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Abram Rescues Lot Words: Gen 14:1-24 Key Verse: 19 “and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. The Battle of the Kings (1-12) When Abram lived in Canaan, there was no emperor. A number of feudal lords governed each city in this country. In the midst of unsettled political structure, Kedorlamer seized a military initiative from other kingdoms. He was king of Ellasar, today modern Iran. Amraphel, Arioch, and Tidal were allied with and actually subject to him. The power of his arm was felt throughout the Middle East. Bera, Birsha, Shinab, Shember and Zoar these 5 kings who had nation in the vicinity of the Dead Sea, acknowledged Kedorlamer’s suzerainty and had paid tribute for 12 years. However 5 kings ceased to implement their obligation of vassals. Explicitly, they stopped to pay tribute. Kedorlamer waited for one year. In 14th year, he and his allies went out and defeated all the territory from north of Damascus to the far south, almost to Egypt (the land of Amlekites and the Edomites) Then he turned his attention to the 5 kings who had rebelled against him. They met in the Valley of the Salt Sea, the 4 kings against the 5. Kedorlaomer and his allies quickly subdued the rebels, many of whom fell in tar pits in their haste to escape. They plundered the cities and carried away a large amount of booty and many hostages. Lot was among those who were carried off, because he lived in Sodom. Abram’s War (13-16) Abram was a peaceful headsman. He owned no land; he stayed out of politics and out of war. He had no reason to rescue Lot. Lot was not a “good sheep.” He had run away from Abram and from the life of faith. But Abram had a great shepherd’s heart for Lot. His shepherd’s heart is like God’s heart of live for rebellious and sinful people. God keeps on loving; Abram also kept on loving. The news of Lot’s capture galvanized Abram to action. He had trained enough of his servants to make a strong defensive force, but he had not engaged in an offensive war before this time. He marshaled his forces, made an alliance with some of his neighbors and set out in pursuit of Lot’s captors. He caught up with them in Dan, the northernmost city of Canaan. He attacked at night, using skillful military strategy. The enemy soldiers were surprised, and they were thoroughly routed. However, a large contingent escaped, and taking Lot with them, they continued their retreat. Abram pursued them and again caugt them at Hobah, north of Damascus. He recovered everything and brought back all the people and goods which Kedorlaomer had taken. Preparing the message, I confront my past characteristic problem; that was the lack of love toward Sheep. That was main reason why I did not commit to care of any personal 1:1 relationship. I had tried to keep on loving, but whenever I felt that that was so hard I gave up them quickly. How much cruel they suffer from their own sin and attacks of Satan. But I did not put my pity on their bondage. Abram was old. But he became brave when heard his cousin’s capture. In contrast, I was young, but I remained coward. The deficiency of love is actually one of sins which hinder us from sacrificing ourselves for others. It prevents us from committing into serving God truly. So I repented before God and prayed that plant the seeds of Jesus’ love onto my heart. After knew and tasted the secret of Jesus’ love, I came to learn being happy whenever face others’ rejection in fishing time. Hallelujah! I pray that all of us to be men or women who have great shepherd heart like Jesus, like Abram. Abram Meets Two Kings (17-24) After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet his in the Valley Shaveh. Two kings came to meet him when he retured from this successful military campaign. One king represented the world; the other represented the simple tent life God had called him to live. They symbolized the choice that lay before Abram. Abram had a conference first with Melchizedek. Melchizedek was king of Salem. His name means “King of righteousness.” Salem means “peace.” He was king of righteousness and king of peace(Heb 7:1-10). He was priest of God Most High. His visit and his blessing taught Abram two things. First, he reminded Abram of God’s friendship. He came with bread and wine to strengthen Abram, who must have been physically and emotionally exhausted. They ate the meal tighter and shared spiritual fellowship. Second, and most important, he came with God’s word and God’s blessing. Melchizedek’s blessing has two parts: First, he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator (Possessor) of heaven and earth..” This blessing reminded Abram that God is the Possessor of heaven and earth and everything else. He is the One who can give us everything. Why become greedy for a few material baubles when one can have everything. When God blesses, we are truly blessed. The worldly things for which we strive cannot make us happy even if we succeed in obtaining them. Second, Melchizedek said, “Blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” This blessing reminded Abram that his victory over the kings was only won by God’s grace. Abram pledged his loyalty and obedience to God Most High, and sealed that pledge by giving Melchizedek a tenth of everything. It was like the tribute which the vassal kings offer to their masters. Abram’s tithe represented the commitment of his heart and life to God Most High, the Creator and Possessor of all things. Someone once said that a man’s heart is where his pocketbook is. We should learn from Abram to give our tithes and offerings to God as a symbol of our commitment to him. Our tithing should be an act of worship. Then Abram met the king of Sodom. The king of Sodom tempted Abram to act like the ordinary men of those times. He wanted to make a deal with Abram. “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” Abram could take for himself all of the spoils of war, for they were his by right. But Abram had God’s word in his heart. He quoted Melchizedek: “I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, Creator (Possessor) of heaven and earth,…” He believed God’s almighty power. He believed God’s sovereignty over heaven and earth. He believed that God would keep his promises. He believed that God’s blessing was the best. He continued, “I have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread of the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’” Abram could refuse the wealth of Sodom and return to his simple shepherd’s life. God had sent Abram a shepherd, Melchizedek, to help him in a time of spiritual crisis, and Abram had received God’s work from him and overcome the temptation to comprise with the world and acquire the tainted riches of Sodom. Who is God? Why do we have to serve him? We can put the answers reflected by Abram’s true worship. His worship was not for himself. If it was, he might have been defeated by the temptation of king of Sodom. Abram served God with his true heart. He acknowledged that God is God in the world. We are gathering now. Are we for worshiping God? Yes, of course. We worship only God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. I prayed that all of us led life identified by God who can bless our life abundantly. |
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