THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM…Bill Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible….

Genesis 14:17-20

¹⁷ 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 AndMelchizedek 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.

The context of Gen. 14 is both interesting and revealing.  The political and civil turmoil that prevailed in Canaan seems normal to us.  Times are really not so different.

There were two confederations.  One ruled by the city state of Elam and the king, Chedorlaomer, the other five cities did not have a leader who stood out.  For twelve years Elam ruled by Chedolaomer had received tribute from the five cities.  In the thirteenth year they rebelled and refused to pay their levy.  All that followed in the conflict, Lot’s capture and Abram’s intervention is a result of the war over unpaid taxes.

Abram’s intervention was swift and successful.  All that was taken in the raid by the four kings was recovered.  Both peoples and goods were returned whole.  It is in this place that the phenomenon occurs.  A man, Melchizedek, appears.  There is no preparation for his appearance.  There is no explanation of his purpose other than to deliver the blessing which we find in 14:19-20.  This is so exalted that it is overwhelming.

He announces the benediction of God upon Abram as if it is God Himself speaking.  His qualification to do this rests upon his office.  He was priest of God Most High.  This is not explained.  Though his other office, King of Salem is noted.  But his activity as intercessor is based on this priestly office.

Here the strangeness of the narrative increases.  He blessed God for His care for Abram.  Where does he get this authority?  In Psalm 110:4 he suddenly enters the literature of Israel again not to be heard of until after the full earthly ministry of Christ.  In Hebrews 5:10 he enters Sacred writ again.

Let us look at the Blessing.

1.  It is the Most High God who blesses.  Anything less than this is at best limited and temporary.  God alone can bless with enduring and encompassing favor.
2. He who blesses is creator.  The Most High God is possessor, maker, or creator of heaven and earth.  It is His.  He can do with it as He pleases.  Should He choose to bless, none can stay His hand or question His purpose.
3. He is deliverer.  Nothing is too hard for Him.  He can deliver by many or few.  David can defeat Goliath.  Jesus defeats Satan.  Abram with 318 servants and a few friends defeats four armed and successful warlike nations.

Luke 18:18: A rich man came to Jesus seeking salvation in any way a rich man could have it without giving up his wealth.  Jesus looked at him and stated the impossibility of saving a rich man.

Now look closely at Luke 18:26.  The disciples ask, “Who then can be saved?”  If the rich cannot be saved then salvation is for man an impossibility.  The reply of Christ deserves our careful attention for He does not deny the statement of His disciples.  “But He said, ‘What is impossible with man’.  That is, in any way to save himself.’ Is possible with God’”.

God can use Abram with his house servants to defeat four nations and bring back everything taken with no loss, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, creator of heaven and earth.”  That is impossible with man, but all things are possible with God.  Or He can save a poor lost sinner like me.  Again, an impossibility for man!

Please read Hebrews 1:1-4 KJV.

JESUS! WHAT A FRIEND FOR SINNERS!

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Jesus! I do now receive Him,
More than all in Him I find.
He hath granted me forgiveness,
I am His, and He is mine.

Refrain

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

                                                                              J. Wilbur Chapman, 1910