Genesis 14

Chapter 14

Shortly after the separation of Lot and Abram the narrative is propelled by an outbreak of war, reasons aren’t given, but we are told Lot along with all his possessions were swept up by the invaders who have now taken them away.  One of Lot’s servants was able to make an escape however and found Abram living in Mamre who disclosed everything to him.  Abram, having a formidable group of fighters pursued the invaders and attacked at night.  The Lord gave him the victory (v20) and the invaders fled the battle, Abram seized the plunder and recovered Lot as well as his possessions. (v16)

Melchizedek, the king of Salem, possibly of JeruSALEM (Carson), met with Abram after his victory and blessed him.  We are told that Melchizedek was a priest of Jehovah.  We should note his priesthood predates any Levitical priest as the Levites are still yet in the “loins of Abram”.  Melchizedek reappears in the New Testament book of Hebrews discussing the priest of Christ.  It is peculiar that everyone of great interest in Genesis thus far is given a family pedigree, but Melchizedek is not.  The book of Hebrews picks up on this attesting that Christ’ priest is of the order of Melchizedek (as opposed to the Levites), who has no record of human ancestry just as there is no record of origin for the Son of God.  Granted Jesus’ human form is through Mary and the Holy Ghost, but Jesus the Son of God was neither created or procreated, He is the eternal Son of God and Melchizedek will serve as an allusion to this later on.

Abram presents a tenth of his spoils to Melchizedek, God’s priest.  While I believe it is a hermeneutical error to force tithing upon the people of the new covenant, the tenth that Abram gave certainly was not forced, neither was it obligated as a condition in the Abrahamic covenant.  Still a tithe of thanksgiving was given.  Giving with a grateful heart was also key for tithing in the Levitical system. (see Ex. 25:1-2) Therefore I support teaching of the tithe, given it accompanied with thanksgiving and worship as its motive and not keeping rules.

In response to the king of Sodom who also came out to meet Abram, Abram refuses to keep the spoils that he recovered that originally belonged to Sodom, lest it be said that Abram is now the man that he is because of the great gift from Sodom.  Instead, Abram request the plunder is shared equally among his allies, but not himself.