Lesson 34

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Bible Study 1 - Genesis 14

 

Series # 4:             FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FAITH

Lesson 34:            Genesis 14.1-24 A MAN OF INTEGRITY

 

 

 

Genesis 14:1-24 (KJV) “1 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;  2 That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.  3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.  4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.  5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,  6 And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.  7 And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.  8 And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;  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.  10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.  11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.  12 And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. 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.  14 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.  15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.  16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. 17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.  18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.  19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:  20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. 21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.  22 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:  24 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.”

INTRODUCTION:

 

There is a word in the English language that we hear used from time to time. Yet, this is a word that we rarely see modeled in our day. That word is the word "Integrity." It means the following: "possession of firm principles: the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards" When a person is said to have integrity, we mean that they have high moral standards. We mean that they operate in a way that causes them to seek the right way first. This is the behavior that God would have all His children exhibit all the time. One of the greatest things that can be said about your life is that you are a person of integrity.

This is the behavior that is modeled by Abram in this passage. Genesis 14 is a glimpse inside the life of this great man of God. There are three areas of his life that are dealt with in this passage. In each of these, Abram demonstrates the fact that he is a man of integrity.

 

EXPLANATION:

 

ABRAM'S INTEGRITY IN WARFARE IS SEEN IN VERSES 1-16.

 

THE SETTING FOR HIS WARFARE IS IN VERSES 1-12. 

 

This chapter tells us about a brutal invasion by a confederation of powerful kings who occupied the region that corresponds to Iraq and Iran in our day.

V. 1-11 THE SETTING INVOLVED A VICIOUS RETALIATION – VERSES 1-11.

Evidently, Sodom had been a tributary of king Chedorlaomer for some 12 years, verse 4. After 12 years, they refused to pay their tribute money and revolted. Chedorlaomer, along with his confederates, invaded Canaan to deal with these rebellious people. This invasion resulted in the sacking of Sodom and the capturing of Lot, along with all his possessions.

 

There is always some evil tyrant like Chedorlaomer who wants to put you in bondage. If you leave the things of the Lord like Lot did and walk off into the world, you can count on forming evil habits and lusts that are difficult to break.  That is the reason Paul tell us in 1 Cor. 6:12, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” Then again Paul said in 1 Cor. 10:23, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”  In fact, like Lot, you won't get free unless the Lord intervenes!

 

THE SETTING INVOLVED A VALID REASON – VERSE 12.

When Abram heard that Lot was in trouble, he went to war. I gather that Abram is a man of peace. This is the only time we see him at war in his life. However, when there was a need, he went to battle!  I  want to remind you that we are all engaged in warfare every day of our lives and our battle is Spiritual in nature. Paul said in Eph. 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Then again in 2 Cor. 10:3-5 Paul said, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

 

THE SUCCESS OF HIS WARFARE IS IN VERSES 14-16.

 

These verses tell us that Abram waged war and won a decisive victory.

VERSE 14 INVOLVED HIS PREPARATIONS FOR THE ENEMY.

Abram armed his men and prepared for the battle. God's children need to be ready at all times for spiritual battle. That is the reason Paul tells us in Eph. 6:10-18, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Our success in the spiritual battles of life hinges on how well we prepare ourselves for the battles we face.

 

VERSE 15 INVOLVED HIS PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY.

We are at war all the time, but there are times when we need to take the fight to the enemy. When it is time to stand against evil. When it is time to defend or rescue a brother. When it is time to stand in the gap for another. Let us fight the good fight, as Paul said in 2nd  Tim. 4:7. May we always demonstrate great integrity in the battles we fight. We do so by facing the enemy with faith in the Lord and His power. We do so by always being found on the side right. We do so by not shrinking from the battle for fear of the enemy. We do so by standing when others run away!

 

ABRAM'S INTEGRITY IN WORSHIP IS SEEN IN VERSES 18-20

 

THE FACILITATOR OF HIS WORSHIP IS FOUND IN VERSE 18.

Abram had faith to make war and he encountered a facilitator to help him in his worship of the Lord. Notice some truths about this mysterious man named Melchizedec.

 

  1. MELCHIZEDEC'S POSITION - He is called a "king". He is a ruler, a man of great influence, wealth and power.

  2. MELCHIZEDEC'S PLACE - He is the "King of Salem". The word "Salem" means "peace". It is an ancient name for the city of Jerusalem. His name means "King of Righteousness".

  3. MELCHIZEDEC'S PROVISIONS - When he comes, he brings bread and wine. Both are products of the area and are given to the weary patriarch to help him after the battle.

  4. MELCHIZEDEC'S PRIESTHOOD - He is also a priest of God. Abram wasn't the only man around who knew who the Lord was. He prays for Abram and pronounces a blessing on him and his life.

  5. MELCHIZEDEC'S PORTRAIT - This mysterious man is one of the earliest and clearest pictures of the Lord Jesus in the Bible.

     

    For the sake of reference, let's look at another passage that deals with Melchizedec in detail, Heb. 7:1-4 “1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;  2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;  3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.  4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.  5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:  6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.  7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.  8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.  9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.  10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?  12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.  13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.  14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.” THEN LOOK AT VERSES 15-17. “15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,  16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.  17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. ”

     

    WHO WAS MELCHISEDEC?

    There have been many ideas concerning his identity down through the centuries. The most popular are that he was Job, Shem, Enoch returned to earth, and angel or Jesus Himself.  

  1. HE WAS NOT SHEM – SHEM’S FATHER WAS KNOWN. Heb. 7:3 says of Melchisedec, “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.” Although Shem was still alive at this time. He died some 40 years after Abraham.

  2. HE WAS NOT AN ANGEL - CALLED A MAN.  Heb. 7:4 says of Melchisedec, “Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.”

  3. HE WAS NOT JESUS. I conclude this based on Heb. 7:3; 15, he was “…made like unto the Son of God…” Verse 15, “And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,” 

Most likely, Melchizedec was just a godly man who knew the true and living God. He was a man. He was born and he died like a man, but the Old Testament is silent concerning the details of his life. Why? So that he might be seen as a more clear type of Jesus Christ.

 

LOOK AT THE PICTURE HE PAINTS OF JESUS.

  1. AN ETERNAL PRIEST, NO BEGINNING OR END. Heb. 7:3 – “…made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.” Heb. 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” 

  2. PRESENTING BREAD AND WINE. Genesis 14:18 says, “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.” These picture the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, Who said that the bread represented His broken body and the wine His shed blood. Luke 22:19-20 says, “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” 

  • HE WAS A KING, Jesus is a king.

  • HE WAS A PRIEST, Jesus is a priest.

  • HE WAS NAME KING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jesus is absolutely righteous.

  • HE WAS KING OF PEACE. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, Isa. 9:6.

 

THE FRUIT OF HIS WORSHIP IS FOUND IN VERSES 19-20 A

 

He was blessed for his faithfulness to the Lord. This is made obvious by the phrase "Abram OF the most high God." Abram is known for his relationship to the Lord and is blessed as a result. There is no greater commentary on your life or mine than for someone to say, "They are a Christian!" When we give our lives to Him in obedience and worship, our Heavenly Father is honored, we are blessed and the world is given His light. This is the fruit that can be expected from a life of consistent obedience and worship before the Lord.

 

THE FAITHFULNESS OF HIS WORSHIP IS FOUND IN VERSE 20 B

 

Abram experienced the Lord's grace in his life by tithing back to the work of the Lord. You will notice that Abram tithed while he was still a Gentile. He had not yet been circumcised and was not yet a Jew. The tithe is a means of honoring God for His blessings upon your life.

  1. TITHING IS AN EXPRESSION OF WORSHIP. Paul said in 2 Cor. 9:7, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

  2. TITHING IS A TEST OF OBEDIENCE. Paul said in 1 Cor. 16:2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him…”

  3. TITHING IS AN EXPRESSION OF OUR HONESTY AND COMMITMENT.  God said in Mal. 3:8-9, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.”

  4. TITHING IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LORD TO BLESS YOUR LIFE FURTHER. Doctor Luke said in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”  

  5. GOD SAID in Mal. 3:10, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

  6. PAUL SAID in 2 Cor. 9:6, “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

     

ABRAM HONORED THE LORD IN ALL THINGS. THAT IS ALL HE ASKS OF US! Your integrity in the arena of the worship and acknowledgment of the Lord says much about the condition of your heart and life. Those who love Him will worship Him with their time, their tithe and their talents. Have you given consideration to what you are doing to worship and honor the Lord God?

 

ABRAM'S INTEGRITY IN WEALTH IS SEEN IN VERSES 21-24

 

When Abram won this great military victory, he also took possession of the spoils of all the defeated cities. This would have represented a tremendous amount of wealth. Let's observe how Abram dealt with the money.

 

THE TEMPTATION HE ENDURED IN VERSE 21.

 

The king of Sodom offered to allow Abram to keep all the goods he had won. Surely this must have been a great temptation. I think we humans are more tempted in the area of money than we are in any other area. We all search for ways to be sure that we come out on top when all the coins are counted. People cheat on taxes. People cut corners everywhere they can to get ahead. People will drive twenty miles to save 2 cents on a gallon of gas. People will become outraged if they are shortchanged, but most will keep quiet when they are overpaid. In fact, if you will let me have a look at your checkbook register, I will tell you in about five or ten minutes what the number priority is in your life! The stewardship of our money says volumes about us!

 

THINK ABOUT THE TESTIMONY HE EXHIBITED IN VERSES 22-24.

 

Abram's response is classic! He refuses to take a dime from the king of Sodom. He would rather trust the Lord to take care of him than to feel like he owed any man anything. He did not want this wicked king to get his hooks into him! There are some folks who will do anything for a dollar! I pray that we will be cautious and be determined that we will not succumb to the temptation to make a dishonest dollar. If we will exercise integrity in our handling of our resources, we can rest assured that the Lord will look after the needs we may have in this life. Paul said in Phil. 4:14-19, “14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.  15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.  17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.  19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” The Philippians had contributed to the work of the Apostle and could rest in the assurance that God would take care of them should a need arise! By the way, verse 19 is not a blanket promise!

 

CONCLUSION:

 

The three areas of life that we have examined in this study are all vitally important! If we are in tune to the Holy Spirit it brings us to ask ourselves if we are walking in absolute integrity in the areas of our Warfare, our Worship and our Wealth. My prayer is that God help us to search our hearts and deal with any problems we may find there.

 

It may be that with some of you your Warfare is with the Devil and you want Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you cannot worship God because you are not His child if Jesus is not your Savior, and you are the poorest person on the face of the earth even with a bank full of money if you do not have an inheritance in heaven. What will you profit if you gain the whole world and lose your own soul?

 

 

DO YOU NEED SOME HELP?

 

To find more help in receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Savior please go to the Bible Study Title Page “ETERNAL LIFE.” Please send me an email and let me know about any decision for Christ you make so that I may pray for you. Feel free to send me any questions, comments, or responses you may have as well. For those who are already Christians I invite you to also please let me know of any decisions you make in your Christian life for Jesus. Please send me your questions, comments, or responses and let me know if the Bible Studies are helping you.

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ALWAYS REMEMBER!

 

The support of your local Church ministry and the ministry of your Pastor should be the first priority of your Christian life and your service to the Lord. Be faithful to prayerfully prepare and attend Sunday School and Worship Service this Sunday and participate in worship as your Pastor preaches the Word. Do not forget to give the Lord at least your TITHE through your local church from your gross income – that is your first fruits. Any other other giving is an offering to a ministry unto the Lord. Honor the Lord in all you do and with all that you have. Always remember that everything you have and all you are belongs to the Lord. It is on loan to you – so manage it well! There will be an audit one day! Make sure the Books Balance!

 

All Bible Studies Are Prepared by Pastor Frank Denning And May Be Be Used By Permission.