Christian Stories - Biblical Stories
Chedorlaomer the king of Elam and his rebel allies had rebel against the king of Sodom. They defeated him while they fought around the tar and slim pits within -- The Vale of Siddim. Afterwards Chedorlaomer and his rebel allies would lay waste to the land that they had just conquered and enrich themselves with its spoils. Abram's nephew Lot had been rounded up along with the other captives. Word gets back to Abram about his nephew Lot, and he makes a vow to the one true God and sets out to rescue his nephew. Abram would indeed defeat Chedorlaomer and his rebel allies and retrieve his nephew. After Abram had return back from his victory that he had just tasted from Chedorlaomer and his rebel allies. We find that the king of Sodom comes out to the Valley of Shaveh which is also known as the King's Valley to show his respect and appreciation towards Abram. Soon after we would be introduced to a mysterious king and priest named Melchizedek that had also came, bringing bread and wine for Abram and his men. This act was to show hospitality and to congratulate Abram for his victory over Chedorlaomer and his rebel allies. Now for Melchizedek to come and give congratulations was a huge honor for Abram. Understand that there are three main theories on who Melchizedek was. I will mention them quickly so you will have some idea on why people teach and preach the way that they do when it comes to him. But I will not go into great detail, because these are just theories and not fact. Which means that they would lead to questions that can't truly be answered based on what we get from the Bible. (1) He was Shem, one of the three son's that belonged to Noah - This is the viewpoint that most Jews have adopted concerning this great man, being that Shem was possibly still alive during this time. Shem died at the age of six hundred. (2) He was Jesus the Son of God or a type of Christ (Old Testament Example) - This is the view point that most Christian have adopted. (3) He was a Canaanitish king that ruled in Salem - Too many holes in this view point for me to list, but highly unlikely. Now although these theories do hold some merit, they also have their weaknesses as well. It's no doubt that the true identity of Melchizedek is a perplexing one, and would continue to create some very interesting debates for years to come. But what we do know is that Melchizedek was not your typical king? He was a righteous king and a priest of the Most High God. He was without descent, for he had no genealogy. The scriptures proclaims that he had no beginning of days or end of life, just like Jesus the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. Melchizedek would then speak a blessing unto Abram by saying: "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." After this blessing was spoken, Abram would then give Melchizedek a tithing gift. This would be a tenth of all the spoils that Abram had acquired from his battle with Chedorlaomer and his rebel allies. By Melchizedek being a priest of the Most High God as well as a king, this tithing gift was very much in order. For this tithing gift would be given to honor the Most High God and for the service of Melchizedek ministry. This would also mark the first time that tithing had been mention in the Bible.
Soon after, we would find the king of Sodom trying to give Abram some sort of proposition: "Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself," the king of Sodom would say to Abram. But Abram would refuse the king of Sodom offer in a very generous way? "I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and Earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.' I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share." (Genesis 14: 22-24) So Abram gave the king of Sodom everything that he had gained from his battle victory, except for the reimbursement of food that his men had eaten. He would also exclude the men (Aner, Eshcol and Mamre) who had allied with him in his battle from this deal he was making with the Sodom king, which would allow them to keep their share of the spoils that they have earned. Now let's take a closer look at what Abram just said and did so we can have a better understanding of why he did it: First we must understand that Abram had every right to keep and do with whatever he had gained from his battle with Chedorlaomer and his rebel allies. But what we find here would be a very amazing deed on Abram's part? "I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and Earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.'" This statement also shows that Abram had made a vow with God in which he was keeping in order with. Abram's agenda when he went against Chedorlaomer and his rebel allies, was not to enrich himself, it was to save his nephew lot. Plus, he did not want to give the king of Sodom a chance to try to take credit for his overall well-being. Understand, that for all Abram was and had gained - full credit belongs and goes completely to the Most High God. "I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share." Abram would only accept what his men had already eaten from the spoils, for they earn that right. As for Aner, Eshcol and Mamre the men who help Abram defeat Chedorlaomer and his rebel allies? Abram did not have the right to give away their share of the spoils for it wasn't his to give away. If Aner, Eshcol and Mamre wanted to give away their share, it would be completely up to them. Now this may seem strange in the twenty first century, but Abram had became a very wealthy man naturally and spiritually by doing things God's way. If we could learn to trust in the Lord like Abram did, I would find that God would not disappoint us. For God is the same yesterday, today and forever more. 01) Introduction of Abraham - Before He was Called 02) The Divine Calling of Abraham 04) The Strife between Abram and Lot 07) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 10) Abraham the Father of a Multitude 11) Sarah the Mother of Nations 13) Abraham Bargains for Sodom 14) Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed 15) The Judgment of Lot's Wife 17) Abimelech Angry with Abraham  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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