Genesis 14:1-16 The War of the Kings
“In those days Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
The latter five came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea ). For twelve years they had been subject to Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
In the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh-kiriathaim, and the Horites in the area of Mount Seir, as far as El-paran, which is near the desert. Then they turned back to invade En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who lived in Hazazon-tamar.
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) marched out and arrayed for battle in the Valley of Siddim against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.
Abram Rescues Lot
“Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some men fell into the pits, but the survivors fled to the hill country. The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food, and they went on their way. They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.
Then an escapee came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were bound by treaty to Abram. And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan. During the night, Abram divided his forces and routed Chedorlaomer’s army, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He retrieved all the goods, as well as his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the rest of the people.”
Melchizedek Blesses Abram (Psalm 110:1-7; Hebrews 7:1-10)
17-24 “After Abram returned from defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High — and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, but take the goods for yourself.” But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not accept even a thread, or a strap of a sandal, or anything that belongs to you, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share for the men who went with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. They may take their portion.”
Lot has thought he was being crafty when he demanded to live in the Jordan valley and eventually moved into the city of Sodom. But Sodom is on the east side of Canaan, and now raiders from the east have swooped in, carrying off the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah with all their possessions. Lot’s decision has led to his becoming a captive. Where is the valley of Siddim? Most people feel it is at the south end of the Dead Sea. At any rate, Lot has been captured and someone escapes to inform Abram, who is living close to Hebron, west of the area Lot is in.
Abram doesn’t hesitate but immediately mobilizes 318 trained men from his household, along with his Amorite friends Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre and their forces, and pursues Chedorlaomer’s army all the way to Hobah, north of Damascus. Abram rescues all the captives along with their goods. By now Abram must be thanking God that he has not settled in the Jordan Valley, attractive as it is, for that location has left Lot vulnerable to attack.
As Abram is returning from defeating Chedorlaomer and his allies, he is met by two very different men. The King of Sodom meets Abram, advising him to release the previously captured people to him but to keep all the loot. Recognizing the satanic nature of this temptation, Abram refuses. “But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not accept even a thread, or a strap of a sandal, or anything that belongs to you, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share for the men who went with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. They may take their portion.”
Melchizedek, the priest of the Lord, also meets Abram with bread and wine in celebration of the victory God has given. Melchizedek blesses Abram, saying, ”Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of everything as an offering to the Lord.
Who is Melchizedek and where has he come from? People have debated this question for years, with some authorities even contending that this is Jesus appearing early in God’s narrative. What we do know about Melchizedek is that he is a priest of God Most High. Perhaps God Himself has elected Melchizedek to that position. Throughout history there have been true believers-just look at Job as an example. Melchizedek represents everything that is holy while the King of Sodom represents everything evil. Abram recognizes the nature of the King of Sodom and rejects his suggestions but worships the Lord by offering a tithe to Melchizedek. It’s likely that Melchizedek will turn right around and pass those things on to needy people, thus blessing many.
When we worship God, we allow God to change us into His nature. Lot fails to recognize that he has landed himself in a mess far more dangerous than the tar pits in the Valley of Siddim. Lot will be progressively sucked in further and further while Abram will continue to develop an ever-closer relationship with God.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You, copying Abram and not Lot. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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