing to help his family. He is loyal to Lot, even though Lot was not loyal to him. Abram had heard God say that in him all the families of the earth would be blessed, and he surely believed this blessing would start with his own family members (Genesis 12:3).
2. Step Out In Faith (14:13-16)
If you want God to use your life, like Abram, you must be prepared to step out in faith. Though the odds were against him, Abram was victorious. The five kings couldn't stand against the power of the four kings, but Abram could. He brought back all the captured possessions, including Lot and his possessions.
Abram's victory would've greatly heartened the people of Israel and should encourage us as well. Why? For a few reasons.
Against The Odds
First, Abram was victorious even though his forces were small in number. We don't know how powerful his allies were, but the mention of Abram's 318 trained men is meant to impress us with Abram's household, but also with the small nature of his army against four victorious kings. But the battle belongs to the Lord! (Proverbs 21:31).
To Israel, God said a result of their obedience to him would be:
Leviticus 26:7–8 (ESV) — 7 You shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. 8 Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand, and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.
So this story from Abram's early life would encourage Israel that even with small numbers, they could be victorious when they arrived in the Promised Land. And, though we have a different fight, one that is more spiritual in nature, we too should be encouraged that if we are walking in the light, the power of God resides upon us. He will strengthen us for the spiritual fight he's called us to.
For What God Has Given
Second, Abram was victorious while in the land of promise. He is presented as running all through the Promised Land, vanquishing his enemies and recovering all that has been lost. The original Hebrew, the first use of the title in Genesis, conquered (13). And the Hebrew people were eventually enslaved in Egypt, so it would have encouraged them greatly to know of Abram's victory while in the land.
How would a formerly enslaved and subjugated people win victory for themselves? They were not warriors. They didn't have advanced weaponry. But, as long as they fought for and in that promised land, God would grant them victory. They saw it first in Abram.
And God has given us territory as his people. Our own bodies and minds, for one. But also our relationships and responsibilities. God's power is there for us to help us overcome. Too often, believers succumb to the spirit of the age and become victimologists who blame everyone and everything else for their feelings of helplessness, despair, and passivity. Too often, we give up too easily. God wants you to fight for what is yours -- your marriage, your family, your holiness. Fight! That land is yours.
Ephesians 6:13 (ESV) — 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
To Restore That Which Was Lost
Abram's act of faith led to an amazing victory: Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people (16). Everything that had been lost was now recovered.
This is something we are often shooting for when it comes to acts of faith. Through sin, people lose innocence and relationships, decades and opportunities. But when we fight in faith to help others, we will soon find ourselves helping people recover that which was lost. Jesus can restore the lost years, grant forgiveness, and remove the stain of shame. Jesus restores.
There is a great example of God's restorative hand in the book of Joel. There, the people of Israel fell under the judgment of God because of decades of rebellion. God promised locusts would come and devour their lands. But restoration would also come. God said:
"I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you." (Joel 2:25, ESV).
Though we sometimes fall under the consequences of our actions, our God is a restorer. And he is looking for people of faith, people like Abram, to aid in his recovery process in people's lives.
17 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 king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)
Two Kings Greet Abram
So following his victory over the foreign invaders, Abram returned with the kings who were with him (17). As he came back, two appreciative kings came out to meet with him, the king of Sodom and the king of Salem (17-18). Both were thankful to Abram for the way he had defended them and recovered what they lost in warfare. It is likely they had been oppressed for years by the invading kings, so Abram is now the hero who has delivered them from their struggle. Peace came from Abram's sword -- he has become a blessing to city-states, to nations (Genesis 12:3).
These two kings could not be more opposite. The king of Salem is presented as priest of God Most High (18). He came out with a communal meal of bread and wine, indicative of a peace agreement (18). His name is Melchizedek, which means king of righteousness. He rules over Salem, which is likely ancient Jerusalem (see Psalm 76:2).
The other king is Melchizedek's opposite. He rules over Sodom, a city whose citizens have already been described as wicked, great sinners against the LORD (17, Genesis 13:13).
This meeting of Abram and Melchizedek is one of the most intriguing meetings in the whole Bible. Who is Melchizedek? Where is he from? What is the significance of his interaction with Abram? I will try to answer some of these questions, but first, let's observe the meeting.
19 And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Blesser Of Abram
As readers of Genesis, we have learned to admire Abram. His life was meant to be a blessing to the whole world. But, now, Melchizedek surprises us by being the one to bless Abram. He was called priest of God Most High (18). And now he pronounces a priestly blessing upon Abram. Once the Levitical priesthood was established, they would deliver the Aaronic blessing upon Israel:
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24–26, ESV).
But, many years before Aaron was even born, Melchizedek came along as the priest of God and said over Abram, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High" (19). And he wasn't a priest of a mere pagan deity, or else Abram would not have responded the way he did, as we'll see in a moment. No, Melchizedek was a man who knew the God of the Bible and served as his representative on earth.
Abraham Tithed
Abram recognized Melchizedek as his spiritual superior, which is why he gave him a tenth of everything (20). This would become more commonly known as a tithe, and the tithe became a massive part of Israel's worship of God. Here, though, Abram was not giving a tithe to the Levitical priests, because their priesthood had not even been imagined during Abram's life. Instead, he gave his tithe to Melchizedek.
I will take this moment to admit that this passage has had an influence on my life. Christians have often asked if the giving of the tithe is no longer biblically required because Jesus fulfilled Israel's ceremonial law. We don't offer animal sacrifices -- the logic goes -- because Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice to which those animals sacrifices pointed. Tithing, some would say, has also been fulfilled in Jesus.
But Abram's tithe to Melchizedek predated the law entirely. So, while I believe the Christian mandate is to be as generous as we possibly can, with Jesus as our model, my personal conviction is that the tithe stands as a principle, partly because Abram practiced it before the law was instituted. So, for me, the giving of a tenth to God has always been the starting place for generosity. And I've lived to tell the tale! God has truly been good.
Jesus!
We might be tempted to think little more about Abram's encounter with Melchizedek. He will not show up again in Genesis. In fact, he will only show up in two additional books of the Bible. Many years after this event, David would write of the future Messiah/Christ:
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." (Psalm 110:4, ESV).
Then, nothing more is said of Melchizedek until the book of Hebrews. There, Jewish Christians were tempted to abandon Jesus by returning to the sacrificial system. They were downplaying and watering down Jesus' identity. And one objection they had related to the claim that Jesus is now serving as our Great High Priest. How could Jesus be our priest? He came from the tribe of Judah, a descendant of David. He was not of the tribe of Levi, a descendant of Aaron. How could he be our High Priest?
But the author to the Hebrews announced that Jesus has:
become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:20, ESV).
Did you catch that? Jesus is not our high priest through Levi's line but through a connection to Melchizedek. In fact, Hebrews tells us the Levitical priesthood was inferior to Melchizedek's because of Abraham's tithe to Melchizedek. Melchizedek was the only person whom Abram recognized as his spiritual superior. In a way, the Levitical priesthood gave tithes to Melchizedek's priesthood through Abraham, indicating Melchizedek's priesthood is superior.
One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. (Hebrews 7:9–10, ESV).
So Jesus is our high priest according to this Melchizedekian order. This has led many to wonder about Melchizedek's identity, with some going so far as to say he was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. This speculation is further fueled by the following statement in Hebrews:
"(Melchizedek) is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever." (Hebrews 7:3, ESV).
That Melchizedek had neither father nor mother nor genealogy, with no beginning of days nor end of life, has caused many to say he did more than resemble Jesus. Some think he was Jesus appearing on the pages of the Old Testament. I will leave it to you to decide if you think Melchizedek was pre-incarnate Jesus Christ or merely a mysterious man who was on the biblical scene for a brief moment. But they do share a priesthood, and because of that shared priesthood, they have many similarities. Let's recount a few:
i. Righteousness And Peace
Melchizedek's name means "king of righteousness." But he was also the king of Salem (18). Salem means "peace," so he was also the "king of peace." This is the precise order Moses used when talking about Melchizedek. He is first known to the reader as the king of righteousness, and next as the king of peace.
This is the order Christ brought to humanity. You cannot have the peace of God until you've received the righteousness of God. Once the enmity or war between yourself and God is over, once he deposits his righteousness into your body, you will experience his peace. Furthermore, every Christian knows what it's like to live in the unsettled state of unrighteousness. When we walk in darkness, we become uncomfortable because the peace of God begins evaporating from our lives. To have a position and participation in God's peace requires God's righteousness. Jesus is the king of both, righteousness first, and then the peace.
ii. The King-Priest
Melchizedek was more than a king. He was also priest of God Most High (18). One reason this is fascinating is that you would never find this dual role in Israel. Kings could not be priests. Priests could not be kings. Even great kings in Israel could not take the priestly position for themselves. King Uzziah tried to become a priest, and leprosy broke out (2 Chronicles 26:19). Kings came from David's line. Priests came from Aaron's. You could not mix the two.
But, like Melchizedek, Jesus came along as a King-Priest. He is King from David, and priest from Melchizedek. This mix in Jesus is wonderful. Priests are concerned with humanity's relationship with God (sin, forgiveness, prayers, etc.). Kings are concerned with building and governing justly and righteously (justice, defense, expansion, etc.). Priests are concerned with being made good in God's sight. Kings are concerned with doing God in God's sight. Jesus does both!
iii. Worthy Of Sacrifice
Melchizedek returned Abram's sacrifice to him in the form of a blessing. The blessing of the priest of God Most High was of infinite value, and it served to confirm the great plan God had for Abram.
Similarly, anything we give to Jesus, our Melchizedekian priest, will return to us in the form of his blessing. When you give your life -- your time, energy, abilities, and treasure -- to Christ, it turns into a blessing. Like Melchizedek, he is worthy of sacrifice. And when you sow to him bountifully, you will also reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6). He has a way of returning blessing upon you.
iv. International Priest
Finally, Melchizedek was priest of God Most High. The Levitical priests served God by serving Israel, but Melchizedek had no people or nation he'd come from. He was without, as Hebrews says, genealogy. He was on earth as a priest for anyone who wanted God.
Jesus does the same. Like Melchizedek, he is an international priest. His ministry is not confined to Israel but is designed to break through to every tribe and nation and language. Though the Christ would come from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, he would be for all the citizens of the earth. Whoever believes in him may come (John 3:16).
After noticing their similarities, I want to focus on the simple reality of our Genesis passage. Here's Abram. He is used by God to deliver Lot from his captivity. He is a rescuer. He extended grace and mercy to his nephew. He stepped out in faith. But, here, he was in a relationship with the priest of God Most High. An exchange took place.
3. Have A Constant Exchange With God (14:17-20)
Let me encourage you today. Like Abram, you can encounter the Priest Of God Most High. Jesus came out to you, not because of a victory you won, but because of the victory he won. He is the King of Righteousness and Peace, and he deposited righteousness into your account so you could be at peace with God. He is a King-Priest, concerned with purifying your life, but also with establishing his good rule and reign through your life. He is worthy of sacrifice -- you cannot outgive Jesus! Even when you lose your life for his sake and the gospel's, you find your life. He abundantly gives to the giver. And he is the priest who brought the international message of the gospel. Everyone must know him!
And, just as Abram exchanged with Melchizedek, I encourage you to have a constant exchange with God. He has paved the way for you to enjoy him. Access is yours, and the possibilities are immense. Don't neglect this great relationship. Like Abram, give yourself to the Lord. Especially if, like Abram, you want God to use your life to help others. To live a ministry life, you'll need the healing salve of a personal relationship with God.
Before I let you go, let's look at the last movement of our passage.
21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself." 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich.' 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share."
The King Of Sodom's Offer
After his encounter with Melchizedek, the king of Salem, Abram had a meeting with the king of Sodom (21). He made Abram a tempting offer: "Give me the persons," he said, "But take the goods for yourself" (21). He wanted to give Abram the wealth of Sodom because he saved the people of Sodom.
A Test
Abram seems to have sensed this was a test. He had received riches from Pharaoh in Egypt, but this was a different situation. Sodom was known for its unrighteousness (they were "great sinners against the Lord", Genesis 13:13). Abram could not have the wicked king of Sodom saying, "I have made Abram rich" (23). He had sworn as much to the Lord, God Most High (22). And, since God is the Possessor of heaven and earth, and since Abram had God, he did not need Sodom's wealth. He would let his young men -- Aner, Eschol, and Mamre -- eat. But beyond their share, Abram wouldn't touch Sodom's spoils.
This is meant to be seen as a test Abram passed. He would have been tempted to build his household and empire with means outside God's blessing, but here he resists. He would let God be his provider. He would not compromise in order to maintain his household.
In closing, Abram became a template for future believers who want to be similarly used by God. Part of the reason Abram was such a blessing to Lot was because of his unshakable reliance on God. He refused to receive support from the wrong places.
4. Refuse Support From The Wrong Sources (14:21-24)
We must do the same if we want God to use our lives. The temptation to cut corners and get the job done without God is ever-present. The pull of riches is constant. Jesus called them the deceitfulness of riches (Mark 4:19). But faith looks beyond the temporal and into the divine. Faith does not turn to the world for guidance, answers, companionship, or provision. Faith receives its support from God.
So Abram was a blessing to Lot. God had made him into a blessing, and God wants to do the same through you. He wants his gospel of grace and mercy to flow through you. He wants you to step out in faith, battling for others. He wants to draw you into a constant exchange with himself. And he wants you to refuse support from the wrong places, and instead turn to him for everything you need.