I’m so very thankful that you’re joining me here for the 3rd installment of Abraham’s Journey. This is not a series that has to be read in order (in case you missed the other posts), but I am writing these in the order they’re written in Genesis, starting with chapter 12. I’m not going to hit every point of Abraham’s life that’s mentioned, but there have been some parts that have jumped out at me and that correlate to other passages that have made an impact on my spiritual walk with God.
Genesis 14 picks up the adrenaline with a great war involving 9 different kings. From the Mesopotamian region came 4 kings who, together, fought against 5 different kings of the Jordan region. All of these kings of the Jordan region had been loyal to king Chedorlaomer (1 of the 4) and had served him for 12 years. They must have gotten tired of it and decided to rebel against him in the 13th year. The attacking kings had been out, well, attacking and conquering other cities and decided to correct the 5 kings of the Jordan region that had decided to no longer fall in line with the rule of king Chedorlaomer. This is the region that Lot, Abram’s nephew, had chosen when they parted ways.
Even though they were 5 rebellious kings (and all their armies) against 4 correcting kings (and all their armies), the 4 correcting kings were victorious. Of the 5 rebellious kings, we are told in scripture that 2 of them, the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah, fled. Some of them fell into the tar pits that were found in that area and those who survived the tar pits and the attacking armies fled into the hill country. The 4 correcting kings took all of the goods and food supply from both Sodom and Gomorrah. None of this had anything to do with Abram until they decided to take Lot captive.
As soon as Abram received word from a survivor, he took 318 trained men from his household – from his household – and pursued the 4 kings. They divided their forces and, using the darkness of night to their advantage, they defeated the 4 kings. They pursued the survivors for quite a distance, and then came back to help collect everything and everyone they had rescued. Can I just take a minute and point out that Abram’s household must have been massive to have 318 trained men at his disposal? This means they were trained to fight! I don’t even know that many people who are trained to fight and these guys were there in his household! Me thinks that he was prosperous. Okay, moving on…
This chapter is the first recorded military war, the first recorded time that someone is referred to as a Hebrew, the first time a tithe is given, and the first time we’re introduced to Melchizedek. This is a mysterious person of great interest to many. I’m not sure where I stand on some of the beliefs floating around out there. Some believe that Melchizedek was Jesus before He was actually born (called a theophany). Some believe that he’s a picture of Jesus – a type and shadow. And there are some who are just learning that there’s a guy in the Bible named Melchizedek. I’m not set in any camp concerning who Melchizedek was or wasn’t, but I do find him fascinating. What is relevant is that Abram recognized Melchizedek was greater than he was, and that he was a priest of the God Most High.
Melchizedek is a name that means king of righteousness. Even looking at the words the name is derived from in Hebrew (Strong’s Hebrew #4442, #4428, and #6664), I come out with the same meaning. In the verses below (or reading in your own Bible), you’ll read that he was the king of Salem. This is understood to be Jerusalem, but the name Salem means peace. But this is the interesting part that many (including myself for a while) do not catch:
And Melchizedek the king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tenth of all. Genesis 14:18-20 NASB
There’s always a reason for what’s in the Bible, how it’s written, and the order it’s listed. Melchizedek is first mentioned with the title of king, and then he’s also described as priest of God Most High. Being a priest of God Most High and a king was not something that was done. Under the Mosaic Law, it was never done. Now Melchizedek has no lineage mentioned in the Bible – no birth and no death (similar to God – just saying). And he brought out bread and wine – the same elements used in the last supper with Jesus (where we get communion for any who aren’t familiar with it). Jesus is King. Jesus became our high priest forever – He defeated death. He’s King. He’s our High Priest.
All of that is amazing without going into this next part, but this is what settled in my heart as needing to be shared. If you’re wanting to learn more about the correlation between Jesus and Melchizedek, check out Psalm 110 and Hebrews 5, 6, and 7. There’s a lot of richness there to unpack on the topic, but I want to take a look at another name that’s included in this meeting between Abram and Melchizedek.
It’s a small oddity I noticed in this meeting that I almost missed completely. Melchizedek blesses Abram and gives thanks to God for the victory. But Genesis 14:17 tells us there’s another person who went out to meet Abram on his return. I found it interesting that there’s no interaction or verbal exchanges with Bera, the king of Sodom, until after Abram gives a tithe to Melchizedek. He was there. He was there for the blessing spoken over Abram, for the bread and wine (it doesn’t say that he partook), and he was there when Abram gave a tenth of all he had brought back to Melchizedek. Kind of odd, right?
As my husband and I were talking this through and going over the different points in the Old and New Testament, an interesting perspective emerged. Melchizedek means king of righteousness. Bera (the king of Sodom) means son of evil (Hebrew translation). According to the Midrash (commentary of the Torah), the name Bera indicates 2 types of wickedness: an evil to Heaven and an evil to people. And after returning victorious from rescuing Lot and all that had been taken (including people), Abram continues to stand victorious in his exchange with Bera.
And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people (also translated as souls) to me and take the goods for yourself.” And Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre (neighboring allies of Abram): let them take their share.” Genesis 14:21-24 NASB
This exchanged seemed off to me until I understood who Bera represented (or may have actually been). Abram just returned what had been taken from the king of Sodom, yet Abram seemed to be repulsed by him. Perhaps he was repulsed by him – and he didn’t risk his life and that of his 318 men for loyalty to the king of Sodom. He was loyal to Lot – his kin. Abram came out victorious on the physical and spiritual battlefields that day. He recognized his source was not a wicked king who was an evil to Heaven and an evil to people.
How often do we feel as though we’re missing out? Maybe in regard to prospering or opportunities? Sure, with 318 trained men in his household, Abram could have scoffed at the plunder because he already had plenty. But even Abram had a void in that he didn’t have an heir to leave his wealth to. Abram, as seen in this chapter, filled his void with trusting God.
There are so many voids in people these days. Some try to fill it with things like shopping, eating, education, working out – the list of addictions is almost endless. Some are good things that people do to try to fill the voids Then there are voids so deep that some don’t even know how to be the gender God created them to be. They see the world, Bera, as their source of fulfillment and freedom when it does nothing but loop more chains around their neck. What is your source? Who is your source?
Melchizedek brought the party – refreshment, blessings, and thanksgiving – to Abram and his men. Bera offered to Abram things that weren’t even his to give. That’s what the devil does. He offers what isn’t true, making it a cheap substitute for what is everlasting. Abram chose to trust his Source. Will you?