Chapter Summary 13 - 14

SERIES #4

ABRAHAM – FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF FAITH

 

God told Abram to leave his family and go to Canaan (12:1), but Abram brought his nephew Lot. Yet separation from Lot was necessary to ensure Abram’s son alone would inherit his material and spiritual blessings. Soon herds that had grown too great to share grass and water caused family conflict, and forced the necessary separation (13:1-13). God invited Abram to travel through the whole land, saying “I will give [it] to you and your offspring forever” (vv. 14-18). When Lot is taken by raiding armies from the north, Abram defeats the superior force in a night attack (14:1-16). Abram accepted the blessing of Melchizedek, a type of Christ (vv. 17-20), but rejected the king of Sodom’s offer of wealth, lest Sodom rather than God be credited with enriching him (vv. 21-24).

 

KEY VERSES 13:15; 14:22-23:

God’s commitment, and Abram’s response.

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

Abram’s surrender of his right as eldest to first choice diffused family conflict. Despite Lot’s bad choice and its consequence, Abram remained loyal and rescued him. What attitudes of Abram can we apply in our own family life?

 

NEGEV.

The word means “south,” and identifies the dry plains area between Egypt and Palestine.

 

Bethel.

 A highland city north of Jerusalem, associated with worship from the time of Abraham. After the death of Solomon, a worship center was set up there by an apostate king to rival the established worship center at Jerusalem.

 

PLAIN OF THE JORDAN.

The rich flat plain at the southern end of the Jordan Valley. Apparently in ancient times it was irrigated, as was the Nile Valley. Lot was dazzled by the land’s fertility but did not consider the character of the evil men of Sodom (You see this in Gen. 19). Who we choose as neighbors is more important than the looks of the neighborKedorlaomer (Kedor-LAY-oh-mr). The peoples named in Gen. 14:1-7 lived north of Palestine. Though there is no secular mention of the persons, the name contains authentic Elamite name elements. In this early period warring kings tended to raid for booty and prisoners rather than to occupy land.

 

MELCHIZEDEK (MEL-KIZ-A-DECK).

This king of Salem (later renamed Jerusalem) serves as a type of Christ. His name means “king of peace” and he was also a priest. Abraham recognized his priestly authority in accepting a blessing from him (14:19) and in giving him a tithe of everything (v. 20). Psalm 110:4 identifies the Messiah (God’s promised Savior) as a “priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” The writer of Hebrews uses this verse to demonstrate Jesus’ superiority as our High Priest to the high priests of the O.T. system (Heb. 4:14-5:10)]

A TENTH (TITHE).

The percent of one’s yearly income the O.T. Sets aside for God. While no N.T. passage teaches tithing, the practice antedates the Mosaic Law, and serves as a good rule of thumb for believers today.

 

“BLESSED BE.”

A formula used under inspiration to bestow prophetic blessing on others. The act of blessing usually implies spiritual superiority.