1. The Prudence of
Abram
Genesis 14:17-24

2. Background Abram and Lot have separated.
Genesis 13
5 Kings of the Plain rebel against King Chedorlaomer
Genesis 14:3-4
5 Kings are defeated by the 4 Kings from Mesopotamia
Genesis 14:8-10
All goods & food, including Lot are taken.
Genesis 14:11-12
Abram gathers his forces, defeats the kings and rescues everything and everyone.
Genesis 14:13-16

3. Genesis 14:17-24
Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He gave him a tenth of all. 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself.” 22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 “I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their share.” NASB

4. Genesis 14:17-24
Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He gave him a tenth of all. 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself.” 22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 “I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their share.” NASB

5. Abram’s Fear What concerned Abram?
That the King of Sodom would claim that he made Abram rich with what once belonged to him.
But if the king told him to take it:
He did not have the right to take it back, right?
He couldn’t begrudge the benefit to Abram, right?
So why was Abram fearful?
Abram knew just because the king had no right to take back or to begrudge what was given, it didn’t mean it couldn’t happen.

6. Abram’s Prudence Abram knew what:
He had the right to do didn’t mean he should do it.
The king of Sodom had no right to claim didn’t mean he wouldn’t try to claim it.
Abram’s understanding of this proved his prudence.
He was not naïve about what might happen.
Prudence -

7. Prudence Defined Hebrew word defined Prudence defined Crafty defined
“A feminine singular noun meaning craftiness, prudence.” Zodhiates
“arom is a root with positive (prudence) and negative (shrewdness) connotations.” TWOT
Prudence defined
“careful good judgment that allows someone to avoid danger or risks” merriam-webster.com
Crafty defined
“The adjective crafty comes from the Old English word cræftig, which meant “strong” or “powerful,” but the meaning of crafty these days has to do with being skilled at getting what you want through manipulation, deceit and trickery.” vocabulary.com

8. Prudence Explained
A crafty man will determine, given the situation, how best to take advantage of it for his own benefit.
e.g. – Genesis 3:1; 1 Cor. 7:5; Eph. 4:26-27; 2 Cor. 2:6-11
A prudent man will determine, given the situation, how best not to be taken advantage of by others.

9. Who needs prudence? Naïve – Proverbs 1:4; 8:5
“It refers to a person who is naïve concerning the complexities and challenges of life, inexperienced, lacking insight…” Zodhiates
“a naive person lacks experience of life and tends to trust other people and believe things too easily” MacMillan Dictionary

10. Abram’s Prudence Abram was prudent and not naïve.
Abram had a right to keep what he had recovered, but he knew who he was dealing with. So he followed a prudent course of action.
It is possible Abram knew the character of Sodom’s king and recognized the possibility of being taking advantage of by him. So he was not naïve about his situation.
Proverbs 22:3; 27:12
Prudence -

11. Our First Application
When we approach situations, do we show ourselves prudent or naïve?
It is dangerous to be naïve
Proverbs 14:15, 18
Proverbs 1:28-32; 7:7, 22-23
Remember Matthew 10:16
Getting too friendly with coworkers – who is influencing who?

12. Abram’s Prudence
Did Abram absolutely know the king of Sodom would really make that statement?
Abram did not say he KNEW he would but he was FEARFUL that he might.
Genesis 14:23
Abram chose a course of action based solely upon a fear of what might happen.

13. Our Second Application
Should we make decisions out of fear for what might happen or where it might lead?
Consider:
A Christian man goes to encourage a Christian woman. Should he go alone?
A high school couple choose going on single dates not double/group dates. Should they be alone?
A man/woman reconnects with their old boy/girl friend through Facebook. What is the reason for this?
Remember Romans 13:14
More decisions should be made from fear of what might happen or where it might lead.

14. Abram’s Prudence
This was not a spur of the moment decision on Abram’s part.
“I have sworn” – Abram had already decided what he would do while on his return journey. (Gen.14:22)
Abram had already played this scene through in his mind – he anticipated the possibility of the king saying this and had already decided what his answer would be and had already made an oath to God regarding it.

15. Our Third Application
Do we anticipate what might happen in certain situations and determine what we will do ahead of time?
A plan of action is needed in:
Situations wherein difficulties are unavoidable.
Confronting a brother in a sin of which he refuses to repent.
Situations wherein there is only the possibility of difficulties being present.
A gathering of friends, family or work mates where “drama”, inappropriateness, sin might happen.
Remember Matthew 25:1-13

16. Summarizing Abram demonstrated prudence by:
Not being naïve about the situation with the king of Sodom. He showed wisdom.
Making a decision from a fear of what might happen He showed foresight.
Anticipating a situation and making a plan of action He showed preparedness.
We will face situations in life wherein we must apply the prudence of Abram.

17. The Prudence of
Abram
Genesis 14:17-24