In this sermon from Genesis 14, Pastor Mark shows that there were both battles and blessings happening simultaneously, as we often see in our own lives today. The final portion covers the mysterious, debated figure, Melchizedek, and whether he was a typology, pointing us to Christ, or a Christophony, an actual appearance or manifestation of Christ Himself.
How Does God Deliver a Family? (God Shows Up for a Couple in Crisis: Gen 14:1-24) (12)
Battles & Blessings – 2 train tracks analogy??
Battles
Genesis 14:1–24 In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, 2 these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). 4 Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the border of the wilderness. 7 Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh) and defeated all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who were dwelling in Hazazon-tamar. 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) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim 9 with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five. 10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country. 11 So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. 12 They also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way. 13 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.
Sin & Curse = Leading to military buildup
1. God cares about geopolitical conflicts & crises
A). Shinar = Babylon/Iraq today B). Elam = Iran today C). Other locations ???? = uncertain
2. 4 kings invade 5 city-states, subjugated 12 yrs, citizens revolt against invaders
Lot
1. Abraham & Lot = so blessed needed to separate
2. Lot chose the land next to Sodom & moved family there & taken in war
3. Will move back to Sodom & need to be delivered again
Is a believer, but never see build altar for family or join Abraham in worship
4. His father died, Abraham is a father figure?
Lot is a one-way high need/drama relative (Relationships: 1. health 2. unhealthy 3. no)
Abraham – active faith (vs passive faith)
1. “Hebrew” appears 1st time “the outsider” – holy/set apart from the world
2. Abraham just gave Sarai away, repented, now goes to war for Lot & women/children?
3. Basically small kingdom (318 special forces militia, livestock, farm, gold, silver, staff, church)
=Beginning of the nation of Israel
4. #’s small like David’s 400/Gideon’s 300 warriors = defeated 5 kings & 6 tribes
5. Attacked at night for surprised = A. Trust God B. Make a plan
6. Pushed enemies 100 miles & into tar pits
7. Abraham NOT pacifist = 75? riding into war 120? mi leading all armies = 1 unified army
Just War? (GOD) = just flooded everyone but 8 EVIL – must be stopped
1. legitimate authority, 2. defensive not offensive, 3. noble cause, 4. proportional force, 5. soldiers not civilians targeted, 6. preserves more lives than it takes, 7. is a last resort
Blessings
Genesis 14:17 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. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”
King of Sodom
· King of Sodom – Want’s blessing not Blessor
· Abraham does not impose his faith/beliefs on ungodly men
· Sometimes best guys for job = unsaved (bow rack/Shinar Flag; walked 12 pt bbb)
Melchizedek King of Jerusalem = “king of righteousness”
- Appears in no genealogy – walks on the stage out of nowhere
1. Prophet (speaks) – speaks blessing from God & revelation that God won Abraham’s war
2. Priest (intercedes) – “of God Most High” – priesthood does not exist until Aaron
3. King (rules) of Jerusalem – Salem -short Jerusalem, a city that did not yet exist (e.g. Flag)
-Salem mean’s “peace” =Jesus “Prince of peace” & “King of peace”
4. Serves break & wine
5. Blesses Abraham “by God most high” = he’s greater than Abraham
5. Abraham tithed 10% to Melchizedek (1st time in Bible) = firstfruits/ law on heart
Who was Melchizedek?
Genesis 14; Psalm 110; Hebrews 5-7
Hebrews 7:1–3 Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.
= lots of speculation
-Ancient cult lasted 20 yrs. Melchizedekians, = a heavenly power greater than Christ, & Christ made in his image. = Make offerings to Melchizedek to be saved.
A. Not from earthly line mankind B. Not Levitical family line & Gen. genealogy
· ???Enoch. Enoch was the 1 odd outlier who “walked with God” & we know little
= Sets stage for Jesus as Priest but not line of Levi
Option A. Typology
= a nonverbal prophecy – foreshadows – prefigures – points to a greater reality
1. Adam is a type of Jesus – covenant head over mankind
2. Abel is a type of Jesus – innocent killed by brothers
3. Noah is a type of Jesus – preacher of righteousness & provides escape from judgment
4. Abraham is a type of Jesus – left His Father & home to bless nations
Option B. Christophony
Preincarnate appearance of Jesus = e.g. movie trailer, coming soon ad
= In Genesis: to Abraham (18 3 “men”) to Jacob (32 “wrestled w/a man”)
=MYSTERY BOX
=Either way – points to Jesus
1. We are Lot – live Sodom, bad decisions, attacked spiritual war all sides, captive sin & Satan
2. Jesus is the greater Abraham – leaves Father & Heavenly home, he rides w/an angelic army to defeat Satan, set us free, share His riches
3. Jesus came 1st time Prophet/Priest greater Melchizedek – He interceded for us, blessed us
4. Jesus comes 2nd time as King greater Melchizedek
5. We respond = building this altar of a church to worship Him, & take break and wine to remember His great sacrifice, and give our tithes in worship