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Teaching And Research By: M. E. Arbaugh
Genesis
Chapter Thirteen
V 1. So Abram went up out of Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the South [country of Judah].
V 2. Now Abram was extremely rich in livestock and in silver and in gold.
This is the first mention of riches. Abram leaves Egypt and returns to Judah loaded down with wealth. A great deal of that wealth was given to him by the pharaoh. The scripture says that the wealth of the wicked is laid up for the just. Though Abram's actions were far from perfect, God considered him just. When we believe God, we are justified. Meaning that even though we have not yet been shaped and molded into the image of God, our standing in heaven is justified by the blood of Jesus. God sees us as the finished product. Ephesians 2:6 says we are seated with Jesus in heavenly places. This known as a positional truth. Meaning that this true in principal but not in practice.
V 3. And he journeyed on from the South [country of Judah] as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,
After all his travel he is now back at the place he began. In our spiritual journey we frequently feel like we have taken more steps backward than we have forward. It sometimes feels like the path is strewn with boulders and is all up hill. Feelings are not dependable, so base your walk on the word of God and not fickle feelings. Then place one foot in front of the other and keep walking.
V 4. Abram called on the name of the Lord,
Once more, between the House of God (Bethel) and the heap of ruins (Ai) an altar is built. Abram apparently had a first priority. Worship first. We need to make worship a first priority, even when we don’t feel like it we need to build an altar and offer a sacrifice of praise
Matthew 6:33 But [seek ye first the kingdom of God], and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you
V 5. But Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.
Lot was a part of the family that Abram was to have left behind in Haran. Even though he was not supposed to be there, God blessed him because he was loved by Abram.
V 6. Now the land was not able to nourish and support them so they might dwell together, for their possessions were too great for them to live together.
The Jordan valley was large and fertile, it is mind boggling to think that it would not support their animals. There must have been vast numbers of them. The famine (chapter 12 verse10) did not part them but great wealth became a stressful situation. Proverbs 30:8.
V 7. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's cattle and the herdsmen of Lot's cattle; and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelt then in the land [making fodder more difficult to obtain].
War over range and water rights, just like the wild west of our time, except it was herdsmen instead of cowboys. Abram who was so lacking in wisdom concerning his personal safety was not stupid concerning the matter of strife. He knew that strife has a way of escalating unless dealt with. Proverbs 17:14 Romans 12:18 and Hebrews 12:14.
V 8. So Abram said to Lot, Let there be no strife, I beg of you, between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are relatives.
Abram loved Lot. It is thought that he had adopted him and that Lot expected to become the heir of Abram. Abram knew and understood that things should never come between people.
What we should know about things is that it is all right to have them but not to let them own us. Luke 18:20-23. Things are never to be more important than God or people.
V 9. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself, I beg of you, from me. You take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if you choose the right hand, then I will go to the left.
V 10. And Lot looked and saw that everywhere the Jordan valley was well watered. Before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [it was all] like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar.
Egypt was known as the bread basket of the world. Jordan valley was so beautiful and fertile that it reminded Abram and Lot of the stories they had been told concerning the garden of Eden.
V 11. Then Lot chose for himself all the Jordan valley, and [he] traveled east; so they separated.
V 12. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the [Jordan] valley, and moved his tent as far as Sodom and dwelt there.
It is interesting that Abram dwelt in the promised land but did not possess it. That happens to us a lot. We tour the promises, (sometimes quoting them perfectly) but we do not possess the reality of them in our lives. We should be free well and prosperous but many are sick, poor and caught in sin.
The phrase "Lot chose for himself" should catch our attention. When we fail to ask for the Lord’s direction and chose for ourselves, we will very likely have plenty of reasons to regret our choice.
There is indication that Lot first pitched his tent in the valley outside of Sodom. Since Lot was a prosperous man and had much livestock to sell, he probably thought that it would make his business dealings easier if he dwelt in Sodom. He is no longer asking advice of Uncle Abram, or of God. First he looked toward Sodom, then he moved to the outer fringes of Sodom, then he moved into Sodom. I imagine that the people of Sodom were friendly. Sad to say, but the world is often more friendly than the people of God. The Sodomites welcomed Lot's business. Come into my parlor, said the spider to the fly.
V 13. But the men of Sodom were wicked and exceedingly great sinners against the Lord.
V 14. The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had left him, Lift up now your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward;
I like the way the Lord said look up from where you are. He is still doing that. We should respond, instead we fasten our eyes on the place where we are and worry, worry, worry. I can picture God calling out to us, LOOK UP!! LOOK UP!!! We fail to see the big picture, because we are always looking down at the place we are in instead of toward God.
Abram has finally arrived at the original call of God, which said, "leave your family". Now the Lord says, Look up and in every direction.
V 15. For all the land which you see I will give to you and to your posterity for ever. Acts 7:5
Some of us are very near sighted and do not see the large over all area that God has given to us.
V 16. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can count the dust of the earth, then shall your descendants also be counted.
The word descendants can also mean spiritual as well as physical. One version calls the dust, grains of sand. God is working on Abram's inner image. God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or think. Ephesians 3:20. We have to first think it (or imagine) then ask. Now every time Abram scuffs his foot and a shower of sand flies up, he will think, "like the dust or grains of sand." From a man, without hope, he will become a man who expects many descendants.
V 17. Arise, walk through the land, the length of it and the breadth of it, for I will give it to you.
Some of us are not claiming our land because we haven’t arisen. We are still sitting or reclining on our duffs. Remember the Canaanites and Perizzites were still in the land, yet Abram is out walking and saying, this land is mine. Landless and childless Abram is visualizing a land that belongs to him and is filled with his descendants.
V 18. Then Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelt among the oaks or terebinths of Mamre, which are at Hebron and built there an altar to the Lord.
As usual, an altar is built. Worship had a high priority in the life of Abram. Worship should also have a high priority in our lives. Romans 4:20 says, "No unbelief or distrust made him (Abraham) waver or question the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God."
We need to remember that when we come before God singing praises, sadness and sorrow will flee away. Isaiah 35:10 and 51:11. Also remember that praise is sometimes a sacrifice because we may not feel like praising. Psalm 107:22. Psalm 9:1-2 declares the "I will" of praising. There are really only two times to praise the Lord, that’s when you feel like and when you don’t. Praise brings joy into our lives, and the joy of the Lord is our strength. Nehemiah 8:10. When we have joy in our lives, others will see it and want to know how they can have joy too. Psalm 51:12-13. It is worthy of mention that praise is one of the most prominent topics of the Bible.
There are fifteen covenants in the Bible. Of those fifteen, it is essential that you have knowledge of the seven major ones. Reminder....we are discussing the fourth major covenant of the Bible. 1. Eden, 2. Adam, 3. Noah, 4. Abraham
Covenants are like filing folders in a container. Once you get them in order you can take the stories that you hear and place them behind each title, a systematic way to put together the truths of God. When you do this, you won't have little bits and pieces floating around in your head, instead you will see the whole plan of God. Even before the foundation of the world was laid, God had a plan. A plan to bring you home.
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Chapter Fourteen
V 1. In the days of the kings (4), Amraphel of Shinar, Arioch of Ellasar, Chedor-laomer of Elam, and Tidal of Goiim,
V 2. They made war on kings (5) Bera of Sodom, Birsha of Gomorrah, Shinab of Admah, Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the kings of Bela, that is, Zoar.
V 3. The latter joined together (as allies) in the Valley of Siddim, which is now the [Dead] Sea of Salt.
V 4. Twelve years they had served Chedor-laomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
There are no good guys in this scene, all have refused to follow the plan of God. The four kings are bullies and the five kings are the ones being bullied. God’s word has said that covenant breakers will sow their seed in vain and their enemies will rule over them. This was true of the five kings. The young men and women and the products of their countries had been taken from them as tribute. For twelve years, the five kings, had paid tribute to Chedor-laomer. Then one morning they apparently woke up with freedom on their minds and said enough is enough. In the thirteenth year they refused to pay tribute and began to reclaim their liberty.
Twelve long years under the thumb of oppressors. Far too many Christians are also under the thumb of an oppressor, mostly because they don’t know it can be otherwise. Haggai 1:5-7 and Isaiah 5:13. What we don’t know can hurt us. God wants us to be free, well and prosperous, if we are not, we need to read the contract. Jesus came to undo the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8. Liberty begins with the Lord and His words. Psalms 119:45.
This is the first recorded account, in scripture, of war between men. The occasion was the revolt of the five kings (verse two) from under the rule of Chedor-laomer (verse one) of Elam (Chaldea).
V 5. And in the fourteenth year Chedor-laomer and the kings who were with him attacked and subdued the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim.
V 6. And the Horites in their Mount Seir as far as Elparan, which is on the border of the wilderness.
V 7. Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat, which [now] is Kadesh, and subdued all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who dwelt in Hazazon-tamar.
Chedor-laomer and allies get together, draw up their attack plans, and set out to subdue the rebels. We must remember that the enemy will not easily give up just because we decide we want liberty. However, we must also remember that the Lord has said, "the battle is mine." Get into the word, think the word and speak the word, this is still the number one way to win the war.
V 8. Then the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela, that is ,Zoar, went out and [together] they joined battle with [those kings] in the Valley of Siddim,
V 9. With Kings Chedor-laomer of Elam, Tidal of Goiim, Amraphel of Shinar, and Arioch of Ellasar, four kings against five.
V 10. Now the Valley of Siddim was full of slime or bitumen pits; and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell [were overthrown] there, and the remainder [of the kings] fled to the mountain.
It is not clear who chose the location of the battle. It is evident that it was not a good choice for the five rebel kings.
Could not find information on the exact contents of a slime pit but it sounds like something that would be very difficult to get out of.
V 11. [The victors] took all the wealth of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all the supply of provisions, and departed.
BUT THEN THEY MADE A VERY BIG MISTAKE.
V 12. And they also took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, away with them.
V 13. Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew [meaning, the one who came from beyond], who was living by the oaks or terebinths of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner, these were allies of Abram.
V 14. When Abram heard that [his] nephew had been captured, he armed [led forth] his 318 trained servants, born in his own house, and pursued the enemy as far as Dan.
With the description of Abram and his household one may assume that he was not just barely getting by, obviously God had blessed him. Though Abram was a man of peace, he was prepared for war. A wise man. There is an old proverb that says trust man by day, but lock your horse in the barn at night. We are told to be gentle as doves and wise as serpents. It behooves the servant of God, to know and understand human nature.
V 15. He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants and attacked and routed them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.
A bold and courageous act. Most instances of war, recorded in the word, tell of fighting done in the daylight hours. Abram, servants and allies pushed their way across the hills and up the Jordan Valley to make a surprise attack, in the dark. They divided their forces and surrounded the enemy, which were more numerous than they were. Isn’t God good? Because Abram trusted God instead of horses and chariots, the mighty host was no match for them.
V 16. And he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his kinsman Lot and his possessions, the women also and the people.
Abram acted with courage, and with sure knowledge that if God be for us, who can be against us?. One man, servants, and neighbors went against the combined armies of four kings and won.
V 17. After [Abram's] return from the defeat and slaying of Chedor-laomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh, which is the king's Valley.
V 18. Melchizedek king of Salem [later called Jerusalem] brought out bread and wine [for their nourishment]; he was the priest of God Most High.
Amplified reads differently than KJV in this verse notice the words [for their nourishment]. In Amplified the brackets indicate words that are justified by the original language, but have been omitted from KJV.
Scholars have spent a lot of time discussing who Melchizedek was. Some say that it was Shem (son of Noah). Others that he was a figment of the writers imagination. Still others, say that he was a man who foreshadowed the coming of Christ. What you believe concerning this portion of scripture will not affect your salvation. So if you see it a different way than I do, it's alright, neither one of us will face eternal damnation because of our views on Melchizedek. In my opinion it was a pre-incarnate visitation of Jesus, the Lord of Glory. How like the Lord, to offer bread and wine (emblems of covenant...this is my body which was broken for you, this is my blood which was shed for you) to one who was the king of a city of perversion. The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. It is obvious that the king of Sodom did not accept the offer. Think how different it might have been for Sodom and Gomorrah, if it's leadership had turned to God.
V 19. And he blessed him and said, Blessed (favored with blessing, made blissful, joyful) be Abram by God Most High, possessor and maker of heaven and earth.
V 20. And blessed, praised and glorified be God Most High Who has given your foes into your hand! And [Abram] gave him a tenth of all [he had taken]. Hebrews 7:1-10
It is the rule in scripture that the person of highest stature, is always the one that does the blessing. Considering that Abram is frequently called the friend of God, Melchizedek must have been very high in stature.
Abram gave a tithe. This is the first mention of tithe. It did not occur during a time of law, but under a covenant of grace. Someone has said, that Abram commenced the tithe, Moses commanded the tithe, and Jesus commended the tithe. So who are we to cancel the tithe.
Abram gave a tenth of all the spoils that he recovered, without asking the king of Sodom's permission. He apparently felt that the four kings should give glory to God for the victory.
V 21. And the king of Sodom said to Abram, Give me the persons and keep the goods yourself.
Now the king offers all things to Abram, but Abram did not go to war in order to increase his wealth, he went to get Lot. Sounds like the voice of the enemy, to say, I’ll trade you things for people.
V 22. But Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lifted up my hand and sworn to the Lord, God Most High, the possessor and maker of heaven and earth.
V 23. That I would not take a thread or a shoelace or anything that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich.
V 24. [Take all] except only what my young men have eaten, and the share of the men [allies] who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
Abram makes his declaration.....my portion shall be from God. He is saying, "I won't accept because you can't pay for what you received. It was a gift from God. All deliverance comes from God. "For by grace are you saved by faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9.
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Teaching And Research By: M. E. Arbaugh
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