Abram the Rescuer

Genesis 14-

Verses 1–16  

Many scholars look at the archeology of Canaan and see that during the time of Abram there was of peace among the cities and it was very fruitful for all in the land, but a wave of northeastern kings who combined their forces were destroying everything in their path. World domination by one person started in history. These kings came to make war on Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding area. Remember from the last chapter Lot moved his tent close to Sodom and now we see that he was living within the city because these kings took hold of all the possessions of Sodom and took captive Lot and his family. One of the captives escaped and told Abram that Lot had been taken captive. We see Abram acted, he did not say, “That stinks for him,” or “That is what he gets for living in that wicked city.” Abram took all the able fighters which numbered 318 and pursued after the kings. Abram defeated the enemy and saved the day. He rescued Lot and the women and got all their possessions back. 

Verses 17–24 

 Abram encounters someone who is very intriguing and that is Malchizedek who is “the priest of the Most High.” The Hebrew for most high God is “El Elyon” which is showing God’s superiority over everything and anything. Hebrews 7:2-3 tells us that Malchizedek, which means “Righteousness,” was King of Salem, which also means king of peace. He is also the first priest mentioned in the Bible. Abram recognized that he was representing the same God who called him out of his land so he gave him a tenth or tithe of everything. Malchizedek brought bread and wine which was used as a ceremonial thank-you offering to God. Malchizedek is a type of Christ which means there are many similarities in this story about Malchizedek and Christ.

• Christ is called the Priest forever- Hebrews 7:25, 26; Revelation 1:6
• Christ instituted the breaking of bread and drinking of the cup (communion) in remembrance of him. Malchizedek was pointing to the future of what will take place- Christ crucified for salvation.
• Jesus is righteousness- 1st Corinthians 1:30
• Jesus is the Prince of Peace- Isaiah 9:6
• Jesus has no beginning or end- Revelation 22:12,13
• But this Malchizedek was Christ. Christ showed himself to Abram.

Interesting:

Vs 10- Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits or slime pits. These pits were actual tar pits that were dug for the rich bitumen that was there. Bitumen is a mixture of organic liquids that are highly viscous, black, sticky, entirely soluble in carbon disulfide, and composed primarily of highly condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (taken from wikipedia). When you read your Bible do you look for Christ? Christ is our peace and he had a plan in the beginning of dying on the cross so we could have salvation.