“The Faith of Abraham – Part 4” Genesis 14:1-24 10/18/2009 Dr “The Faith of Abraham – Part 4” Genesis 14:1-24 10/18/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” In the background, a huge international conflagration was brewing that would sweep through the valley where his nephew Lot had chosen to make his home.

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” This is the only chapter in the Book of Genesis that connects a patriarch with great historic events that bring him out onto the international stage.

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” This wandering Jew who has just walked away from internal strife, now throws himself headlong into a global conflict and, amazingly, routs the enemy.

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” He walks away from the spoils of war and the praise of men. The text squarely addresses the issue of the tension between involvement and detachment in the politics of this world.

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” A Global Conflict: The War of Kings (14:1-12). The War of Kings (14:1-9). 1 At this time Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim (Gen. 14:1)

Genesis 14:2, 4 2 went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 4 For twelve years they had been subject to Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

Genesis 14:5 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

Genesis 14:6-7 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 Hazazon Tamar.

Genesis 14:8 8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and drew up their battle lines in the Valley of Siddim

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” 9 against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. (Gen. 14:9 What we have here is a very ancient text that has carefully preserved place names and titles.

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” 9 against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. (Gen. 14:9 What we have here is a very ancient text that has carefully preserved place names and titles.

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” Amraphel king of Shinar (Babylonia). Arioch king of Ellasar (eastern Asia Minor or perhaps the southern coast of the Black Sea).

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” Kedorlaomer was king of Elam, a powerful state in the Middle East. Tidal king of Goiim may be the Hittite kingdom in Anatolia.

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” Their army traversed the entire length of the land of promise, down the “King’s Highway,” which was the international trade route connecting Arabia with the port of the Red Sea. As their path of destruction continues they seem to circumnavigate the whole of the land at will.

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” The Booty and Plunder of War (14:10-12). 12 They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom. The conquerors arrive to find the cities deserted and the spoils lying there for the taking.

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” So Abram’s nephew suffers the same fate as the city he chose to live in.

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” The Intervention of Abram (14:13-16). 13 One 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 of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. (Gen. 14:13)

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” Abram is referred to as Abram the “Hebrew” (lit. “one from beyond, from the other side,” perhaps from beyond the Jordan or Euphrates). Abram, the nomad from the other side of the tracks, has no vested political interest in the alliances of the day.

Genesis 14:14-15 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.

Genesis 14:16 16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” How did the conversation between nephew and uncle go on the long trek home? Lot’s choice to settle in Zoar (19:19-22) will be tainted by the same sexual perversion that dominated Sodom. Everything that was once lost is now fully restored.

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” The Aftermath of Battle: Worship vs. Spoils (14:17-24). Abram and Melchizedek (14:17-20) 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).

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” They arrive simultaneously, but their responses could not be more different. 18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, (Gen. 14:18)

Genesis 14:19-20 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” Melchizedek is the first priest mentioned in the Bible, which gives his actions great significance. In response to the blessing, Abram offers a tenth of the spoils, symbolic of his worship. So once again we see that the chief end of man is worship, not glory.

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” Abram and the King of Sodom (14:21-24) 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” (Gen. 14:21) “Give me the soul(s), the goods take for yourself.”

Genesis 14:22-23 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.’

Genesis 14:24 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, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” He decided he was not about to accept a promotion or join this king’s political party (Sodomite). Abram operates on a totally different agenda.

“The Faith of Abraham – 4” Conclusion Abram’s faith has allowed him to deal properly with every relationship spoken of in this text. Worshiping the God Most High remains his supreme calling. In the end, “walking away” from success may well be one of Abram’s supreme acts of worship.

“The Faith of Abraham – Part 4” Genesis 14:1-24 10/18/2009 Dr “The Faith of Abraham – Part 4” Genesis 14:1-24 10/18/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles