OceanSide church of Christ

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ABRAM BLESSED AGAIN

Genesis 14

Victor M. Eskew

 

I.           Title of Genesis 14

 

A.   Abram Blessed Again.

B.    Uncle to the Rescue

C.   A Right Attitude

D.   War Brings Curses and Blessings

 

II.         The Key Verse of Genesis 14:  Genesis 14:18-19

 

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine:  and he was the priest of the most high God.  And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, pos-sessor of heaven and earth.

 

Why this text?  God continues to show that He is with Abram in the chapter.  He is victorious in battle, recovers his nephew from the enemy, and is blessed by Melchiz-edeck, priest of the most high God, upon his return home.

 

III.       The Outline of Genesis 14

 

i.               THE CAPTURE OF LOT (Gen. 14:1-12)

ii.              THE COMPASSION OF ABRAM (Gen. 14:13-16)

iii.            THE COMMUNICATION WITH MELCHIZEDEK (Gen. 14:17-24)

 

IV.        The Lessons of Genesis 14

 

A.   Lessons about war (Gen. 14:1-12)

1.     War is a very old institution (Gen. 14:1).

2.     War involves at least two sides against one another (Gen. 14:1-2).

3.     War means that opposing forces are “joined together” in physical aggression (Gen. 14:3).

4.     War often involves the rebellion of those in submission to those in authority (Gen. 14:4).

5.     War involves winners and losers (Gen. 14:5-10).

6.     War brings spoils to the victors (Gen. 14:10).

7.     War brings consequences to the innocent (Gen. 14:12).

 

B.    Abram is called a Hebrew (Gen. 14:13a)

 

And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew…

 

1.     The word “Hebrew” means “from across the river.  Abram was from across the river Euphrates.

2.     Abram was “the father of the Jews,” but he was never officially a Jew.

3.     All Jews are Hebrews, but not all Hebrews are Jews.

C.   There are times when alliances with others work for our benefit (Gen. 14:13b).

 

…for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, the brother of Eshcol, and the brother of Aner:  and these were confederate with Abram.

 

1.     We are never to compromise our spiritual values and the teachings of Scripture in our confederation with others.

2.     We should seek peace with others, if it is possible (Rom. 12:18).

 

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

 

D.   Abram had a deep compassion for his nephew, Lot, and exhibited it by rescuing Lot from the enemy (Gen. 14:14, 16).

 

And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan…and he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and took the people.

 

E.    In the Old Testament, we often find strategies of warfare presented that will enable one to defeat his enemies (Gen. 14:15).

 

And he divided himself against them, he and his servants by night, and smote them…

 

1.     Abram divided his troops.

2.     He attacked by night.

 

F.     Victory in war often brings honor to the commander.  NOTE:  Two kings went to meet Abram after he slaughtered Chedolaomer, and the kings that were with him (Gen. 14:17-18).

 

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him…And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine…

 

G.   Not only was Melchizedek a king, he was also a priest of the most high God (Gen. 14:18).

1.     Many questions arise about Melchizedek.

a.     How was he appointed?

b.    What were his responsibilities?

c.    Who did his ministry impact?

2.     Two actions involved in this communication with Melchizedek will be very important in the New Testament.

a.     Melchizedek blesses Abram (Gen. 14:19).

b.    Abram pays tithes to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:20).

 

 

 

 

H.   Abram was careful not to beholden himself to the king of Sodom (Gen. 14:21-23).

 

And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself…That I will not take from a thread to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich.

 

I.     Abram did provide for those who assisted him in the battle (Gen. 14:24).  A laborer is worthy of his hire.

 

Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.