Abraham - Growing Strong

Abraham – Growing Strong

>>> Read Genesis 14 <<<

 

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

 

Abram answered the call of God to leave his homeland and walk down the path of faith. We have seen how, even though he started well, he was detained (in Haran) and then sidetracked (in Egypt). Yet he regained his footing with God and was fully restored to fellowship. Next, we saw Abram relinquish his rights to the land when he allowed Lot to choose the better area.  He put it all into the hands of the One who said, "I will give you this land."  Abram had learned (from his Egypt experience) that it was better to be on the ground of fellowship with God, than to enjoy the comforts of the world.

 

Lot, however, enjoyed his taste of the world while they were in Egypt, and chose to 'pitch his tent toward Sodom' (Gen.13:12) where he could enjoy similar pleasures.  In Genesis 14:12 we are told that Lot had taken a few more steps and was dwelling in Sodom. His life is a living demonstration of the life governed by sight rather than faith; it is the life of a person who cannot resist the world's appeal. We would never know Lot was a believer, except for 2 Peter 2:7 where we learn that he was "a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men."  His distress did not cause him to leave Sodom or to cultivate a faith in Abram's God; Lot's story chronicles the life of a worldly believer.

 

Any believer who settles down in the world can expect to fall prey to the enemy, for he has no strength against the power of the world. In Lot's case, when kings in the surrounding nations began warring with each other, he was swept up in the conflict. The benefits of the world are always mingled with undesirable consequences. The opposite is also true – the believer, who has refused the world, will not fall prey to its influence. Abram clearly illustrates this latter principle for us.

 

Abram had separated himself from the world with his tents and altars. Remember, the tent is a symbol of his pilgrim life (he has not settled down in the world), and the altar speaks of worship of the God who had called him to a life of faith. Abram shows us that faith in God makes us independent of what the world has to offer, but does not cause indifference to those who suffer in the world. When Lot was taken away with the war captives, Abram organized his hired servants and went out to get him back. This is a wonderful example of how God fights to keep even the weakest believer!

 

Abram also provides a beautiful picture of the fruits of faith. He overcomes the world (pictured in his victory over the kings), demonstrates genuine love for Lot and exhibits a purified heart. Let's look at his heart – a heart that has been maturing and gaining confidence in the Lord. Abram returns from battle, having rescued the people and goods taken by the kings. While the king of Sodom is on his way to offer Abram a reward for the return of the captives (vs 17), Melchizedek appears on the scene. Melchizedeck didn't show up when Abram was pursuing Chedorlaomer, but came to fortify him against temptation when the king of Sodom was coming to tempt him with treasure from the war.

 

Melchizedek introduced Abram to "the most high God" (Hebrew: El Elyon), possessor of heaven and earth. So far, Abram has known God as 'the God of Glory' (Acts 7:2) who appeared to him in Ur, and the Lord (Jehovah) to whom he built his altars. Here Melchizedek pronounces Abram blessed, and then reveals who it is that blesses him – it is the possessor of heaven and earth. Melchizedek is saying to Abram, 'The One who gives you the land, and has given you the victory, is exalted above all monarchs – the originator and the owner of heaven and earth.' 

 

The king of Sodom seems to have appeared right on the heels of Melchizedek, offering Abram more of the world's goods. How could he even be tempted? He is Abram who belongs to the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth!  A man who is blessed by God, and filled with the vision of heavenly possessions, has little need of help from the world. Notice how Abram answered the King of Sodom (vs 22). He used the new title, adding to it the name 'Jehovah;' therefore referring to God as the Lord, the most high God. Abram was truly beginning to understand God's heart, and would not allow the king of Sodom to get credit for something God had put into his hand ('I have raised my hand to Jehovah El Elyon').

 

Abram shows us what it means to belong to God and to be separated from the world. It is not that he lacks wealth, but his wealth does not own him – and he is still waiting for God to fulfill His promises. Lot, on the other hand, reveals how easily the world makes us its slave so that we have little, or no, affection for God. God wants us to know that He will give us all we need – He will not have us dependent upon the rulers, the resources or the methods of the world. We, in America, are learning how fickle the world and its resources are. It won't be long before we will be tested as Abram was tested – are we in the habit of looking to God to meet our needs or depending upon the world to do so?

 

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High [El Elyon] will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.    Psalm 91:1

LJ 8/09