Abram and His Conflict

Abram And His Conflict

(Genesis 14:1-24)

Introduction:

Some time ago, I shared with you from Genesis 12 some things about Abram And His Call. More recently, I spoke to you on a Sunday night from Genesis 13 about Abram And His Connections.

Tonight, it’s on my heart to share with you from Genesis 14 about Abram and His Conflict.

This is the first record of a war between nations. As The Preacher’s Homiletic Commentary states…

From the character of some of the nations into which the earth was divided after the flood, we may reasonably suppose that there were wars before the time to which we are introduced by this chapter. But this is the first war of which we have any record, and it will be found in its chief features to be much like all other wars. The worst passions of mankind break out in the same disastrous manner from age to age. This first war of history may be compared with all the rest which have followed, at least in its chief characteristics.

I. As To Its Motives

1. Ambition

2. Plunder

3. The Desire To Recover Lost Sovereignty

II. As To The Conditions Of Its Success

Means were used which had a tendency to secure the desired end.

1. By Depriving The Enemy Of All Friendly Help vs. 5-7

2. By Favorable Physical Conditions vs. 10

3. By Moral Causes

The inhabitants of the Cities of the Plain were corrupted by those vices which often accompany prosperity. They grew luxurious and effeminate – the victims of self-indulgence.

III. As To Its Results

1. That Men Often Suffer Who Take No Part In The Quarrel

2. That The Vanquished Do Not Always Benefit By The Discipline Of Adversity

The men of Sodom and Gomorrah did not learn wisdom by this calamity, but continued in their wickedness until by a severer judgment they were doomed to destruction.

Verses 1 thru 4 reveals the History Of This Battle

Verses 5 thru 10 reveals the Heat Of This Battle

Then verse 11 and 12 reveals the Heartache Of This Battle for Abram personally

Warren Wiersbe says that in this chapter, Abraham was…

A Watcher in verses 1-12

A Warrior in verses 13-16

A Worshipper in verses 17-24

The thing that moved him from being a watcher to being a warrior is seen in verse 12. He got involved in this conflict because when the four Chaldean kings overthrew Sodom, they “took Lot, Abram's brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.”

(Genesis 14:13) And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.

I. In His Warfare Abram Was Rescuing Lot

A. The Conflict Was Notable

1. Notice His Foes In This Battle

(Genesis 14:9) With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.

Chedorlaomer – means servant of [the Canaanite God] Lagamar (From Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

Tidal – means fearfulness.

Amraphel – means one that speaks of secrets (From Hitchcock’s Bible Names Dictionary)

Arioch – means lion-like, venerable (From Easton’s Bible Dictionary)

The odds seem to be against him…

The males of his own household were but 318, hastily prepared and armed, and with this insignificant force he ventures to pursue an army flushed with victory and commanded by four powerful monarchs! Surely Gideon’s exploit in the war with the Midianites was scarcely more desperate. It is easier to believe that in each case the success was miraculous.

(The Preacher’s Homiletic Commentary)

Surely, Abram went into this conflict trusting in God for victory.

(1 John 4:4) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

When the King of Syria cam against Elisha with a huge army…

(2 Kings 6:15-17) And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? {16} And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. {17} And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

But he had some assistance…

2. Notice His Friends In This Battle

(Genesis 14:13) And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.

Amorite – H567. 'Emoriy, em-o-ree'; prob. a patron. from an unused name derived from H559 in the sense of publicity, i.e. prominence; thus a mountaineer; an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes:--Amorite.

He had some good ole mountain boys who were his friends.

confederate – indicates that they had a covenant or an agreement that they would look out for each other.

B. The Cause Was Noble

1. He Helped A Brother In Spite Of Lot’s Previous Decisions (Cf. Genesis 13:10-11)

2. He Helped A Brother In Spite Of Lot’s Present Domain

(Genesis 14:12) And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

It would have been easy for Abram to let Lot suffer the sad consequences of his own foolish decision. But a man of faith is called “to be a blessing,” so Abram went to the rescue. Lot was not a very dedicated believer, but he was still a brother and needed help. When a brother or a sister creates problems for you, remember Abram and the words of Romans 12:21. Lot went right back into Sodom, but Abram did what he did for the Lord; and that’s what really counts. (Warren Wiersbe – Chapter By Chapter Commentary)

(Romans 12:21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Abram’s effort to save Lot figures the conflict into which true men of faith come in their attempts to deliver those of their brethren, who, like Lot, though righteous, yet cling to outward things. … The man who has been alone with God is the man who can break the chains of Babylon for his unfaithful brethren.

(Andrew Jukes – Types In Genesis)

II. In His Worship Abram Was Reverencing The Lord

A. There Is Evidence Of Worship In His Talk With Melchizedek

(Genesis 14:18) And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

Melchizedek means “king of righteousness,” and Salem means “peace.” Hebrews 7 and Psalms 110 both connect Melchizedek with Jesus Christ, the “King of peace,” and the “King of righteousness” (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 a reminder of our Lord’s death for us on the cross.

(Warren Wiersbe in The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament)

1. Melchizedek Points To Christ In A Typological Way

See Hebrews 7

(Psalms 110:4) The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

(John 8:56) Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Abraham saw Christ in the priestly servant of chapter 14, in the promised son of chapter 17 and 18, and in the presented sacrifice of chapter 22.

2. Melchizedek Points To Christ In A Truthful Way

(Genesis 14:19) And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

Most high God – El-elyon – the strong God who is supreme

possessor of heaven and earth is a new facet of God’s person that Abraham latches onto very quickly – vs. 22.

B. There Is Evidence Of Worship In His Tithing To Melchizedek

1. This Is The Original Mention Of Tithing

(Genesis 14:20) And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

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 (Leviticus 27:30-33) as well as a tithe every third year especially for the poor (Deuteronomy 26:12-15). They could also tithe the remaining 90 percent for a special “festive offering” to be enjoyed in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12:5-19).

The practice of tithing antedated the Law of Moses; for not only did Abraham tithe, but so did Jacob (Genesis 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.

(Warren Wiersbe in The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament)

2. This Is The Original Method Of Tithing

(Acts 4:33-37) And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. {34} Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, {35} And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. {36} And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, {37} Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

III. In His Words Abram Was Refusing The Loot

A. He Had A Determined Commitment In This Area

1. His Commitment Involved Intent (There Seems To Have Been Premeditation Involved)

(Genesis 14:22-23) And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, {23} That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

2. His Commitment Involved Integrity (There Seems To Have Been Piety Involved)

(Genesis 14:23) That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

He was careful not to align himself and associate himself with the King of Sodom.

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 (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!

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.

(Warren Wiersbe in The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament)

B. He Had A Divine Consolation In This Area

(Genesis 15:1) After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

1. God Would Protect Him From Retaliation

shield – Hebrew 4043. magen, maw-gane'; also (in plur.) fem. meginnah, meg-in-naw'; from H1598; a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); fig. a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile:-- X armed, buckler, defence, ruler, + scale, shield.

Perhaps he felt the burden of being an outsider and being different, for he was called “the Hebrew.”

He was “Abram, the Hebrew” (v. 13), which means “the outsider, the person with no secure place in society.”

(Warren Wiersbe in The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament)

Hebrew – H5680. 'Ibriy, ib-ree'; patron. from H5677; an Eberite (i.e. Hebrew) or descendant of Eber (meaning from the opposite side – specifically of the Euphrates River.

2. God Would Provide Him With Reward

Even though he had refused the treasure of Sodom, God would give him reward.