A Lamp Unto My Feet Bible Study Website
GENESIS 14
Lesson #28
SOME OF THE INGREDIENTS OF FAITH
- Memory verse: Luke 6:38
- Read Gen 14:1-24
- Review:
- Abraham was living at Hebron.
- Lot was living in Sodom.
- The four kings:
- The south end of the Dead Sea was a very fruitful and prosperous area controlled by a confederacy of four eastern kings.
- The city-states in the Dead Sea region paid tribute to these four eastern kings.
- The four kings were: Amraphel, Arioch, Chedorlaomer, and Tidal.
- The battle of the four kings against the five kings:
- This is the first war mentioned in the Bible. Undoubtedly there was war before this when the Mesopotamian kings conquered these 5 cities originally.
- However, previous wars are not mentioned in the Bible.
- Five cities located at the southern end of the Dead Sea rebelled against their Mesopotamian overlords:
- These five cities were: Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar.
- The Mesopotamian monarchs and their armies marched south attacking Ttransjordan lands along the way. (14:5-7)
- These territories were: Ashtaroth-Karnaim, Ham, Shaveh-Kiriathaim, El-Paran, Kadesh-Barnea, and Hazazon-Tamar.
- The attack on the 5 rebellious cities resulted in the capture of Lot and his family.
- Lot and his family were taken to the city of Dan, in the north, by their captives (14:12).
- Abraham and his 318 men pursued the attacking army past Damascus. (14:13-15)
- Abraham took “trained servants” (14) These were hired mercenaries that protected Abraham’s possessions.
- Lot and his family are liberated and all return south, stopping in Salem to pay a tithe to Melchizedek. (14:17-24) Remember, Melchizedek is a type of Christ or an appearance of Christ.
- Abraham returns to Hebron while Lot returns to Sodom.
- Abraham’s tithe:
- This is the first mention in the Bible of the tithe.
- The tithe, 1/10 of your income, was not a requirement at this time.
- Tithing became part of the Law under Moses (Mosaic Law) much later.
- At the time of Abraham, it was voluntary.
- Remember that Abraham’s time was an era of grace, just like today, while Moses’ time was an era of law.
- Therefore, this is an indication that tithing is a principle of God’s kingdom that spans ages of law and ages of grace. It is a measure of giving by which God will use that same measure to bless you in return. (Luk 6:38)
- There are some who say that the New Testament Christian must tithe also.
- The key word here is “must”. Nowhere in the New Testament is the Christian commanded to tithe.
- The Law of Moses that included the title was given to the Jews only and for a limited period of time from the Exodus to the crucifixion of Christ.
- When Jesus spoke about tithing, he did not condemn it. He did condemn the Pharisees who tithed because it was an outward legality when their heart was not right on more important matters.
- Read Mat 23:23
- In this New Testament age of grace, the Christian is not required to tithe.
- However, tithing is a good measure to one’s self of his level of faith.
- Tithing is a good place to start in giving to God.
- An important thing to remember: we should not judge other Christians in regards to the tithe.
- What was God’s purpose for the tithe?
- Read Deu 14:23
- What does the payment of the tithe tell us about Abraham?
- He trusted and had faith in God to provide for his needs.
- He acknowledged that God gives victories in life’s battles to conform to his faith.
- The king of Sodom’s offer: a temptation (21)
- According to the law of that time, Abraham had a right to the spoils of war.
- We see the deception of the devil in the offer by the king of Sodom to Abraham.
- He offers Abraham more wealth for the return of the people to Sodom.
- This is an attempt to bring Abraham under obligation to the king of Sodom. But Abraham refuses to be under obligation or in league with the devil.
- Notice that the souls of men are at stake here.
- It is the people that the king of Sodom is interested in.
- Of course, the choice resides in the free-will of the individuals involved.
- This is a decision that Abraham cannot make for other people.
- He can only make the choice for himself.
- Review:
- Summary:
- The attack upon Sodom that we see in Gen 14 should have been a warning to Lot of his spiritual backsliding away from God. Lot lost all his worldly goods that were so precious to him, his personal freedom, and he nearly lost his life. He laid up earthly treasures where thieves had broken through (Mat 6:20). Lot still did not see the danger of being associated with evil in the world and returns to Sodom to live.
- Abraham chose to acknowledge and honor God by faith for provision and victory rather than to be in league with the devil (king of Sodom). God blessed Abraham with great wealth because God knew he could trust Abraham with it. Abraham’s decision to go to war was not for material gain. It was for the freedom of Lot.
- Abraham’s example of faith is his tithe to Melchizedek, his trust in God for provision and for victory in battle. He has learned to fear God.
- These are the ingredients of faith:
- A trust in God that resulted in tithing.
- A healthy fear of God.
Homework
Genesis 15:1-21
- Application of Gen 14:1-24
- What does the appearance of Melchizedek in Genesis mean to you?
- How does knowing about him change your personal relationship with God?
- What do you believe regarding tithing (1/10 of your income) to God?
- Explain how tithing will cause your faith to be tested.
- Explain how tithing will cause your faith to grow?
- Pray and ask God if he wants you to make a commitment by taking this step of faith to tithe at this time in your Christian walk.
- Preparation for Gen 15:1-21
- Read Gen 15:1-6
- Notice the extension of the Abrahamic Covenant in verses 1, 5, and 6. Compare these verses with Gen 13:16.
- What is the result of the promise in each of the following phrases?
- Seed as the dust of the earth = ?
- Seed as the stars of heaven = ?
- How do you know Old Testament saints, such as Abraham, were saved by faith and not by being a “good person”? Find the key verse in this chapter that proves it.
- Read Gen 15:7-17 The cutting of the friendship covenant
- Of what significance do you think it is that Abraham fell asleep during this ceremony?
- Verses 13 and 14 are a prophecy God gave to Abraham. When in the history of the Jews was the prophecy fulfilled?
- Read Gen 15:18-21
- Notice the extension of the Abrahamic Covenant in verse 18.
- Compare this verse with Gen 13:14-15.
- What are the differences between these verses?
- Read Gen 15:1-6
- Memory verse: Genesis 15:6
