Genesis 14 Melchizedek
After freeing Lot and the rest of the captives, Abram heads back. On the way he encounters the king of Sodom and Melchizedek. Melchizedek is God’s priest.
I want to back up for just a second and talk about the battle Abram, his friends, and their small band of trained men just fought. When I was looking at the events in the previous verses, I wasn’t seeing the actual number that these men had to overcome. We are told right away that Abram defeated “Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him” (verse 17a). This tells us that the forces of all the kings who had come against the group with the king of Sodom were STILL together. They were marching their captives home TOGETHER. Abram wasn’t attacking a small band who stayed behind to ‘bring up the rear’ with the captives. Abram and his men defeated ALL those who defeated the five kings of Canaan! NO OTHER WAY could he do this than with GOD’S HELP! If THAT’S not a miracle then I don’t know what is!!!
We are going to rejoin Abram and his band of victors as they travel home. They have a stop to make before their task is done. That task is to return everything that was taken.
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Abram, his forces, and the freed captives with ALL that was taken have been heading south for several days. As they enter the Valley of Shaveh, they see a contingent of people waiting to greet them. Those waiting include the king of Sodom and the king of Salem, Melchizedek. Melchizedek has set out bread and wine for Abram and his party.
This is an unexpected welcome but one that is much appreciated. As soon as Abram arrives at the prepared place, Melchizedek begins to speak over him.
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” (verses 19b-20).
Abram’s spirit recognizes the spirit of God within Melchizedek immediately. And he KNOWS that God is the One who gave him the victory. Abram heart is nearly bursting with the need to give thanks and praise to God but words are not enough. He chooses instead to bless God’s priest with a gift in remembrance of ALL that God has given him in this endeavor.
Abram calls out to his captain; “Bring forth ALL the spoils of battle.”
The captain leads the carts containing what was taken from the enemy; food, clothing, armor, gold, silver, and all their personal possessions. The captain also brings the carts containing what was taken from the people by their captors. There are MANY carts gathered in front of the two kings. Abram personally begins going through the carts and setting a tenth of all that is contained within each to the side. Abram then has his men rearrange the carts so that there is one free among them. What was set aside is loaded into it.
After he is satisfied that his accounting is complete and his offering is prepared, Abram turns to Melchizedek.
“Please accept this from my hand as a tithe unto the Lord. He has given me victory over my enemies and much spoils. I return a tenth of it as a testament to His goodness.”
Melchizedek is pleased with Abram’s actions and he is honored to accept this gift on God’s behalf. “You have done well my son in honoring the Lord. This tithe will be used to further honor Him by caring for those in need.”
The king of Sodom had been silent until now. After seeing Abram’s generosity, he wants to demonstrate that HE can be even more gracious and generous.
“Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself” (verse 21b).
Abram’s spirit witnesses against this king. And he has heard stories of the wickedness of his kingdom. Abram had made a promise to God before leaving on this mission and again once the captives were freed. He would take NOTHING of the spoils taken from this campaign. Not from the captives who were freed or from the armies his forces had defeated. He wanted NOTHING to bind him to the kings who were defeated, least they say THEY had made him rich. And he is not shy about telling the king of Sodom this to his face!
“I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of Heaven and earth, 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.’ I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten,…” Abram pauses for a moment and turns to his friends who had accompanied him before continuing. “…and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share” (verses22-24).
The king of Sodom is actually relieved that Abram has turned down his offer. It would have been difficult rebuilding his city and caring for his people if he had been left with nothing but the people themselves. He will gladly allow Abram’s three friends to take a portion as their share.
Aner, Eschol, and Mamre look at one another, astounded by Abram’s words. They look at the carts still standing before them. All three come to the same decision at the same time. Then nod to one another in complete understanding and agreement. Aner speaks for the group.
“We will take NOTHING of the property of the captives or of that which was taken from the city. We will take our portion from the spoils that were taken from the enemy alone. This allows us too, to say that the king of Sodom has not made us rich.”
Abram’s heart swells with pride at the actions of his friends. They are truly honorable men.
After everyone enjoyed the gift of bread and wine, Abram turns over the captives and all they own to the king of Salem, and his band of men continue on their journey to their home. Abram bids a fond farewell to Lot while his friends arrange their share of the spoils in three carts for the last portion of their trip.
There is much talk among those who served in this battle as they make their way home.
“I can’t believe they all passed on the spoils from the captives! Imagine how much our share would have been.”
“But it would have been tainted. Our master has been MORE than good to us. We have no need of goods that would bind us to such a king!”
“I know you are right, but my mind still goes back to ALL that we saw as we were arranging and rearranging it.”
“Put it OUT of your mind. It is MUCH more important to honor our master’s God. Imagine if He had not been with us in battle. There wouldn’t be any spoils to collect as we would have been killed!”
“You are right. I beg your forgiveness, and His, for even entertaining such a thought.”
Renditions of this same conversation are taking place within the ranks. By the time they reach the Oaks of Mamre, everyone is in agreement with Abram’s decision.
Life settles back down into the usual routine for Abram, his men, and his friends.
Back in Sodom, Lot returns to his house and his intended bride. His life returns to ‘normal’ too.
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We are told to be mindful of where we ‘invest’ and what we do with our finances. Investing your money in an individual or company is that same as saying that you agree with their principles. You ‘vote’ with your dollars. Accepting gains from tainted investments covers you with their sin. It’s NOT worth it! Buying from those that we know are dishonest or are abusing their workers also has us ‘throwing our hat’ in the ring of agreement with them.
I know it’s almost impossible to know EVERYTHING about the companies whose products we are buying, but when we do KNOW of an evil being done by some company, DON’T have anything to do with them! Mind your money because your money speaks for you.
This also includes supporting a ‘ministry’ that is NOT teaching God’s truth. When my children were growing up, we did a LOT of moving. My ex-husband was in the military. After my divorce, I had to go where the jobs were, so I moved a few times myself. Each time we moved to a new area, we had to find a new church to attend. I made it a practice to NOT put anything in the offering plate as it was passed until I knew that the minister was teaching from God’s word. My spirit had to be at rest in the church before my dollars supported it. And God ALWAYS led us to a church that was teaching HIS word!
Father God, thank You for ALWAYS giving me a ‘home church’ with each move I’ve had to make over the years. Thank You for speaking to my spirit and drawing me to exactly the place You prepared for me. I know I did it FOR me. I could NOT have done it on my own. Even now, when I’m unable to attend a physical church, You have provided godly friends for me.
Thank You for ALL the blessings You have brought in my life! The BEST one being the blessing of being Your child. Let me share what You have given me in the ways YOU direct.
