Genesis 13 & 14: Will You Flee From Strife?
Verse of the Day: (13:8) And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
1. Strife (13:1-12)
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. (13:10)
God richly blessed Abram and his family because he trusted and obeyed Him. However, crisis soon arose as his herdmen and his nephew’s (Lot) herdmen began to strive and fight against each other because of power and rivalry. However, Abram was a man of God, and he humbly resolved the dispute by allowing Lot to choose the plot of land first, before he took the remainder of it. Indeed, Lot chose the best and most fertile land, facing Sodom and Gomorrah, and little did he know that his choice not only led him and his family to stray from God, but actually destroyed them. Let us remember that even though we may choose the best of everything in our own eyes, yet we must be careful to stay close to God and flee from sins, otherwise God shall judge and punish us for all our sins.
2. Sodom (13:13-18)
But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly. (13:13)
God richly blessed Abram even though he took the remainder of the land, while God severely punished Lot even though he chose the best land. The reason being Abram and his family were righteous and obedient to God, while Lot and his family and all the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were wicked and sinful before Him. (Genesis 19:24-25)
3. Salem (14:1-24)
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. (14:18)
Salem means Peace. Indeed, Melchizedek, the king of Salem, lived up to his city of Peace, as he was a peaceful king. When every king was fighting for fame and fortune, Melchizedek was contended to worship God, as he was the priest of the most high God interceding for all his people. Melchizedek came to Abram, and blessed him, and commanded Abram to give him tithes (10 % of all the possessions Abram had won from his victories over his enemies). The reason was that Melchizedek, the priest, represented God, and it was God who blessed Abram with his victories. Indeed, let us give tithes to God, because all that we have – our money, career, family and lives are from God. In fact, Melchizedek was the type of Jesus Christ, who is not only the King of kings, but He is also the High Priest, at the right hand of the throne of God, interceding for all our needs.
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to flee from strife and follow after You and Your peace.
