3. Abraham the Worshipper (14:17-24)
A new battle. Sometimes you face your greatest dangers after you have won a battle. It was after the capture of Jericho that Israel’s self-confidence led it into defeat at Ai (Josh. 7), and after his success on Mount Carmel, Elijah panicked and ran away in fear (1 Kings 19). No wonder the saintly Scottish pastor Andrew Bonar (1810-1892) said, “Let us be as watchful after the victory as before the battle.”
When Abraham returned from battle, he was met by two kings: Bera, king of Sodom (“burning”), and Melchizedek, king of Salem (“peace”). Bera offered Abraham all the spoils in return for the people, while Melchizedek gave Abraham bread and wine. Abraham rejected Bera’s offer but accepted the bread and wine from Melchizedek and gave him tithes of the spoils. All of this is symbolic and presents some important spiritual truths that you should understand and apply today.
Abraham had to choose between two kings who represented two opposite ways of life. Sodom was a wicked city (Gen. 13:13; Ezek. 16:49-50), and Bera represented the dominion of this world system with its appeal to the flesh (Eph. 2:1-3). Bera means “gift,” suggesting that the world bargains for your allegiance. But Sodom means “burning,” so be careful how you choose! If you bow down to Bera, everything you live for will burn up one day. That’s what happened to Lot!
Melchizedek means “king of righteousness,” and Salem means “peace.” Hebrews 7 and Psalm 110 both connect Melchizedek with Jesus Christ, the “King of peace” and the “King of righteousness.” Like Melchizedek in Abraham’s day, Jesus Christ is our King-Priest in heaven, enabling us to enjoy righteousness and peace as we serve Him (Isa. 32:17; Heb. 12:11). Certainly we can see in the bread and wine a reminder of our Lord’s death for us on the cross.
So, when Abraham rejected Bera and accepted Melchizedek, he was making a statement of faith, saying, “Take the world, but give me Jesus.” Lot should have made the same decision, but he chose to return to his life of compromise.
Why would it have been wrong for Abraham to take the spoils? After all, didn’t he risk his life and the lives of his retainers to defeat the invading kings and rescue the prisoners? Legally, Abraham had every claim to the spoils, but morally, they were out of bounds. Many things in this world are legal as far as courts are concerned but morally wrong as far as God’s people are concerned.
Furthermore, before Abraham could take the spoils, he had to agree to restore the people of Sodom to their king, who said, “Give me the persons” (Gen. 14:21). Just as God wants to use human bodies for His glory (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20), so the enemy wants to use human bodies for evil purposes (Rom. 6:12-13). The enemy said, in effect, “Give me your body,” to Joseph (Gen. 39) and Daniel (Dan. 1), but they said, “No!” But when the enemy said the same to Samson (Judg. 16), David (2 Sam. 11), and Judas (John 13:27), they said, “Yes!” And what a price they paid!
Abraham did not accept King Bera’s offer. Instead, it is likely that Abraham gave everyone he had rescued the opportunity to come with him and trust the true and living God. Abraham was a powerful sheik, and his neighbors knew about his tent and his altar. But there is no indication that any of them (including Lot’s family) accepted his invitation. Except for Lot and two of his daughters, they all perished in the destruction of Sodom.
A new blessing. Melchizedek had something better to offer Abraham: the blessing of the “Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth.” Abraham lived by the blessing of the Lord, not by the bribery of the world. He did not want anybody to think that the world made him rich. Even a small thing like a shoelace might affect his walk! Too many servants of God have weakened their testimonies by accepting applause and gifts from the people of the world. You cannot be a servant of God and a celebrity in the world at the same time.
Melchizedek met Abraham after the battle to strengthen him for the victory. The Lord knows the temptations we face after we have defeated the enemy. Abraham had met the Lord before the battle and promised to take nothing for himself from the spoils of victory. He was single-minded as he led his army, and God gave him victory.
Abraham did not impose his convictions on his allies–Aner, Eschol, and Mamre (Gen. 14:24). If they wanted to take part of the spoils, that was their business, and he would not criticize them. Nor did he expect them to give tithes to Melchizedek. Abraham was a pilgrim and stranger, while his allies were men of the world whose conduct was governed by a different set of standards. “Others may–you cannot.”
Genesis 14:20 is the first mention of tithing in the Bible. To tithe is to give God 10 percent, whether of money, farm produce, or animals. (The Hebrew word means “ten.”) When we tithe, we acknowledge that God owns everything and that we are grateful stewards of His wealth. The Jews paid an annual tithe to the Lord (Lev. 27:30-33) as well as a tithe every third year especially for the poor (Deut. 26:12-15). They could also tithe the remaining 90 percent for a special “festive offering” to be enjoyed in Jerusalem (Deut. 12:5-19).
The practice of tithing antedated the law of Moses, for not only did Abraham tithe, but so did Jacob (Gen. 28:22). For this reason, many Christians believe that God’s people today should begin their giving with the tithe. A godly deacon said to me once, “If the Old Testament Jew under law could tithe, how much more ought New Testament Christians under grace!” The New Testament plan for giving is outlined in 2 Corinthians 8–9, but tithing is a good place to start.
We must be careful to give out of the devotion of our hearts, and not as a “bribe” for God’s blessings. The late R. G. LeTourneau, well-known Christian manufacturer and philanthropist, used to say, “If you tithe because it pays–it won’t pay!”
But Abraham provides us with a good example of giving. He brought his gifts to Jesus Christ in the person of Melchizedek (Heb. 7:1-10). We do not give our tithes and offerings to the church, the pastor, or the members of the finance committee. If our giving is a true act of worship, we will give to the Lord, and, for that reason, we want to give our very best (Mal. 1:6-8).
In one of the churches I pastored, we did not take up offerings on Sundays but provided special boxes at the exits before or after the services. A lad visiting church one day asked his friend what the boxes were for, and he told him, “That’s where we put our offerings.”
The visitor asked, “What happens to the money?”
“I think they give it to Brother Eastep,” the boy replied. (Dr. D. B. Eastep was the pastor at that time.)
Even more perplexed, the lad asked, “Well, what does Brother Eastep do with it?”
This time the boy was ready: “I don’t know how he does it, but he gives it to God!”
When my godly predecessor heard that story, he laughed heartily. He knew (as we all know) that each worshipper must bring his or her gifts to the Lord and give from a grateful heart. All of God’s people are priests and can bring their sacrifices to Him (1 Peter 2:5, 9).
Abraham was prompt in his giving. His stewardship principles were firmly fixed in his heart so there was no reason to delay.
He was also proportionate in his giving, a policy encouraged by the apostle Paul (1 Cor. 16:1-2). Tithing is a good place to begin, but as the Lord blesses, we must increase that percentage if we are to practice the kind of “grace giving” that is described in 2 Corinthians 8–9.
Abraham gave because he loved God and wanted to acknowledge His greatness and His goodness. What a contrast between “the Most High God” and the heathen idols! Abraham’s God is possessor (Creator) of heaven and earth (Gen. 14:19; Isa. 40). He deserves all the worship and praise of all of His people!
Before the battle, Abraham lifted his hand by faith in a solemn vow to God that he would take nothing from the spoils. He had a single heart and mind as he led the army (Matt. 6:24).
During the battle, Abraham wielded his sword by faith and trusted God for victory.
After the battle, by faith Abraham closed his hands to the king of Sodom but opened his hands to the King of Salem, receiving bread and wine and giving tithes.
“And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith” (1 John 5:4 nkjv).
(Note: You can study more about Melchizedek in Be Confident, an exposition of Hebrews; and “grace giving” is explained in Be Encouraged, an exposition of 2 Corinthians. Both titles are published by David C. Cook.)
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
- There can be no growth without challenge.” What do you think that means in the Christian life?
- Why did God allow Lot to become a prisoner of war? What does this say to you about God?
- What are some ways God disciplines Christians today?
- Abraham was separated from those who served false gods, but not unwilling to work with them on important things. How can Christians be like Abraham in the world today?
- Why is God’s church today not the army we should be?
- What do you need to do to be better equipped and trained to fight for what God wants done in the world? What help do you need?
- Sodom was an immoral city, self-indulgent and indifferent to the poor (Ezek. 16:49). In what ways are Christians today tempted to participate in the sins of Sodom?
- In what ways did Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek point toward Christ?
- You cannot be a servant of God and a celebrity in the world at the same time.” Do you agree or disagree with that statement? Why?
- What do you learn from Abraham’s example about giving money to God’s purposes? How can you follow his example?