Genesis 14

(Gen 14:1-24): Why the backslidden Lot remained in Sodom knowing the depths of depravity and debauchery being displayed for all to see is a mystery. Was it his wife, kids, business ventures, to be a witness to the ungodly, or an unwillingness to launch out and start all over again like he did with Abram out of Haran? If it was to be a “witness” we will see later on how ineffective his witness for God was when he had to leave Sodom on the eve of its destruction (Gen 19:15).

Whatever attracted him there and kept him there, the deeds of the wicked remained a heavy toil and burden to his soul, but not so heavy he could bear no more and leave. Carnal Christians can suck godly people right into the vortex of their situation. Abram had better things to do than to mount up a rescue and risk life and limb because of a mule-headed backsliding relative. But Abram entered the maelstrom anyway.

The swirling storm was over five Jordanian kings rebelling in the thirteenth year against twelve years of servitude to Chedorlaomer, king of Elam. Chedorlaomer recruited three additional eastern kings to quell the rebellion. So nine kings in all, 4 against 5, met in the Valley of Siddim or the Dead Sea in the fourteenth year. Chedolaomer’s armies were victorious and took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah. They also took Lot and his goods and went their way (Gen 14:12).

Somebody escaped and told Abram. This is the first time the word Hebrew appears in the Scriptures (Gen 14:13). Apparently, Abram was considered a clan leader. This word association began with Abram and followed his descendants throughout history to the present.

Abram armed his 318 trained servants born in his house, allied with Eshcol and Aner, attacked the eastern confederacy of Chedolaomer and brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people (Gen 14:16).

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him (Gen 14:17). Another king, of a completely different caliber than the king of Sodom, also paid Abram a visit when he returned from the slaughter of the eastern kings; His name was Melchizedek (king of righteousness), king of Salem (peace), later called Jerusalem.

This unidentified individual was a king of righteousness and peace who brought Abram bread and wine. The imagery of bread and wine is reminiscent of the great sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But this mysterious figure was also a priest of God Most High (Gen 14:18). And this priest of God Most High blessed Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth (Gen 14:19). Then he blessed the God Most High for delivering Abram's enemies into his hand (Gen 14:20). There was to be no mistake about it; it wasn't in the strength of Abram and his allies that brought the victory but the God Most High.

Abram’s tribute to the greatness of Melchizedek is seen by giving the king of Salem a tenth of all the spoil (Gen 14:20). This is all we know of Melchizedek at this juncture. The New Testament will reveal that the Messiah was after the order of Melchizedek, a superior priesthood to Aaron, Moses’ brother.

As different as heaven and hell were the conversations of the king of Salem and the king of Sodom with Abram. Melchizedek spoke and Abram paid tithes to Him. Bera spoke, Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself (Gen 14:21) and Abram rebuked him, I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich’ (Gen 14:22-23). Abram didn’t trust the king of Sodom and indicated his disdain for him for he knew that the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD (Gen 13:13).

Melchizedek blessed and offered bread and wine; Bera came empty-handed and attempted to negotiate a deal, to the victor belongs the spoils, of man, beast, and goods! Isn’t that how Chedolaomer and his eastern confederation saw it? Had it not been for Lot, Abram would not have intervened in the affairs of the king of Sodom, and Bera would have lost it all. This incident reinforced in Abram’s mind that part of the covenant God made with him – I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you (Gen 12:3).

For Bera of Sodom, this incident broke the Chedolaomerian yoke off the Jordanian kings, but he and his people remained in slavery to a crueler master, their sin. They squandered the greatest spiritual opportunity for change; Divine judgment loomed on the horizon.

Father, Lot didn’t get it. You broke him away from that appalling wickedness of Sodom, forced his hand, and rather than repenting, he returned with Bera back to Sodom. May sin not have that kind of sway with me. How great must have been the majesty of this mysterious Melchizedek for Abram to pay Him homage. Abram possessed spiritual eyes beyond physical sight.

Abram was cautious about how he achieved being great - I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich.’ He didn’t want to achieve greatness by any other means than through You - I will bless you and make your name great (Gen 12:2). Lord, man is obsessed with boasting about his knowledge, his strength, and his possessions, but he is stripped clean with the dying, like flesh on a bone; the things of the world have no lasting value. 

But Abram sought greatness in You and his greatness continues even today because you made an everlasting covenant with him. Everything in You and about You are eternal. I am a son of Abraham, a son of David, a son of Jesus Christ. I am eternal because I am in You and of You, my God Most High. There is no greater glory for me than the knowing and understanding of You (1 Cor 2:2). I do subscribe to the idea that what I believe about You is the most important thing about me. <><