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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 15 November 2024:
Genesis 14:14, 15 – 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. And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus.
Remember from yesterday’s readings, to avoid strife with Lot, Abram gave Lot his choice of places to settle though Abram was senior and had the right of first refusal; and remember Lot selfishly chose the choicest land for himself. However, now Lot was in trouble. Abram doesn’t hesitate to come to the aid of his nephew, despite how Lot had treated him. It is also worth noting that Abram pressed into the fight with a very small force against an alliance of four major powers who had proven themselves in combat. Abram dies what was right, trusting God with the outcome, and God proved faithful, giving victory to Abram. Abram is a great example for us here. Do what’s right because it’s right, regardless of what others do, and trust God with the outcome. If God is for you, who can be against you?
Christians not only have an inalienable right to self-defense but also an inalienable responsibility to self-defense. This responsibility cannot be abrogated. Lot’s government did not protect or rescue him, Abram did. Abram had his own fighting force, and he didn’t create them overnight – they were highly trained and obviously very capable. Abram wasn’t looking for a fight, but he was ready to win one. Christians are called to seek peace and reconciliation but also to protect themselves, their families, and other fellow believers when necessary. Jesus rebuked Peter for attacking the Roman soldier with a sword because it was not a time for fighting, but don’t lose sight of the fact that Peter carried a sword, something that could not have escaped Jesus’ attention. In fact, as Jesus drew closer to His crucifixion, He warned His disciples to make sure they had enough swords to protect themselves. (Luke 22:36-38)
Genesis 14:20 – And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
This is the first recorded act of tithing – giving the first tenth of acquired wealth to God. Note that Abram did this before the Law required it. Melchizedek is a fascinating and mysterious Biblical figure, described here as “priest of God Most High.” Of the Messiah, Jesus, Psalm 110 says, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” This order is specifically different, set apart, and higher than the priestly order of Aaron from which was handed down the Law. Melchizedek is further mentioned and associated with Jesus in Hebrews 5-7. Hebrews 5 repeats that Jesus was “designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6 points out that Jesus is forever a high priest after the order of Melchizedek, and Hebrews 7 goes into a bit more detail about Melchizedek – “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. See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!”
Many believe that Melchizedek was a theophany, Jesus Himself appearing to Abraham, that Jesus is the only person in the “order” of Melchizedek and has been and will be forever, explaining why no one else is ever mentioned as part of this order. If the description in Hebrews 7 is literal, then it is indeed difficult to see how it could be properly applied to anyone but the Lord Jesus Christ. No mere earthly king “remains a priest forever,” and no mere human is “without father or mother.” However, others believe that Hebrews 7 is not intended to be taken literally, and that Melchizedek was just a “type of Christ” who foreshadowed the coming Messiah. Are Melchizedek and Jesus the same person? A case can be made either way. At the very least, Melchizedek points to Christ. But it is also possible that Abraham, after his weary battle, met and gave honor to the Lord Jesus Himself. What do you think?
Genesis 14:22, 23 — But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 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.’”
Abram refused to partner with the ungodly, to become dependent upon the ungodly, or to be entangled in the affairs of the ungodly, which is what got Lot into trouble. Unfortunately, partnership with, dependency on, and entanglement with the world has largely disempowered to church today. As an example, according to the Evangelical Christian Credit Union, churches in an America spend 82 percent of their budgets on overhead costs, largely due to building debt to ungodly banking institutions. Churches use only 3 percent of their budget for children’s and youth programs, and only 2 percent for adult programs. Local and national benevolence receives just 1 percent of the typical church budget. Comparatively, the American Red Cross spends only 8 percent of its revenues on administrative and fundraising expenses; World Vision spends only 14 percent; and Compassion International spends just 16 percent. Also, among those Christians who claim to tithe, studies show that they actually give about 2% while they pay around 35-40% to debt. We should learn from Abram.
Abram had a healthy distrust of secular government, which our Founding Fathers shared. Abram gave the king of Sodom what was his and wanted nothing in return – no strings attached. He did not want earthly kings to lay claim to any of God’s glory. He did not want a relationship with the ungodly to compromise his relationship with God. Abram laid the foundations for separation of church and state. Abram’s King was God. He needed no other. A church that becomes dependent upon government or any other institution will eventually comprise fidelity to God in favor of that worldly benefactor.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 15 November 2024: Today, treat others as you would want to be treated, regardless how they treat you, and be willing to do what is right regardless the personal cost or apparent likelihood of success.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 