Day 78: Genesis 14- Rescue and Offering

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.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.
 
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 Blessed by Melchizedek
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.)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. 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.”
 
Meditation
An atheist friend once asked me why I prayed before meals. “I need to give credit where credit is due,” I said.  Praying over the meal was posturing my heart for gratitude and asking blessing from the One who provided. I gave thanks for my food and prayed for my friend, too.
 
Warring kings kidnapped Lot (1-12) and his uncle, Abram, went to rescue him (13-16). Upon return from the victory Abram encountered one of the most mysterious men in scripture, Melchizedek, and demonstrates one of the most fundamental disciplines of a grateful heart, namely tithing.
 
Melchizedek is the king of righteousness and peace (Hebrews 7:2) from an eternal priesthood. (Psalm 110:4) He fundamentally points to Jesus Christ who will usher in a better covenant. (Hebrews 7:19-25) This priest of the most High God (18) blessed Abram. Abram realized the victory and spoils came from the Lord because the Lord is the possessor of Heaven and earth (19,22).
 
Jesus is a greater High Priest who lives forever to intercede for His people (Hebrews 7:25) and Jesus has given us a greater rescue than Lot’s through defeating the power and penalty of sin. The Possessor of everything has given us victory through Christ! And continues to give all the security and stability we need. Even more than we give thanks for our food, we must respond to His rescue with a heart overflowing with gratitude.
 
During this difficult economic season be sure to respond to the rescue of Christ with a heart of gratitude demonstrated in tithing. Respond to God’s grace by honoring the Lord as possessor of all!
 
Richly Dwelling
-Jesus Christ has rescued His people from the power and penalty of sin through His life, death, and resurrection on our behalf. Generally speaking, what does a heart of gratitude look like for the believer?
 
-One of the basic signs of a heart of gratitude is tithing, returning 10% of all that has been given to you to the One who possesses all. Do you tithe? Should you begin, even now?
 
-Cool side note- Abram had a group of trained men ready to rescue! (14) There is a meditation for men’s ministry here but for now we must continue our trek through the Bible.
 
Key Verse
20 …and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.