Godly Character
Genesis 14:1-24
Message #4
Godly character isn’t something that we earn something from God. It’s what God does to us, the process of transformation in us when God gets ahold of us.
The definition of the word “character,” as we are using it today, is “The moral qualities of an individual. And so, godly character is having moral qualities that are godly or “like God.”
I love the biographies of men and women in the Bible because every picture tells a story, don’t it? And in the lives of men and women in the Bible, we often see either godly or ungodly character come to life. And in the life of Abraham, one thing we see for sure is that godly character does not mean always making the right decision. It’s not about scoring; it’s not about how many decisions does Abraham make right. It’s about his heart. We’ve already seen Abraham make the wrong decision when he ran to the world in Egypt when he was facing the famine crisis.
But we have always got to remember what God says in 1 Samuel 16, verse 7.
1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)
7 . . . The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
And today, we are going to see the heart of Abraham, and we’ll watch a picture of “godly character” come to life.
In the last chapter, Abram and Lot parted ways. Lot began his move toward Sodom, and Abram settles down in Hebron (Promised Land). He builds an altar, settles in, and he starts worshiping God. And you’ll see that he starts building relationships, both vertical relationships with God in his worship and horizontal relationships that are positive with people around him. And Lot moved his tent closer and closer to the world until he was living in area of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot was drawn in by the prosperity and pleasures of the world, and Abraham (and God let him choose his path).
So, here is the setting for our picture of Godly Character today. There was a powerful coalition of four kings in the east (the land Abraham had left behind). And these four kings were in the process of making the majority of the Promised Land their subjects – meaning they were conquering the cities and forcing the people to pay tribute (taxes) to them.
And there were five much smaller kings centered around Sodom and Gomorrah who had decided to rebel against this coalition of kings from the east (stop paying their taxes). And Lot is right in the middle of it – just “living it up,” unaware that he was about to get swept away from the world he had chosen.
Genesis 14:1 (NLT)
1 About this time war broke out in the region. King Amraphel of Babylonia, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Kedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim
These were the four kings in the east who were forcing the cities in Canaan to pay them “tribute.”
Genesis 14:2-3 (NLT)
2 (And these kings of the East) fought against King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar).
3 This second group of kings joined forces in Siddim Valley (that is, the valley of the Dead Sea).
They are down there in the dead sea where we know Sodom and Gomorrah were, and they’ve decided to rebel.
Genesis 14:4 (NLT)
4 For twelve years they had been subject to King Kedorlaomer (had been his ‘subjects’), but in the thirteenth year they rebelled against him.
Well, these four big kings from the east did not take this rebellion of Sodom and Gomorrah well, and so they decided to make a point to the entire land of Canaan. They marched through Canaan (the Promised Land) and took out city, after city, after city. They were capturing these cities and looting them of anything of value, and taking the people as slaves, seemingly to “make a point” that it was not a good idea to rebel against them.
Genesis 14:5 (NLT)
5 One year later Kedorlaomer and his allies arrived and defeated the Rephaites at Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites at Ham, the Emites at Shaveh-kiriathaim,
The Rephaites were the descendants of the Rephaim (Genesis 6). The kings of the east were ransacking cities on their way to deal with Sodom and Gomorrah.
Genesis 14:6 (NLT)
6 and (they defeated) the Horites at Mount Seir, as far as El-paran at the edge of the wilderness. (Edge of the promised land)
Genesis 14:7 (NLT)
7 Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (now called Kadesh) and conquered all the territory of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites living in Hazazon-tamar.
They are just hammering every major city and people group in the Promised Land and accumulating tremendous wealth in stuff and people as they go. And then, finally, they reach the rebellious kings in the area of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Genesis 14:8–9 (NLT)
8 Then the rebel kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (also called Zoar) prepared for battle in the valley of the Dead Sea.
9 They fought against King Kedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Babylonia, and King Arioch of Ellasar—four kings against five.
But these five little “rebellious kings” in the Sodom and Gomorrah area were no match for this army from the east who were taking out city after city in the land.
And we see the humiliation in the next verse.
Genesis 14:10 (NLT)
10 As it happened, the valley of the Dead Sea was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains.
So, the armies of Sodom and Gomorrah run away, and as they do, they can’t even avoid falling into the tar pits in their own land.
Genesis 14:11 (NLT)
11 The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies.
Then finally, these kings from the east make one fatal mistake.
Genesis 14:12 (NLT)
12 They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he owned.
These were the final cities this army from the east came to plunder, and in addition to all the spoils of war from all the cities they had plundered. This also means the food supplies. They also captured Lot and took him as a slave, and they carried off everything he owned.
Fortunately for Lot, someone got to Abraham with the news.
Genesis 14:13 (NLT)
13 But one of Lot’s men escaped and reported everything to Abram the Hebrew (his name hasn’t been changed yet to Abraham), who was living near the oak grove (where he worshipped) belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his relatives, Eshcol and Aner, were Abram’s allies.
We’re not told how long it’s been since Lot moved to Sodom, but it’s been long enough for Abraham to make friends and allies of the people around him. And so, the first godly character trait we see here in Abraham is wisdom. Abraham was wise enough to stay in the center of God’s will and to build strong relationships with those around him, and that is the first sign of godly character that we see in Abraham in this chapter – wisdom.
Wisdom to stay in God’s will and build strong relationships both vertically with God (in his worship) and horizontally with those around him (his Allies).
And we continue to see the godly character of Abraham in verse 14.
Genesis 14:14 (NLT)
14 When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan.
All of a sudden, something changes in Abraham. He’s trusting in God. He knows this is the land God gave him; he knows God is going to work this out. Then there was Lot. Now it’s personal. Now Abraham has a responsibility. Now he has to do something about it. This is the second sign of the godly character of Abraham.
There is a lot in this verse. First, let’s remember how Lot got here. In Egypt, Lot fell in love with the world and with his stuff. Then his stuff caused conflict with Abram. Then he left Abram and moved toward Sodom, then Lot moved into Sodom, and now he’s a prisoner with Sodom.
Abraham knew the worldly environment of Sodom, and Abraham knew Lot’s choice was a mistake, and Abraham could have easily said what you and I might have said.
“Well, he made his bed; now he’s going to have to lie in it.” “Well, time for Lot to learn some hard lessons about his choices to live in the world.”
But godly character doesn’t judge others who are in need even if they have brought their troubles upon themselves. Godly character does not judge whether someone in need is deserving of your help, even if they brought their troubles upon themselves. Godly character does not sit in judgment and say, “because of this, and this, and this, they don’t deserve my help.” Godly character is a character like God, and you’re thankful God doesn’t have that approach to you. Godly character doesn’t judge those in need even if they brought their trouble on themselves.
Godly character steps in to help when help is not deserved because that is what God does for us.
Again, verse 14 says, When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household.
The fact that Abraham now had three hundred and eighteen men trained for battle again speaks to his godly wisdom and leadership. And this phrase (verse 14) that they had been born into his household does not mean born as babies – it’s a figure of speech. Meaning they had chosen to be servants in Abraham’s “household” in return for Abraham “caring” for them. And when verse 14 says Abraham “mobilized” them, the Hebrew word translated “mobilized” is literally “to draw out,” like drawing a sword out of a sheath.
But still, Abraham (with his three hundred and eighteen trained men) and his allies mentioned back in verse 13 were no match for these kings of the east, but Abraham chased this four king army who had whipped everyone in the land. He chased them for one hundred miles to Dan (far north of Israel).
Dan is one of our favorite places to go in Israel, and we see a three-thousand-year-old mud-brick gate there called “Abraham’s Gate” that Abraham most likely went through when he got to Dan on his search and rescue mission for Lot.
Genesis 14:15 (NLT)
15 There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.
Abraham was on a rescue mission of love for Lot, who had put himself in this mess in the first place, just like God chases us to rescue us when we put ourselves in a mess. And Abraham’s victory over this four king army who had plundered so many cities in Canaan is miraculous.
And not only does he defeat them in this nighttime battle, but he chases them all the way past Damascus (another thirty-plus miles), and maybe it was because Lot was still with them.
Genesis 14:16 (NLT)
16 Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken (all the plunder from all the towns), and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives.
This rescue mission of love is complete, and Abraham brings back Lot, his family, and his stuff. Now, we don’t get any information on the reuniting of Abraham and Lot, and we don’t know if Abraham even received a “thank you” from Lot. But godly character doesn’t help for recognition, and godly character doesn’t keep a scorecard of who owes who what.
Godly character is unselfish and unselfish people don’t do things for themselves. They put the needs of others above their own, and they do what they can to meet those needs expecting nothing in return. THAT is godly character. (See Philippians 2, around verses 3-5.)
And not only is godly character unselfish, but it is also self-sacrificing. Godly character is the willingness to sacrifice your own needs and comfort for the good of another. And godly character doesn’t allow personal prejudices or judgments to keep them from sacrificing for those in need. Godly character is unselfish and self-sacrificing, and that is exactly what we see in Abraham here.
And so, Abraham returns with a huge caravan of all the people and valuables these kings from the east had taken from all the cities of Canaan, and as he approached the area of Sodom and Gomorrah, two kings came out to meet him, and these two kings could not have been any more different. One was the King of Sodom, who is certainly a picture of the king of this world. And the other is the King of Salem, whom Hebrews 7:3 says is a picture of Jesus Christ (some say maybe even Jesus Christ himself).
But after a miraculous victory from God, there is a different kind of danger. The danger of pride and self-sufficiency. So now, Abraham’s godly character has to deal with that.
Genesis 14:17 (NLT)
17 After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
(We’ll return to the King of Sodom in a minute.)
Genesis 14:18 (NLT)
18 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine.
Melchizedek means: King of Righteousness. (Jehovah Tsidkenu – I Am Righteousness)
Salem means: King of Peace. (Jehovah Shalom – I am Peace)
And he is a priest of God Most High (El Elyon), and he brings bread and wine to commune with Abraham and to bless him.
Genesis 14:19-20(a) (NLT)
19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” . . .
Melchizedek blesses Abraham. But Melchizedek gives all the glory for the victory to God, who provided the victory.
And Abraham acknowledges that it was God who brought the victory by giving back to God a tenth of all that God had given him in this victory.
Genesis 14:20(b) (NLT)
20 . . . Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.
This was before the command to tithe in the Law of Moses. But Abraham knew God had given him the victory, and he worshiped God with a tenth of all he had received and the acknowledgment of God’s role and the tangible response of worship.
It is a major sign of godly character.
Finally, in extreme contrast to Abram’s exchange with Melchizedek, the King of Sodom also approaches Abram.
Genesis 14:21 (NLT)
21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.”
The King of Sodom has no right to say any of this. He has no right to allow Abraham to keep any of the wealth Abraham had recovered. Abraham had full rights to all of this.
Genesis 14:22–23 (NLT)
22 Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
23 that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’
Abraham had the right to all this wealth, but his integrity before God and his commitment to give God the credit for this victory in his life caused him to refuse it all. Abraham chose his integrity before God and his testimony of God’s role in his life over his right to this massive amount of wealth. THAT is true godly character.
But Abraham also has integrity and concern for those who served and fought with him, and so he makes sure to take care of them.
Genesis 14:24 (NLT)
24 I will accept only what my young warriors have already eaten, and I request that you give a fair share of the goods to my allies—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre.”
What a picture of godly character we see in Abraham’s life in this chapter. This doesn’t mean we are done seeing Abraham make mistakes – he’s got more of those coming. But this chapter does show us the heart of Abraham, and it shows us what godly character looks like.
Godly Character:
Is wise enough to stay in God’s will
Doesn’t judge – but helps when help is not deserved
Goes on a rescue mission of love for those who have gotten themselves in trouble
Doesn’t help for recognition or thanks
Doesn’t keep a scorecard of who owes who what
Is unselfish and self-sacrificing
Acknowledges God’s role in the victory in their lives and tangibly gives back to God in order to honor and worship God
Chooses integrity before God and God’s testimony in their lives over the things of this world.
The definition of the word “character,” as we are using it today, is “The moral qualities of an individual. And so, godly character is having moral qualities that are godly or “like God.”
I love the biographies of men and women in the Bible because every picture tells a story, don’t it? And in the lives of men and women in the Bible, we often see either godly or ungodly character come to life. And in the life of Abraham, one thing we see for sure is that godly character does not mean always making the right decision. It’s not about scoring; it’s not about how many decisions does Abraham make right. It’s about his heart. We’ve already seen Abraham make the wrong decision when he ran to the world in Egypt when he was facing the famine crisis.
But we have always got to remember what God says in 1 Samuel 16, verse 7.
1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)
7 . . . The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
And today, we are going to see the heart of Abraham, and we’ll watch a picture of “godly character” come to life.
In the last chapter, Abram and Lot parted ways. Lot began his move toward Sodom, and Abram settles down in Hebron (Promised Land). He builds an altar, settles in, and he starts worshiping God. And you’ll see that he starts building relationships, both vertical relationships with God in his worship and horizontal relationships that are positive with people around him. And Lot moved his tent closer and closer to the world until he was living in area of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot was drawn in by the prosperity and pleasures of the world, and Abraham (and God let him choose his path).
So, here is the setting for our picture of Godly Character today. There was a powerful coalition of four kings in the east (the land Abraham had left behind). And these four kings were in the process of making the majority of the Promised Land their subjects – meaning they were conquering the cities and forcing the people to pay tribute (taxes) to them.
And there were five much smaller kings centered around Sodom and Gomorrah who had decided to rebel against this coalition of kings from the east (stop paying their taxes). And Lot is right in the middle of it – just “living it up,” unaware that he was about to get swept away from the world he had chosen.
Genesis 14:1 (NLT)
1 About this time war broke out in the region. King Amraphel of Babylonia, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Kedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim
These were the four kings in the east who were forcing the cities in Canaan to pay them “tribute.”
Genesis 14:2-3 (NLT)
2 (And these kings of the East) fought against King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar).
3 This second group of kings joined forces in Siddim Valley (that is, the valley of the Dead Sea).
They are down there in the dead sea where we know Sodom and Gomorrah were, and they’ve decided to rebel.
Genesis 14:4 (NLT)
4 For twelve years they had been subject to King Kedorlaomer (had been his ‘subjects’), but in the thirteenth year they rebelled against him.
Well, these four big kings from the east did not take this rebellion of Sodom and Gomorrah well, and so they decided to make a point to the entire land of Canaan. They marched through Canaan (the Promised Land) and took out city, after city, after city. They were capturing these cities and looting them of anything of value, and taking the people as slaves, seemingly to “make a point” that it was not a good idea to rebel against them.
Genesis 14:5 (NLT)
5 One year later Kedorlaomer and his allies arrived and defeated the Rephaites at Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites at Ham, the Emites at Shaveh-kiriathaim,
The Rephaites were the descendants of the Rephaim (Genesis 6). The kings of the east were ransacking cities on their way to deal with Sodom and Gomorrah.
Genesis 14:6 (NLT)
6 and (they defeated) the Horites at Mount Seir, as far as El-paran at the edge of the wilderness. (Edge of the promised land)
Genesis 14:7 (NLT)
7 Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (now called Kadesh) and conquered all the territory of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites living in Hazazon-tamar.
They are just hammering every major city and people group in the Promised Land and accumulating tremendous wealth in stuff and people as they go. And then, finally, they reach the rebellious kings in the area of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Genesis 14:8–9 (NLT)
8 Then the rebel kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (also called Zoar) prepared for battle in the valley of the Dead Sea.
9 They fought against King Kedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Babylonia, and King Arioch of Ellasar—four kings against five.
But these five little “rebellious kings” in the Sodom and Gomorrah area were no match for this army from the east who were taking out city after city in the land.
And we see the humiliation in the next verse.
Genesis 14:10 (NLT)
10 As it happened, the valley of the Dead Sea was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains.
So, the armies of Sodom and Gomorrah run away, and as they do, they can’t even avoid falling into the tar pits in their own land.
Genesis 14:11 (NLT)
11 The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies.
Then finally, these kings from the east make one fatal mistake.
Genesis 14:12 (NLT)
12 They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he owned.
These were the final cities this army from the east came to plunder, and in addition to all the spoils of war from all the cities they had plundered. This also means the food supplies. They also captured Lot and took him as a slave, and they carried off everything he owned.
Fortunately for Lot, someone got to Abraham with the news.
Genesis 14:13 (NLT)
13 But one of Lot’s men escaped and reported everything to Abram the Hebrew (his name hasn’t been changed yet to Abraham), who was living near the oak grove (where he worshipped) belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his relatives, Eshcol and Aner, were Abram’s allies.
We’re not told how long it’s been since Lot moved to Sodom, but it’s been long enough for Abraham to make friends and allies of the people around him. And so, the first godly character trait we see here in Abraham is wisdom. Abraham was wise enough to stay in the center of God’s will and to build strong relationships with those around him, and that is the first sign of godly character that we see in Abraham in this chapter – wisdom.
Wisdom to stay in God’s will and build strong relationships both vertically with God (in his worship) and horizontally with those around him (his Allies).
And we continue to see the godly character of Abraham in verse 14.
Genesis 14:14 (NLT)
14 When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan.
All of a sudden, something changes in Abraham. He’s trusting in God. He knows this is the land God gave him; he knows God is going to work this out. Then there was Lot. Now it’s personal. Now Abraham has a responsibility. Now he has to do something about it. This is the second sign of the godly character of Abraham.
There is a lot in this verse. First, let’s remember how Lot got here. In Egypt, Lot fell in love with the world and with his stuff. Then his stuff caused conflict with Abram. Then he left Abram and moved toward Sodom, then Lot moved into Sodom, and now he’s a prisoner with Sodom.
Abraham knew the worldly environment of Sodom, and Abraham knew Lot’s choice was a mistake, and Abraham could have easily said what you and I might have said.
“Well, he made his bed; now he’s going to have to lie in it.” “Well, time for Lot to learn some hard lessons about his choices to live in the world.”
But godly character doesn’t judge others who are in need even if they have brought their troubles upon themselves. Godly character does not judge whether someone in need is deserving of your help, even if they brought their troubles upon themselves. Godly character does not sit in judgment and say, “because of this, and this, and this, they don’t deserve my help.” Godly character is a character like God, and you’re thankful God doesn’t have that approach to you. Godly character doesn’t judge those in need even if they brought their trouble on themselves.
Godly character steps in to help when help is not deserved because that is what God does for us.
Again, verse 14 says, When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household.
The fact that Abraham now had three hundred and eighteen men trained for battle again speaks to his godly wisdom and leadership. And this phrase (verse 14) that they had been born into his household does not mean born as babies – it’s a figure of speech. Meaning they had chosen to be servants in Abraham’s “household” in return for Abraham “caring” for them. And when verse 14 says Abraham “mobilized” them, the Hebrew word translated “mobilized” is literally “to draw out,” like drawing a sword out of a sheath.
But still, Abraham (with his three hundred and eighteen trained men) and his allies mentioned back in verse 13 were no match for these kings of the east, but Abraham chased this four king army who had whipped everyone in the land. He chased them for one hundred miles to Dan (far north of Israel).
Dan is one of our favorite places to go in Israel, and we see a three-thousand-year-old mud-brick gate there called “Abraham’s Gate” that Abraham most likely went through when he got to Dan on his search and rescue mission for Lot.
Genesis 14:15 (NLT)
15 There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.
Abraham was on a rescue mission of love for Lot, who had put himself in this mess in the first place, just like God chases us to rescue us when we put ourselves in a mess. And Abraham’s victory over this four king army who had plundered so many cities in Canaan is miraculous.
And not only does he defeat them in this nighttime battle, but he chases them all the way past Damascus (another thirty-plus miles), and maybe it was because Lot was still with them.
Genesis 14:16 (NLT)
16 Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken (all the plunder from all the towns), and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives.
This rescue mission of love is complete, and Abraham brings back Lot, his family, and his stuff. Now, we don’t get any information on the reuniting of Abraham and Lot, and we don’t know if Abraham even received a “thank you” from Lot. But godly character doesn’t help for recognition, and godly character doesn’t keep a scorecard of who owes who what.
Godly character is unselfish and unselfish people don’t do things for themselves. They put the needs of others above their own, and they do what they can to meet those needs expecting nothing in return. THAT is godly character. (See Philippians 2, around verses 3-5.)
And not only is godly character unselfish, but it is also self-sacrificing. Godly character is the willingness to sacrifice your own needs and comfort for the good of another. And godly character doesn’t allow personal prejudices or judgments to keep them from sacrificing for those in need. Godly character is unselfish and self-sacrificing, and that is exactly what we see in Abraham here.
And so, Abraham returns with a huge caravan of all the people and valuables these kings from the east had taken from all the cities of Canaan, and as he approached the area of Sodom and Gomorrah, two kings came out to meet him, and these two kings could not have been any more different. One was the King of Sodom, who is certainly a picture of the king of this world. And the other is the King of Salem, whom Hebrews 7:3 says is a picture of Jesus Christ (some say maybe even Jesus Christ himself).
But after a miraculous victory from God, there is a different kind of danger. The danger of pride and self-sufficiency. So now, Abraham’s godly character has to deal with that.
Genesis 14:17 (NLT)
17 After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
(We’ll return to the King of Sodom in a minute.)
Genesis 14:18 (NLT)
18 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine.
Melchizedek means: King of Righteousness. (Jehovah Tsidkenu – I Am Righteousness)
Salem means: King of Peace. (Jehovah Shalom – I am Peace)
And he is a priest of God Most High (El Elyon), and he brings bread and wine to commune with Abraham and to bless him.
Genesis 14:19-20(a) (NLT)
19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” . . .
Melchizedek blesses Abraham. But Melchizedek gives all the glory for the victory to God, who provided the victory.
And Abraham acknowledges that it was God who brought the victory by giving back to God a tenth of all that God had given him in this victory.
Genesis 14:20(b) (NLT)
20 . . . Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.
This was before the command to tithe in the Law of Moses. But Abraham knew God had given him the victory, and he worshiped God with a tenth of all he had received and the acknowledgment of God’s role and the tangible response of worship.
It is a major sign of godly character.
Finally, in extreme contrast to Abram’s exchange with Melchizedek, the King of Sodom also approaches Abram.
Genesis 14:21 (NLT)
21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.”
The King of Sodom has no right to say any of this. He has no right to allow Abraham to keep any of the wealth Abraham had recovered. Abraham had full rights to all of this.
Genesis 14:22–23 (NLT)
22 Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
23 that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’
Abraham had the right to all this wealth, but his integrity before God and his commitment to give God the credit for this victory in his life caused him to refuse it all. Abraham chose his integrity before God and his testimony of God’s role in his life over his right to this massive amount of wealth. THAT is true godly character.
But Abraham also has integrity and concern for those who served and fought with him, and so he makes sure to take care of them.
Genesis 14:24 (NLT)
24 I will accept only what my young warriors have already eaten, and I request that you give a fair share of the goods to my allies—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre.”
What a picture of godly character we see in Abraham’s life in this chapter. This doesn’t mean we are done seeing Abraham make mistakes – he’s got more of those coming. But this chapter does show us the heart of Abraham, and it shows us what godly character looks like.
Godly Character:
Is wise enough to stay in God’s will
Doesn’t judge – but helps when help is not deserved
Goes on a rescue mission of love for those who have gotten themselves in trouble
Doesn’t help for recognition or thanks
Doesn’t keep a scorecard of who owes who what
Is unselfish and self-sacrificing
Acknowledges God’s role in the victory in their lives and tangibly gives back to God in order to honor and worship God
Chooses integrity before God and God’s testimony in their lives over the things of this world.