Scripture Reference: Genesis 14
3. Abraham the Worshiper
Please read Genesis 14:17-24 for the background to this section.
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 (Joshua 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 (which means “burning”), and Melchizedek, King of Salem (meaning “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 then gave him tithes of the spoils. All of this is symbolic and presents some very important spiritual truths that we should all understand and apply today.
Abraham had to choose between two kings who represented two opposite ways of life. Sodom, as we know, was a wicked city (Genesis 13:13; Ezekiel 16:49-50), and Bera represented the dominion of this world system with its appeal to the flesh (Ephesians 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” (Psalm 85:10). 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 (Isaiah 32:17; Hebrews 12:11). Certainly we can see in the bread and wine the remembrance 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 in essence, “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 right to claim the spoils; but morally, from his perspective, they were out of bounds. Believers, remember this, 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.” Just as God wants to use us as believers for His glory (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20), so the enemy wants to use people for evil purposes (Romans 6:12-13). The enemy said, in effect, “Give me your body,” to Joseph (Genesis 39) and Daniel (Daniel 1); but they said, “No!” But when the enemy said the same to Samson (Judges 16), David (2 Samuel 11), and Judas (John 13:27), they said, “Yes!” Remember the heavy price they all paid!
Abraham didn’t accept King Bera’s offer. Instead, it is likely that Abraham gave everyone he had rescued 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.
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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