Abide Together: Reflections on Genesis 14

In Genesis 14, there is a war that consists of 5 kings against 4 kings.  The 4 king coalition defeated the 5 king coalition which included the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Lot, Abrams nephew, was taken captive as spoil during this war.  Abram and his men went and defeated the 4 king coalition and brought back Lot, all the people, the goods and the possessions.  Upon his return from the victory, Abram was met by Melchizedek king of Salem who blessed Abram and blessed God the Most High and gave him a tenth of all. Then the king of Sodom wanted to divide the spoils of the victory with Abram, but Abram would not take anything. Abram had sworn to God that he would not take anything from the king of Sodom, for fear that he would say, “I have made Abram rich.”  Abram wanted to make sure that God got the glory for anything good in his life.  He wanted his life to be such that it could only be explained by God and His grace towards Abram.  Lord, may my life bring glory to You alone and may the blessings in my life only be able to be explained by Your grace.

– Bryan McKenzie