BibleNote

---

MELCHIZEDEK BLESSES ABRAM

Genesis 14:1-24                                                               Lesson 10

Key verse 14:19,20  We see Abram’s different side: he was not a helpless, weak old man, but a powerful, brave warrior.

To become a father of many nations, a father of faith, Abram should pass all kinds of ‘faith’ test. He failed his first test: material test in Egypt. But he passed the test by giving the best land to Lot. Abram chose God’s promised more than visible benefit. God comforted him with promise of blessing.

Now Abram became rich and powerful. God tested Abram with the second test: power and fame. Glory. God gave Abram a great victory. Abram became a war hero like Eisenhauer, who later became a president of US. Abram could have been tempted to become a king of Mesopotamia. But God sent Mechizedek to protect Abram from the temptation. Abram passed the test by giving a tenth of everything to Mel.

A man of faith must live by faith, not shaken by wealth and popularity or Human glory.

Our Lord Jesus overcame the temptations in Matthew 4:8-10.

1.Look at v. 1-12. Who was Kedorlaomer and Why did he go to war? Where did the big battle between the 4 kings and the 5 kings take place? Who won? What was the result to the defeated cities?

Abram Rescues Lot

14 At the time when Amraphel was king of Shinar,^[a] Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goyim, ² these kings went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). ³ All these latter kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Dead Sea Valley). ⁴ For twelve years they had been subject to Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

⁵ In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim ⁶ and the Horites in the hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran near the desert. ⁷ Then they turned back and went to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazezon Tamar.

⁸ Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboyim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and drew up their battle lines in the Valley of Siddim ⁹ against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goyim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. ¹⁰ Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into them and the rest fled to the hills. ¹¹ The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. ¹² They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.

There was a war between the four kings and the five kings.

K and the four kings won the battle. As the result, Lot was captured because he lived in the city of Sodom.

Lot lost everything when he chose for himself and moved to the city of Sodom.

2.Look at v. 13-16. How and why did Abram get involved in this war? (Jn 10:11) Describe Abram's military campaign. What was the outcome of the war? What temptations might this victory present to him?

¹³ A man who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother^[b] of Eshkol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. ¹⁴ When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. ¹⁵ During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. ¹⁶ He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Abram reminds us of the good shepherd Jesus, who laid his life for the sheep.

Abraham was a good shepherd for Lot even though Lot left with his selfish ambition.

Abraham risked his life to rescue Lot.

Abraham could have been tempted to become a king of Mesopotamia like a war hero, Eisenhauer, who became a president of USA.

3. Look at v.17-20a. Who were the 2 kings that came to meet Abram? (Heb 7:1-3) What did Melchizedek bring to Abram, and what is the significance of this? (Mt 26:26-28) How did he bless Abram and what did he teach Abram about? Why was this important for Abram at this time? (Mt 4:10)

¹⁷ After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). ¹⁸ Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, ¹⁹ and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth. ²⁰ And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

7 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, ² and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” ³ Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” ²⁷ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ This is my blood of the^[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’^[a]”

When we become success, two options we encounter----seek self glory or seek glory to God.

Abram chose seeking the glory of God, not for self-glory. God sent Melchi to protect Abram from temptation of pride and popularity.

Melchi taught two things to Ab: 1. Our God is the Creator of heaven and earth. 2. Victory came from the Lord. All things including victory came from the Lord.

Melchizedek means ‘king of righteousness.’ Salem is the shorten word of Jerusalem. Salem means ‘peace’. So Melchi is the king of righteousness and the king of peace like Jesus.

Melchi is known as pre-incarnation figure of Jesus. (Read Heb 7:1-3)

4.Look at v.20b-24. How did Abram respond to Melchizedek's blessing? What reasons did Abram give for refusing to keep any of the material goods of Sodom for himself? What does this reveal about his faith?

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. ²¹ The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” ²² But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, ²³ that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ ²⁴ I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

Abram accepted Melchi’s spiritual advice and gave a tenth of everything as expression of his gratitude and faith.

This is the origin and beginning of tithing.

Abram did not cheat God’s glory. Rather he rendered glory to God.

In this way Abram passed the 2^nd test.

---

Attachment

• Ge14-01-24-answer (1).docx

---