A STUDY IN GENESIS
We now come to our second interaction in this section of scripture that we need to review. We come to Abram’s interaction with the King of Sodom.
Genesis 14:18-24 “18 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. 19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered. 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.” 22 Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept only what my young warriors have already eaten, and I request that you give a fair share of the goods to my allies--Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre.”
I want to point out that the king of Sodom and the king of Salem are not interacting. It is as if the two kings are not even in each other’s presence. However, it is likely that they are, since King Melchizedek is bringing refreshments to Abram, and the king of Sodom is finishing up their affairs. Now what does this mean? It means that both kings represent two different sides. Melchizedek is a king of righteousness, while Sodom, as we will eventually find out, is a king of wickedness. Abram and Melchizedek stand for righteousness, whereas the king of Sodom was given a reprieve in which to seek the Lord, but we know he does not. I find it ironic that the king of Sodom just had a horrible event against the Nephilim, and yet in a few chapters, his city will be destroyed by God for wanting to breed with angels. What does all this mean? The king of Sodom wanted to have the power of the Nephilim instead of trusting the Lord. He did not want to have Abram save him again.
It is here we start to see a theme that will be developed much further on of the two cities, one of righteousness and the other of wickedness. This has not changed today. We still have the same choices. Abram understood this and did not want to give the king of Sodom any reason to be angry with him. He did not take anything when he could have. It is important that we, as the body of Christ, recognize moments to do good deeds for anyone and everyone, but be smart if someone wants to repay you. It might be simpler to just decline the request and allow the Lord to bless you in His timing. This interaction also points to us seeing God for who He truly is. He will provide chance after chance for the unsaved to get saved. This is a merciful God. This is the same God as in the New Testament. Nothing has changed; God is still using Abram to administer the Savior of the world to us. However, the time has not yet come for Issac to be born; for now, Abram is defending others living in his promised land.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming
JL