Genesis 14 records a conflict with area kings. During a rivalry battle, the enemies of those from Sodom plundered the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 14:11). Lot, due to his proximity to the city, was also taken captive (Gen 14:12).
Word came to Abram of Lot's circumstance. Without hesitation and at great personal risk and investment, Abram set out to rescue Lot from his oppressors. He pursued the aggressors and accomplished his task (Gen 14:14-15).
Interestingly, there is no mention of the cost to Abram. There is no weighing of the sacrifice or rehearsal of the fact that Lot separated from Abram and took what seemed to be the choice land. None of this is factored into Abram's response. He heard of his nephew's circumstance, knew the right thing to do, and did it. Sometimes we spend a large amount of time trying to decide if someone is deserving of our efforts or the costs we would have to pay to help them. None of this seemed to fit into Abram's paradigm.
In Gen 14:17-20, we find an interesting exchange betwen Abram and Melchizedek. He is identified as a priest of the Most High God (Long before the Temple was built or Leviticus was written to define what a Priest does.) Abram worshipped God as the source of his victory and gave a tithe (a tenth, Gen 14:20) to God. (I wonder how he knew to do that before the Law was written by Moses? Could it be that the principle of tithing...which many would debate today...has always existed...before, during, and after the Law...and still does today?)
In Gen 14:21-24 Abram is approached by the king of Sodom who offers to give Abram some of the spoils of his victory. Abram refuses for one reason alone: He had sworn to God to do what was right because it was right and not for personal gain. Abram did not want the king of Sodom to get any glory for the blessings that Abram enjoyed. That glory was to be given to God and God alone.
Abram's actions with Melchizedek and the king of Sodom speak clearly to where his trust was. He trusted God exclusively and intentionally. And...God was blessing him. The correlation is irrefutable. I wonder how many ways I could have rationalized acting differently that Abram. I could have taken the spoils as compensation for lost wages. I could have accepted them as God's gift through the wicked king (i.e., God works in mysterious ways). Yet Abram's example is the one God recorded for us. It should be instructive for our lives.
Proverbs 5:8-9 is the takeaway. Wisdom compels us to flee from temptation in every case. When tempted, we must turn away. To stand is to flirt with our own destruction. Those things which tempt us are subtle and we must be wise to run away...
Grace.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
1 comment:
My mind also goes to Abram and Lot. The minute Abram hears of his loved one being captured he stopped got enough of his servants and went to protect him. I think of my church family how we should be protecting and lifting each other up. It doesn't say that he had to think about it, just acted on his instincts. How many times has the Holy spirit told me to help someone and I somehow talk myself out of it. If God is telling us to act we must believe that He is able to provide. I have so much fear and apprehension, this can not be of God.
Lord, I believe you will provide for me and will make me able to fulfil the things you set before me. Please take my fear and apprehensions. Thank you for your strength and for holding me when I can not stand. I believe in you, work in a mighty way in me and through me. I love you Lord. Amen!
Post a Comment