Coachlight Bible Study – Genesis Lesson XXVII
The Unbroken Word – Genesis 14:1 – 15:1 – Abraham Lesson 4
The
“word” is one of the greatest concepts of thought. Man is separated from animals primarily by
his ability to figure out and communicate ideas. Symbolic and abstract language in both spoken
and written form is unique with man from creation.
The primary purpose that God gave man language was to communicate His
Will to man, and that man would be able to respond to God in praise. Because man was created for fellowship with
God, and communication is essential for fellowship, it is essential that the
Creator somehow speak to man. God’s Word
is of the utmost importance to man, therefore, and nothing else compares to it
in creation.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven
and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Psalm 138:2 …. for
thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
John 1:1 In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
We have studied the life of Abraham, and learned how God called him out
of a thriving, very comfortable life in
We also learned that God brought him close to a mount above the land
God had promised to Abram and his Seed, to pitch his tent and to be an example. He was to be an example to the very
Canaanites who lived in the land of promise. Abraham was an example and witness
to them by sacrificing to the One God.
We saw how Abraham was tested to see if he truly believed God’s Word
when there was a famine in the Promised Land!
Abraham failed this test, but returned to the altar, being a great
example for us today. In the next test,
he was a shining example to his nephew
God renews and adds to His Promise with Abram, and each time Abram is
tested. We must keep in mind that Abram
is a type of the consecrated believer, making him an example to us today.
It looks as though Abram lived in comparative quiet and security in
Mamre for several years after the separation of Abram and
This calm however ended, and great strife began to breakout with a
confederation of kings from the northeast sweeping through the land and
conquering everything in their path.
This set of events was very devastating and could have destroyed Abram
and his possessions, making God’s promises to Abram completely broken. But, God’s promises are not breakable.
In this lesson, we will not only take a look into more testing of
Abraham. This time, however, Abram is
stronger in the faith, and instead of panic and compromise being the dominant
mindset as in
Genesis 14:1 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;
Genesis 14:2 That
these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah,
Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which
is Zoar.
Genesis 14:3 All
these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
Genesis 14:4 Twelve
years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
Genesis 14:5 And in
the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and
smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims
in Shaveh Kiriathaim, {Shaveh…: or, The plain of Kiriathaim}
Genesis 14:6 And the
Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.
{Elparan: or, The plain of Paran}
Genesis 14:7 And they
returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of
the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.
Genesis 14:8 And
there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of
Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and
they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
Genesis 14:9 With
Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel
king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.
Genesis
Genesis 14:11 And
they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went
their way.
Genesis 14:12 And
they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and
departed.
Genesis 14:13 And
there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the
plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these
were confederate with Abram. {plain: Heb. plains}
Genesis 14:14 And
when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained
servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them
unto Dan. {armed: or, led forth} {trained: or, instructed}
Genesis 14:15 And he
divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them,
and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of
Genesis 14:16 And he
brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his
goods, and the women also, and the people.
I. World War I –
(Genesis Chapter 14)
A. The Kings of the World are at war vs. the king of
B. They captured Abraham’s nephew
C. Abraham is told of the incident - Genesis 14:13
D. Abraham Delivers
II. An Interview
with Two Kings- The hour of
success is sometimes a good test of character. - How a man acts at a time of
victory often gives a revelation of his character and spiritual power.
Genesis 14:17 And the
king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of
Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh,
which is the king’s dale.
Genesis
Genesis 14:19 And he
blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of
heaven and earth:
Genesis 14:20 And
blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.
And he gave him tithes of all.
Genesis 14:21 And the
king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to
thyself. {persons: Heb. souls}
Genesis 14:22 And
Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the
most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
Genesis 14:23 That I
will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any
thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
Genesis 14:24 Save
only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went
with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
A. Recognition Of Royalty- Another new experience for Abraham to be
met by two kings and to be acknowledged as savior of their countries.
1. Gratitude alone was enough for
the king of
2. The king of Salem however, being the Priest of the Most High God,
brought bread and wine to greet the conqueror of the
enemies of his land.
Genesis 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him
after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were
with him, at the
B. Priest of the Most High God - Melchizedek was Priest of the Most
High God. (Hebrew: El Elyon - God Most High). - This word is used very few
times, but used four times in these verses! Meaning - “God is the Supreme Being
above all local deities.”
1. Root idea of priesthood is access to God’s presence.
2. Melchizedek
a. Blessed Abraham and prayed the
blessing of El Elyon upon him.
b. Blessed God for the deliverance
of Abraham.
3. Demonstrates that God always has true believers, (a remnant), even
outside of Abraham’s family. – Genesis 14:18-20
C. The Acknowledgment- Willingness to receive blessing is testimony to
knowing the spiritual position and power of Melchizedek.
1. Blessing received before his confrontation with the king of Sodom,
undoubtedly playing a part.
2. Abraham further acknowledged the position of Melchizedek by paying
tithes.
a. Shows the practice of tithing
before Moses.
b. No reason to deny the importance
of it today.
D. The Worldly Proposal - Naturally the king of
1. The king wanted his people
2. Abraham to keep everything else.
Genesis 14:21 And the
king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to
thyself. {persons: Heb. souls}
E. Abraham’s refusal – Genesis 14:22-24
1. Abraham did not go to war for
his own advantage.
2. Abraham anticipated, sought God,
took proper action
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Contrast of
Abraham’s Attitude |
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To The King of |
To The King of |
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He Had An
Attitude of Submission |
He Had an
Attitude of |
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He Admitted
Inferiority |
He Had An
Attitude of Equality |
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He Had A Spirit
of Humility |
He Had A Spirit
of Dignity |
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F. Application: It is the
process of sanctification, or to be “separated unto God”, and seeking
the Holy Spirit to guide in discerning problems first, and to separate the
worldly proposals, and put out trust in God. |
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“Lest thou
shouldest say, ‘I have made Abraham rich.’” Help from the king of |
Melchisedek A Type of Christ – Hebrews 7:3,15
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Melchisedek |
Christ |
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Without Descent in
the Bible – Hebrews 7:3 |
Born of a virgin,
no earthly father – Isaiah 7:14 |
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Have neither
beginning of days, nor end of life like the Son of God – Hebrews 7:3 |
He is the First and
the Last – Revelation 1:11 |
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King of Salem, King
of peace (the Jewish affirm that |
He is the King, The
Alpha & Omega, Who will sit on the throne of New Jerusalem –Revelation
22:2-7 |
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Abideth a priest
continually – Hebrews 7:3 |
He is a Priest for
ever - Hebrews 7:16-17; Psalms 110:4 |
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Priest of The Most
High God – Genesis 14:18; Hebrews 7:1 |
Priest forever of
The Most High God – Hebrews |
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High Priesthood
superior to the Levitical priesthood - Hebrews 4:14-7:28 |
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Was not of the
order of Levitical Priesthood – Hebrews 7:11 |
Is a priest of the
order of Melchisedek – Hebrews 7:7:21; Psalms 110:4 |
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Brought forth the
bread and wine – Genesis 14:18 |
Brought forth the
bread and wine – Matthew 26:26-30 |
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He blessed Abram of
the Most High God – Genesis 14:19 |
He is able to save
those to the utmost who come to God by Him – Hebrews 7:25 |
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Seeing
then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus
the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot
be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted
like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne
of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews
7:14-16 |
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Hebrews Hebrews Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. {author: or, beginner}….. Hebrews 12:5 …. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth… Hebrews |
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III. The Difference
Between Trials and Temptations
James 1:2 My
brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations{3986};
{temptations: or, trials}
James 1:3 Knowing
this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
James 1:4 But let
patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting
nothing.
James 1:5 If any of
you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and
upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James
A. Trials (Peirasmos {3986} -
“Proving Ground”)
1. They Are Brought About By God
2. Designed To Bring Out The Best In Us
James
James
James 1:15 Then when
lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished,
bringeth forth death.
James 1:16 Do not
err, my beloved brethren.
B. Temptations (Peiradzo
{3985} – “Temptation To Sin Not Believe God’s Word”)
1. They Are Brought About By Our Own Lust
2. Bring Out The Worst In Us
James 1:17 Every good
gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of
lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
James 1:18 Of his own
will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of
firstfruits of his creatures.
C. God’s Gifts Are Designed So That God Can Beget Us By The Word Of
Truth
D. To Give Into Temptation Is To Fail The Test
E. Abraham Was Able To Pass The Trial Because He Looked Beyond The
Physical: - So Can We if We Have The Same Mindset: (When Abram Went To
Hebrews 11:10 For he
looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Explanation
Of Abraham’s Attitude: FAITH of course
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Faith is able to recognize
spiritual position. Melchizedek was God’s
representative and Abraham’s faith was quick to see this and act. |
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Faith is able to recognize
danger. A believer must be able to see that success
often means temptation and victory the possibility of danger. Abraham knew
this and this of course influenced his attitude. |
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Faith is able to resist strong
pressure. It takes a real faithful man to withstand
honor paid by a king. Abraham endured by faith seeing the King of Kings. |
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Faith is able to accept God’s
provision. The offer of the spoil was nothing to
Abraham compared to God’s promise. By faith Abraham took God at His Word,
even though it did not look possible in the natural. |
IV. God’s Word Comes - (Genesis 15:1) - There were nine successive
manifestations of God to Abraham, this being the fifth. This revelation seems
to have been in the form of a vision, not by a dream.
Genesis 15:1 After these
things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not,
Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
A. When did God’s Word come? - “After these things…”- obviously referring to directly after the events of chapter 14.
a. After the saving of
b. God’s revelations are always connected with His people’s
needs.
B. Why did God’s Word come? – “Fear not, Abram…” Then
Abraham must have had some fear. This could have been caused by recent events.
A maxim: “Fear before battle is the mark of a coward, but fear after battle is
the characteristic of a hero.” - First mention of “fear not.”
C. What was God’s Word? – “I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.” It was God Himself.
a. God as a shield against all foes.
b. God as a reward after victory.
1. Abraham had refused the spoils of
2. But but God would not let him be a loser.
3. God Himself, would be his exceeding great reward.
Hebrews 1:1 God, who
at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by
the prophets,
Hebrews 1:2 Hath in
these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all
things, by whom also he made the worlds;