Genesis 14
Abram's choice
Previous post: Genesis 13
There’s a lot happening here in Genesis 14. On the face of it, it’s a story of two men who’ve had a choice. Abram made a choice in faith. Lot made a choice in logic. Not only did Lot choose the better looking land, but he didn’t do anything with it. He took an easy way out and found a town. At this point, the chapter notes that Lot was “living in the city.” So, we know that he has gone from living on the outskirts to living in the city. These choices don’t go well for Lot. In fact, he gets caught up in the trouble of the city and carried off in a battle.
Worth noting: the battle was fought amongst tar pits in an area that scholars believe would eventually become the dead sea. In other words, the symbolism here is strong. Verse 10 tells us that some fell into the tar pits. So, death is added to these tar pits, which we know were formed from death in the first place…and we know would eventually become known as death, the Dead Sea. In other words, it could be said that this was a battle fought in a literal valley of death.
In the story, the godly character charges into the valley of death to fight for Lot, fights for him, and brings him to safety….out of the valley of the shadow of death.
Then, an interesting story plays out. After having survived the valley of death and emerged victorious, Abram finds himself with another choice. This time, the choice isn’t which land to take. It’s which king’s blessing to accept. Two kings. Two options. One a king of righteousness. The other a king of depravity.
Let’s first talk about the king of righteousness. Enter Melchizedek. Seemingly out of nowhere, this guy Melchizedek shows up. We can infer quite a bit about him just by his name and title. Melchizedek, King of Salem, priest of God most high. That name and title literally means King of Righteousness, King of Peace, Priest of God most high. Melchizedek offers Abram bread and wine. In return, Abram gives him a tenth of everything.
So, choice one for Abram is to accept the bread and wine along with the accompanying blessing…a blessing that explicitly gives God the credit for victory, not Abram.
Then, we have choice two: the king of Sodom offers Abram everything except the people. “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” (Genesis 14:21, ESV). In other words, you can have everything…all the spoils of war…all the accompanying credit and glory.
Abram chooses the bread and the wine and rejects all the worldly spoils of war. Not only that, he is overwhelmed with thankfulness for what the bread and wine represents—so much so that he gives a tenth of everything he has.
This whole story is symbolism that shows up throughout the Bible. Here. In David’s Psalms…most notably in Psalm 23 where he walks through the valley of the shadow of death to find a table prepared before him…reminiscent of Melchizedek preparing a table for Abram.
Then, of course, in the New Testament where Jesus becomes the living embodiment of a person who is simultaneously man, simultaneously King of righteousness, King of peace, and Priest of God most high. Jesus, who claims to be the bread of life (John 6:35) and claims that the wine represents his own blood (Matthew 6:28). Accepting his gift is an acceptance of the accompanying blessing that gives God the victory.
Lastly, I think it is worth revisiting Genesis 14:21. “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” I think Satan makes a similar offer throughout the Bible and continues that offer to this day: accept the victory for yourself, the pride for yourself, and all the spoils of war. Just let me have the people. Just like in Luke 4:5
5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Luke 4:5, NIV
All of this can be yours…and you don’t even have to go to war for it. Just give me the people. Fortunately, Abram said, “No.” Jesus said, “No.” And, we need to be reminded to say, “No.” too. To our pride. To our wanting to claim “hero” status. To the idea that fame or fortune or success or self-gratification will bring satisfaction and peace in life. They didn’t then. They won’t now.
This week’s AI rap summary:
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
This was so good, thank you!