Abraham & Lot Refusing the world Genesis 13-14

Where are we in Abram’s life?

Abraham returns to the altar of 12:8

God had made Abram rich (2) But with riches come trials!

God limited the land so it would not support Abram & Lot How will they solve the conflict?

“Blessed are the peacemakers” Please…no strife – we are brethren (8) Abram let Lot choose first because he trusted God Lot chose for himself (11) Not thinking about spiritual food for his family Not thinking about the future Faith motivates us to be peacemakers too!

God brought choices into their lives Plains of Jordan Gen 13:11-13 11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. 12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD.

What about our choices in life? Place to live, career, friends, spouse, TV, internet use?

God blessed the peacemaker Gen 13:14-17 14 And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are-- northward, southward, eastward, and westward; 15 "for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. 16 "And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. 17 "Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you." Faith allows us to entrust our future to God

5 Kings near the Valley of Siddim rebel from their 4 overlord kings from Babylonia & Elam. The 4 kings head south to restore their rule and defeat others along the way home.

4 kings defeat the 5 local kings 4 kings defeat the 5 local kings. They also defeat Sodom & Gomorrah, taking Lot and his family north

Abraham hears about Lot’s capture and immediately sets out to rescue Lot with 318 of his men

Abraham’s men attack by night and rescue Lot, the men of Sodom, and all their goods. Then they return south

Abram, Melchizedek, and the King of Sodom meet up * . Sodom

Abram meets Melchizedek Abram would have appeared as a military giant of his day. He submits to Melchizedek and gives all the glory to God

Melchizedek: King and Priest! King: administers justice Priest: extends mercy Not allowed under the Law, because the Law could not provide salvation. Uzziah was struck with leprosy when he tried! God’s Son would one day reign as King/Priest. David acted the part when he brought the ark into Jerusalem.

Melchizedek in Hebrews 7 1) Melchi - zedek = King of righteousness 2) King of Salem = King of peace No father or mother, no genealogy, no beginning or ending Remains a priest forever Made like the Son of God (presented in the Bible like God’s Son) Abraham gave him 1/10, people under Law were commanded to pay tithes to Levites, and even Levi in a sense paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abram!

Psalm 110: King/Priest Invited to sit with God on His throne as king (v.1). “Rule” (v.2) Lord has sworn (oath) “your are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek” (v.4) Paul argues in Heb 7 that: If perfection were attainable through the Levitical priests, then God would not have predicted that a priest would arise after the order of Melchizedek (v.11) if God predicted He would change the priesthood, He also must change the Law (v.12) Psa 110 predicted an immortal priest – better (v.25)

Are you willing to draw lines for God in your life? Abram draws the line! Refuses to take any of Sodom’s stuff Promised God he would not take it (v.22-23) Didn’t want the king of Sodom to claim he had made Abram rich. Abram didn’t want any connection to Sodom – he wanted a clear separation This incident was Lot’s warning – he should have moved out of Sodom, but he was too connected. Now it will cost him his family  Are you willing to draw lines for God in your life?

Think about your lines this week at camp!