# 48 2022 Dev. Ge.14: The Prince of Peace! Read all of Ch.14 first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. How will it affect yours? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Ge. 14:18 “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Ge.14 gives us an insight into the the culture of the day. It did not take long for the world to be full of violence as it was before the flood. But things are different in that people did not live as long and the population did not increase at the rate before the flood. Also, there were more people calling upon the name of the Lord, Abraham, Lot, Malchizedek and how many more we are not told about.
Vs.1-4 Is a summary of the Kings about to wage war. The war was about re-subjecting most of Canaan and some surrounding areas because kings and peoples had rebelled seeking to be free. Things have not changed much today, counties are scheming, and plotting to dominate their neighbors. Some are planning to dominate the world.
Vs.5-7 The dominate kings execute their plan and are successful in defeating their enemies and also some innocent areas. The aggressors stood ready to conquer the rest of the land. Abram also was at risk. That is the issue here, Satan wants to disrupt, put an end to God’s plan for Abram.
Vs.8-12 The people not yet conquered, five kings, including the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah gathered to defend themselves. But the four kings fighting against them had the advantage, perhaps numerically, but certainly in experience. It was a route, and they confiscated all the food and goods, the women, and Lot, family and all he had. Think of the scope of this war, Lot and Abram could not stay together because the land could not support them. It was a big operation to carry off all those belongings and heards.
Vs.13-16 “A man who had escaped and reported this to Abram the Hebrew.” The name Hebrew, that came to be the description of the Jewish people was a derogatory designation: meaning, a rootless, landless wanderer. Abram understood the place he lived in and was prepared, he had trained soldiers. He also was aligned with three brothers who were Amorites, who had a vested interest since this group had attacked their people as well. I think they were up against a large force in that could carry off a huge amount of booty and many people as well. Abraham followed them for 150 miles, divided his forces and attacked at night. They routed them and chased them to the north of Damascus about 100 more miles. Abram drove them out of the country. Even in overwhelming odds God is in control, God’s call to Abram and His plan for Canaan was not to be derailed. We hope and pray this will be case for Ukraine over Russia. From our perspective the Ukraine war is a major struggle between the evil of unjust aggression and the good of freedom.
Vs.17-24 On Abram’s return, Melchizedek, king of Salam (Jerusalem), a priest of the God Most High, met him and blessed him and praised God for delivering Abram. Heb. 4:14 calls Melchizedek a type of Christ, “Christ our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.” Abram tithed to him a tenth. Abram also gave those who went with him their fair share but he refused to take anything from the king of Sodom. Abram waged peace in his time, foreshadowing the Prince of Peace!
Heavenhigh 