Presentation 26

Presentation 26

Our passage introduces us to Middle Eastern politics. The cities of the plain, where Lot lived, were satellite states controlled by a larger superpower ruled by king Kedorlaomer. When these city states asserted their independence, their rebellion was crushed, their wealth plundered and their people, including Lot, were taken captive. Did Lot try to claim diplomatic immunity and say he didn’t really belong? If so it was to no avail.

Lot may have been vexed by the society of Sodom and its sinful excesses but he had so closely identified with the Sodomites that he was reckoned one of them and taken captive.

Introduction

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How did Abram respond to the news of his nephew’s captivity? Would he help the man who had slighted and abandoned him? Did Abram say, “Well that will teach him. He got what was coming to him. He reaped what he sowed”? No! God had dealt graciously with Abram’s failure in Egypt and he in turn would exhibit the same grace. Therefore he set out on a rescue mission.

What is our attitude towards those who, have failed God and disappointed us, those who despite having once professed faith in Christ, have since been drawn away by the things of this world? When they get into difficulties of their own making, do we say, ‘It serves them right’? Do we publish their failures from the housetops or do we, as those who are restored failures, seek at personal cost and inconvenience to bring them back to Christ?

Abram’s Response

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Abram with only a small force of 318 men set out against vastly superior numbers. Did some criticise his rescue attempt as foolhardy? There is a holy boldness in faith that sees beyond its own frailty to the hand of God. God can accomplish his purposes through very limited means. Paul encourages the Corinthian church to think in these terms:“Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no-one may boast before him”. 1 Cor.1.26

Abram’s Response

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D. L. Moody, the famous C19th evangelist, who had no formal higher or theological education, was once approached by a man who said, “Mr Moody, you made 18 grammatical mistakes in your sermon today”. Moody replied, “Young man, I use all the grammar I have for the Lord, what are you doing with yours?”

Abram accomplished a great deal for God with very little and so can we. We may see a Christian brother or sister in danger and ask, ‘but what can we do?’ Well we can begin by praying for them and in so doing may be surprised to discover that God gives us both the opportunity and ability to help them.

Abram’s Response

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No sooner had Abram proved himself victorious in battle and rescued Lot and his companions than the king of Sodom pops up out of his hiding place to meet Abram and seeks to secure an alliance. Had Abram accepted his terms and the reward he offered, he would not only have placed him in the king of Sodom’s debt but very likely have made himself a vassal of the king.

Any future prosperity that Abram experienced would be put down to the help that the king of Sodom gave him. Abram clearly saw the issues involved and declined the offer.

Two Significant Encounters

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There is a very real parallel between this offer and the temptation experienced by the Lord Jesus in Matt 4v8-10. “the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’

God had promised to make Abram a great nation. Abram must have been tempted to think that an alliance with the King of Sodom would take him a step closer to that goal. He would have a powerful ally to withstand further attacks. Surely circumstances would never be more favourable.

Christians often allow decisions to be shaped by circumstances. They do not ask, ‘Is this God honouring?’ And so instead of refusing, they enter into compromising liaisons.

Two Significant Encounters

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Immediately before Abram was confronted by this tempting offer, he was met by a different king - Melchizedek. This remarkable figure is also described as a ‘priest of the true and living God’. Melchizedek’s goal was to strengthen Abram’s faith and Abram was approached, when he was poised to enter a spiritually challenging situation. God’s timing is never late.

Abram was physically and mentally exhausted and with the scent of victory still in the air it would have been difficult to resist the king of Sodom’s tempting offer. God knows, when we are vulnerable and how to equip us to withstand temptation.

Two Significant Encounters

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“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it”. 1Cor.10.13

In order to provide this way of escape, God may use what we have read in scripture during our daily Devotions. He may use the sermon we heard in church, or something a friend has said in the course of conversation. But of this we can be quite sure, God has promised to equips us to escape temptation.

Two Significant Encounters

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Melchizedek’s timely arrival equipped Abram for the encounter that was to follow. But who was Melchizedek? The name ‘Melchizedek’ means ‘King of righteousness’. Some commentators have suggested that we have here a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. Melchizedek is mentioned in two other places in scripture, once in the Psalm110 and on eight occasions in the book of Hebrews [5.6,10; 6.20; 7.1-17], where the absence of recorded human origins and his superiority to Abram argue for the distinctive nature of his priestly office.

In our passage Melchizedek appears not only to refresh Abram physically with bread and wine but to strengthen him spiritually.

Two Significant Encounters

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Melchizedek teaches Abram that God is not only Creator but the Possessor of heaven and earth. The implication is quite clear, everything belongs to God and is his to give. Since that is the case then he can be relied upon to give what he has promised to his people in his way and in his time. There is no need to panic or rush into precipitate and questionable actions.

There are practical applications here that can be explored on a variety of levels.

Two Significant Encounters

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Paul in a letter to the Corinthians addresses the party spirit and clique mentality that was developing in the church. People had begun to align themselves with certain church leaders, implying that in order to benefit from one you had to disassociate yourself from the other. Now listen to what Paul says;“All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future - all are yours.” 1Cor.3.21-22

God will withhold from us no good thing [Ps 84.11]. Do we believe that? It is wonderfully liberating. Grasping this truth will keep us from panicking and entering into questionable alliances or promoting divisive relationships.

Two Significant Encounters

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Abram gave a tenth of everything he had to Melchizedek, whom the N.T. tells us foreshadows the person of Christ. This is the first example of tithing in scripture and therefore the circumstances in which it was given are extremely instructive. Abram was about to be offered ‘a get rich quick scheme’ involving a questionable alliance. It was therefore important to fill out Abram’s doctrine of God. In particular the truth that God possesses absolutely everything and as such is the Author of our prosperity.

Understanding this would enable Abram to resist the king of Sodom’s tempting offer. Andtithing is seen as a way of publicly acknowledgingto God, “All that I have is yours”.

Two Significant Encounters

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Therefore, Abram’s tithe is both giving to God, what is his by right and recognition of the fact that those things he had previously considered as his possessions were no more than a stewardship from God. Is the reason why so many Christians are reluctant to tithe today due to the fact that they have not grasped these truths? They do not see themselves as stewards and so hold onto those things that this world calls dear with a feverish intensity. Giving to God will never impoverish our lives. We have more to gain by giving than by holding on.

Two Significant Encounters

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Abram was now more than equipped to face the temptation of the King of Sodom and to make his wise choice. Was Lot impressed by Abram’s confidence in trusting God with his future? And now that his uncle had rescued him from the consequences of his past foolishness would he question his earlier decision to relocate in Sodom and Gomorrah? Sadly no!

Despite having suffered loss, Lot is still determined to continue as before. He did not want to change the direction of his life. He clearly could not bring himself to believe that God would not withhold from him any good thing. He would not leave the road of compromise. The world had still captured his heart.

Lot’s Response

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Many years ago Thomas Fuller wrote on the subject of compromise: “It is madness for sheep to talk peace with a wolf”. Many people want to be middle of the road Christians but the middle of the road is a poor place to walk. It is a poor place to drive. It is a poor place to live. When such people talk of ‘balance and moderation’ it is sadly often a very convenient cloak for compromise, half-heartedness, sloth and unbelief.

The man, who offers to God a second place in his life, offers him no place! Abram chose to give God first place. Will you? If we have God at our side what more do we need? Surely we can trust him with our future?

Conclusion

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