Genesis 14

I love reading Genesis. All these stories that you’ve forgotten. 

Seriously, this one is worth reading. Pick up your Bible right now! Or click this link, and read with me!

In chapter 14, Lot’s been abducted by a bunch of kings, and so Abram, with his 318 trained men, go in the night and defeat the kings and bring back Lot and all the others who were abducted, as well as all the possessions that were stolen.

What.

Whenever I think of Abram in the Bible, all I really remember is the old man Abraham, great in his faith. It’s wonderful to read more about how God works in his life.

What’s even more amazing, though, is what happens in verses 17-24. The king of Sodom, and Melchizedek (the King of Salem but also the high priest) come to greet Abram, especially since Abram’s just defeated his enemies. Melchizedek blesses Abram, and attributes his victory to the Lord. Abram gives him a tenth of all his belongings, affirming the truthfulness of these words. Then the king of Sodom is a pretty ungrateful man who demands to have all the people back, saying that he’ll let Abram keep all the material possessions.

And then Abram says no.

I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’

Abram was promised by God that he was going to be made into a great nation and that his name would be great. Abram had relied on his own plans before rather than trusting God before, and he knew that when his own plans backfired, it was God who rescued him. So this time he says no. He says no to the plans of man. He seems no to what seems logical, seems comfortable. He says no to relying on the gifts of earthly kings and yes to relying on God, so that should people even try to attribute his future greatness to man, they would not have adequate evidence to do so. He says no, because he trusts that when God makes a promise, He has the power to carry it through. I pray that you and I would do the same!