Courage of Abraham
Genesis 14. Whereas chapter 12 revealed the Call of Abraham and chapter 13 revealed the Conflict of Abraham, chapter 14 reveals the Courage of Abraham. A coalition of kings, including the king of Sodom, rebelled against the king of Elam and his allies. Abram's nephew Lot was taken captive along with the other citizens of Sodom. When Abram heard that his nephew was taken away as a prisoner of war, he armed his 318 trained servants to go on this rescue mission to get Lot back. The 'special operation' was successful and Abram returned victorious. That's when he faced a new battle.
When Abram returned he was met by two kings: Bera, King of Sodom, and Melchizedek, King of Salem. Bera offered Abram all the spoils in return for the people, while Melchizedek gave Abram bread and wine. Abram rejected Bera's offer but accepted the bread and wine from Melchizedek and gave him tithes of the spoils.
Abram had to choose between two kings who represented two opposite ways of life. Sodom was a wicked city, and Bera, its king, represented the dominion of the this world system with its appeal to the flesh. Bera means 'gift' suggesting that the world bargins for your allegiance. But Sodom means 'burning', so be carful how you choose. If you bow down to Bera, everything you live for will burn up one day. That's what happened to Lot.
Melchizedek means 'king of righteousness', and Salem means 'peace'. Hebrews 7 and Psalm 110 both connect Melchizedek with Jesus Christ, the "King of Peace" and the "King of Righteousness". So when Abram rejected Bera and accepted Melchizedek, he was making a statement of faith, saying "Take the world, but give me Jesus". Lot should have made the same decision, but he chose to return to his life of compromise.
Which king are you choosing today? Who will you serve? The 'king' (ruler) of this world or the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Matt.6:24). Choose Christ today. (1)
(1) Much indebted to Warren Wiersbe, Wiersbe Bible Commentary OT, vol.1, for these thoughts today.
When Abram returned he was met by two kings: Bera, King of Sodom, and Melchizedek, King of Salem. Bera offered Abram all the spoils in return for the people, while Melchizedek gave Abram bread and wine. Abram rejected Bera's offer but accepted the bread and wine from Melchizedek and gave him tithes of the spoils.
Abram had to choose between two kings who represented two opposite ways of life. Sodom was a wicked city, and Bera, its king, represented the dominion of the this world system with its appeal to the flesh. Bera means 'gift' suggesting that the world bargins for your allegiance. But Sodom means 'burning', so be carful how you choose. If you bow down to Bera, everything you live for will burn up one day. That's what happened to Lot.
Melchizedek means 'king of righteousness', and Salem means 'peace'. Hebrews 7 and Psalm 110 both connect Melchizedek with Jesus Christ, the "King of Peace" and the "King of Righteousness". So when Abram rejected Bera and accepted Melchizedek, he was making a statement of faith, saying "Take the world, but give me Jesus". Lot should have made the same decision, but he chose to return to his life of compromise.
Which king are you choosing today? Who will you serve? The 'king' (ruler) of this world or the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Matt.6:24). Choose Christ today. (1)
(1) Much indebted to Warren Wiersbe, Wiersbe Bible Commentary OT, vol.1, for these thoughts today.
posted by Royce Hendry at
5:36 AM
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