Melchizedek and Abraham

These are the events leading to the blessing on Abraham by Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God. It started with a confederation of kings from Babylon (Shinar), Larsa (Ellasar), Elam and the Tidal. Amraphel is believed by some to be the famous Babylonian king Khammu-rabi, while Chedorlaomer also had a reputation. This confederation had conquered a number of nations including Sodom and Gomorrah - which were the sin cities destroyed by God later.

Anyway, the conquered cities rebelled and was subsequently defeated by Chedorlaomer and his allies. The victors carried off various bounty from the defeated nations, among them was Lot's family who was living near Sodom. Abraham learnt about this nephew's capture and raised a small band of army to pursue the victorious captors. The size of Abraham's army would indicate God's helping hand on the mission, also Abraham was mainly concern of rescuing his nephew, hence his mission to attack at night rather than face a normal daylight battle.

The interesting part of the story is during the celebration of Abraham's successful mission. The king of Sodom went out to thank Abraham and offered him various riches. Abraham flatly refused and even said "I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich' ". Abraham must have known about the sinful state of the nation-city of Sodom and would not associate with it in any way.

This is in stark contrast to Abraham's ready acceptance of the blessings given by Melchizedek, remarkably known as the priest of the Most High God - clearly Abraham and Melchizedek served the same God. Notice the use of bread and wind by Melchizedek in this blessing - pointing to our Lord's teaching of the communion. This is also one of the first places that mentions the paying of tithe.


Genesis 14

Lot’s Captivity and Rescue

 1 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations,[a]
 2 that they 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 All these joined together in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).
 4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him came and attacked the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
6 and the Horites in their mountain of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is by the wilderness. 7 Then they turned back and came to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and attacked all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who dwelt in Hazezon Tamar.
8 And 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 joined together in battle in the Valley of Siddim
9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations,[b] Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.
10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled; some fell there, and the remainder fled to the mountains.
11 Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way.
12 They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
13 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre[c] the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner; and they were allies with Abram.
14 Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
15 He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.
16 So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.
17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him.

Abram and Melchizedek
 
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.
19 And 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.”

   And he gave him a tithe of all.
21 Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself.”
22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’—
24 except only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.”