Here in the United States, if we think of kings we usually think of nations like England, France, or Spain. Historically their kings (and queens) had great significance for the history of our country. But kings were not always leaders over nations. At one point kings primarily ruled cities. The more powerful the king was the more cities he controlled; indeed, the title king could also apply to an emperor. So in our reading today we find a group of kings banding together under Chederlaomer against another group of kings who had invaded the region from Mesopotamia.
All that is very interesting (maybe as interesting as trying to pronounce all the names and places mentioned in chapter 14!), but in v. 12 we find something very pertinent to our account. Yesterday we read that the land where this war was taking place was the direction Lot selected, near Sodom and Gomorrah. Today we read that the kings from Mesopotamia captured Lot and took him, everyone with him, and all his possessions prisoner.
When Abram received the news, he gathered his “trained men.” These were soldiers. Abram’s wealth must have been great, indeed, to have a group of fighting men attached to his household. He is himself much like a king.
So, vastly outnumbered and with a small coalition of allies, Abram went and rescued Lot. It’s pretty clear that this victory was won by God’s intervention and deliverance, and Abram’s choices afterward reflect that. First, when Abram met with Melchizedek, a king and priest of God, he gave a tenth of everything to him. He wasn’t paying Melchizedek, but was worshiping God and giving his offering to the Lord. Second, when the king of Sodom urged Abram to take the spoils of war for himself, Abram refused. It was to be clear that God had made Abram rich, not the king of Sodom.
Those two choices are important for us today. Returning a portion of God’s blessings in our lives to the Lord through our churches is an act of worship and gratitude. Don’t take this the wrong way, God loves when we sing songs of thanks and praise, but giving up things we depend on (like money) as we depend on God (faith) is a bit more difficult to do and shows a different level of commitment. Giving back to the Lord is more than a matter of paying the church’s bills, it is a statement of faith that both gives thanks and praises to God for what He has done for you. It is recognition that we did not make ourselves rich, but the Lord has blessed us. He has given us all that we have and all that we are, and we only use what He has already provided to provide for our lives and families.
Abram had won a victory over a larger army, and his response was to give the tithe and worship God. What about you? What have you received from God’s hand? A good home? Family? Health? Some nice possessions? Great! Thank God for them! However, we have also received something far more consequential than our earthly blessings. Ponder John 3:16 for a moment. God so love us that he gave Jesus to redeem us from our sin. We have received forgiveness, eternal life, salvation, and peace with God through the Cross. How will you recognize that? Sing a song? Good. Put an offering in the plate? Okay. How about this; giving your entire life into His hands so that all you have and are serves the Lord?
Father, help me to see all you have given me, and help me respond appropriately for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
All that is very interesting (maybe as interesting as trying to pronounce all the names and places mentioned in chapter 14!), but in v. 12 we find something very pertinent to our account. Yesterday we read that the land where this war was taking place was the direction Lot selected, near Sodom and Gomorrah. Today we read that the kings from Mesopotamia captured Lot and took him, everyone with him, and all his possessions prisoner.
When Abram received the news, he gathered his “trained men.” These were soldiers. Abram’s wealth must have been great, indeed, to have a group of fighting men attached to his household. He is himself much like a king.
So, vastly outnumbered and with a small coalition of allies, Abram went and rescued Lot. It’s pretty clear that this victory was won by God’s intervention and deliverance, and Abram’s choices afterward reflect that. First, when Abram met with Melchizedek, a king and priest of God, he gave a tenth of everything to him. He wasn’t paying Melchizedek, but was worshiping God and giving his offering to the Lord. Second, when the king of Sodom urged Abram to take the spoils of war for himself, Abram refused. It was to be clear that God had made Abram rich, not the king of Sodom.
Those two choices are important for us today. Returning a portion of God’s blessings in our lives to the Lord through our churches is an act of worship and gratitude. Don’t take this the wrong way, God loves when we sing songs of thanks and praise, but giving up things we depend on (like money) as we depend on God (faith) is a bit more difficult to do and shows a different level of commitment. Giving back to the Lord is more than a matter of paying the church’s bills, it is a statement of faith that both gives thanks and praises to God for what He has done for you. It is recognition that we did not make ourselves rich, but the Lord has blessed us. He has given us all that we have and all that we are, and we only use what He has already provided to provide for our lives and families.
Abram had won a victory over a larger army, and his response was to give the tithe and worship God. What about you? What have you received from God’s hand? A good home? Family? Health? Some nice possessions? Great! Thank God for them! However, we have also received something far more consequential than our earthly blessings. Ponder John 3:16 for a moment. God so love us that he gave Jesus to redeem us from our sin. We have received forgiveness, eternal life, salvation, and peace with God through the Cross. How will you recognize that? Sing a song? Good. Put an offering in the plate? Okay. How about this; giving your entire life into His hands so that all you have and are serves the Lord?
Father, help me to see all you have given me, and help me respond appropriately for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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