8 A SUCCESSFUL RETURN

This paragraph begins a respectful conversation between the king of Sodom who expressed his gratitude to Abram at his return from the slaughter of the kings and Abram declining the reward the King of Sodom proposed. Into the record of this conversation, however, a brief account of the story of Melchizedek is inserted. Melchizekek is interesting to us because he is a type of Christ, if not Christ Himself.

Melchizedek was said to be king of Salem and priest of the most high God; and other glorious things  about him are included in the description found in Hebrews 7:1-7. “This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. 4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater.”

If the writer of Hebrews can use a story from the history of Israel to teach something, certainly we can too. The Old Testament is written to benefit and teach us. 1 Corinthians 10:6 and Romans 15:4 say so.

Some Jewish Rabies say this was Shem, the son of Noah, who was king and priest to those that descended from him, according to the patriarchal model. But this is not likely. Why should his name be changed? How and why did he settle in Canaan?

Some Christian writers think this was an appearance of the Son of God himself, our Lord Jesus, known to Abram, at this time, by this name, as, afterwards, the one whom Hagar called by another name:  “She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me’” (Genesis 16:13).  There were other well-recognized Old Testament appearances of Jesus, (Christaphonies), and this may have been one of them. Or, it is also possible that he was simply who the text indicates and that he had no record of parentage, not necessarily that he had no parents. Melchizedek appeared to Abram as a righteous king, owning a righteous cause, and giving peace. It is difficult to imagine that any mere man should be said to be without father, without mother, and without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life. Melchizedek was either Christ Himself or a type of Christ.

It is recorded of Melchizedek that he lives, and that he abides a priest continually. The writer of Hebrews appears to make him out to be either our Lord Himself or a Type of Him who sprang out of Judah. It is difficult to think that any mere man should, at this time, be greater than Abram in the things of God, that Christ should be a priest after the order of any mere man, and that any human priesthood should so far excel that of Aaron as it is certain that Melchizedek’s did. Nevertheless, a common opinion of some is that Melchizedek was a Canaanite prince, that reigned in Salem, and kept up the true religion there. This raises the question: why his name should occur here only in all the story of Abram, and why Abram should have altars of his own and not attend the altars of his neighbor Melchizedek who was greater than he? I, personally, prefer to believe that there was no record of his parentage, but of course he would have had to have had parents. He is definitely an illustration of the high priestly ministry of Jesus Christ Himself. I have no trouble with a non-Jew, non-Hebrew who, like Job, revered God. Missiological principles attest to this possibility.

Whoever he was, “Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine.which he presented to Abram and his soldiers, and in congratulation of their victory. This he did as a king, teaching us to do good and to communicate, and to be given to hospitality, according to our ability. This might represent the spiritual provisions of strength and comfort which Christ provides for us in the covenant of grace for our refreshment, when we are wearied with our spiritual conflicts. (Or a forerunner of the wedding supper of the lamb.)

As priest of the most high God, he blessed Abram, which we may suppose were a greater refreshment to Abram than his bread and wine were. Thus God, having raised up His Son Jesus, has sent Him to bless us, as one having authority; and those whom He blesses are blessed indeed. Christ went to heaven when he was blessing His disciples for this is what He ever lives to do. “While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven” (Luke 11:51).

Two important things were said, “and he blessed Abram, saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’” First he indirectly honored God by gloriously describing who it was that was blessing Abram. The titles he here gives to God are glorious. God is most high and next He is creator of heaven and earth which implies His ownership. If He created all things then all things belong to Him. His absolute perfections in Himself and His sovereign dominion over all the creatures; He is King of kings. These truths can be a great encouragement to us each day and we should neither forget them nor fail to mention them often. It will greatly help both our faith and our reverence in prayer to look to God as the most high God, and to call Him that.

Melchizedek then blessed Abram from God: rightful owner, and sovereign Lord, of all the creatures, because He made them. Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” Melchizedik presented God as a great God, and greatly to be praised. Easily we can see that those would be a happy people who enjoy His favor and love.

He next blessed God for Abram. Melchizidek repeats the fact that God is most high. In all our prayers, we must praise God, and join hallelujahs with all our hosannahs. These are the spiritual sacrifices we must offer up daily, and upon particular occasions. God, as the most high God, must have the glory of all our victories. Here is why: “15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner” (Exodus 17:15”.  “While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites” (1 Samuel 7:10). “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”” 1 Samuel 7:12   “On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song: ‘When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves— praise the Lord!’” (Judges 5:1&2)  “After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever’” (2 Chronicles 20:21). In these verses the Bible repeatedly shows God is higher than our enemies, “Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly” (Exodus 18:11). And higher than we, for without Him we could do nothing. We can happily give thanks for others’ mercies as we do for our own, triumphing with those that triumph. Jesus Christ, our great high priest, is the Mediator both of our prayers and praises, and not only offers up ours, but His own for us. “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do’”(Luke 10:21).

Abraham then gave Melchizekek a tithe of the spoils (Hebrews 7:4). This was a gift presented to Melchizedek, in return for his hospitality and a meal. Those that receive kindness should show kindness. Gratitude is one of nature’s laws. Abram presented an offering dedicated to the most high God, and therefore put it into the hands of His priest, Melchizedek. When we have received a significant mercy from God, it is appropriate that we should express our thankfulness by some special godly action. God must always have His dues out of our substance, especially when, by any special measure He has either preserved us or otherwise benefited us. The tenth of our increase is a very fit proportion to be set apart for the honor of God and the service of His sanctuary and is consistent with God’s Word regarding giving God His part, the part that indicates that it all is His. Jesus Christ, our great Melchizedek, is to have worship given to Him, and to be humbly acknowledged by every one of us as our king and priest. This is not only the tithe of all, but all we have, must be surrendered and given up to Him.

After Abram and Melchizekdek are finished talking we next see what passed between Abram and the king of Sodom. The king thought himself obliged to do this honor to Abram, in return for the good services Abram had done for him.

The king of Sodom made a grateful offer to Abram: “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself”( 21). He wants the people, but as freely bestows the goods on Abram. Where rights are doubted or unclear, would it not be better to err on the side of generosity? It could be argued either way: (1) that having owned it originally, the right of ownership was the king’s or (2) by right of recovery, the right of ownership was Abram’s. The king lost it; Abram gained it. Nevertheless, the king of Sodom makes this fair proposal. Gratitude teaches us to pay as best we can those that have undergone difficulties or dangers for us. “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk?” (1 Corinthians 9:7). Soldiers or police earn their pay better than most laborers, and are well worthy of it, because they expose their lives.

Abram generously refused this offer. He not only resigned the persons to him, who, being delivered out of the hand of their enemies, ought to have served Abram, but he restored all the goods too. He would not take anything. He said, “I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal.” A lively faith enables a man to look lightly on the wealth of this world. We can remember 1 John 5:4, “. . . for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has  overcome the world, even our faith.” What are all the ornaments and delights of this world to any of us if we always focus of our attention on God, heaven and eternal things? Abram was resolute.

Abram tells of his resolution using the same words Melchizedek had just used. “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth” (22). Had Abram just now learned new vocabulary words? If so, it is good to learn from others how to order our speech concerning God, and to imitate those who speak well regarding the things of God. Abram evidently had had a meaningful personal ceremony. “With raised hand . . .”

Evidently Abram promised, before he went to the battle, that, if God would give him success, he would, for the glory of God and the credit of his profession, so far deny himself and his own right as to take nothing of the spoils to himself. We can learn that the vows we have made when we are in pursuit of a mercy must be carefully and conscientiously kept after we have obtained the mercy. No matter that we loose some opportunity for gain; we must keep a promise. We must remember Psalm 15:4: “. . . who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind.” Paul also made promises and kept them. They are recorded in 1 Corinthians 8:13 “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.” And 1 Corinthians 9:12 he says, “If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.” Perhaps Abram, now when he saw that he must keep his vow clearly refused the offer made him for his own sake as well was for others. By clearly confirming his refusal with this oath was able to prevent further testing. There may be good reason sometimes why we should deny ourselves something that is our undoubted right. Strong resolutions are of good use to defend ourselves against the force of temptations.

Abram even stated the reason for his resolute intention. He does not want the king of Sodom to be able to boast that the king had made Abram rich. He wants it to be known that seeking wealth or reward or anything that benefited him was not his motive. It may be that Abram knew the proud or scornful character of the king of Sodom and protected himself from a future criticism from him. We too can be careful not to let our good deeds be evil spoken of. When we have something to do with such men, we may need to act with particular caution.

We can be strict in controlling our own liberty, but that does not give us license to judge others with the same judgment with which we judge ourselves. This is a difficult, but necessary principle. We must not make ourselves the standard by which to measure others. A good man will deny himself a liberty which he will not deny another. The Pharisees were the opposite of that: “They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them (Matthew 23:4). If I decide to deny myself something that does not give me license to look down on other who do not.

In making vows, we ought carefully to insert any necessary exceptions, that we may not afterwards have to say I was mistaken, Ecclesiastes 4:6 gives us this wisdom: “Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, ‘My vow was a mistake.’ Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?” Abram said, “I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

There was no reason why Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre, should deny themselves. They did not make the profession that Abram had made, nor were they, as he was, under the obligation of a vow. Neither had they the hopes Abram had of something more valuable in another world. Therefore, by all means, “Let them have their share.” Take the whole world, but give me Jesus. Let others have their share here and now, we have hope for something better.

Our earthly needs are fewer when we have a big glorious God.