Earthly Extravagance Exchanged for Eternity

Lot and Abram had too much between them to dwell in one place. Their herdsmen were striving against each other. “Abram said to Lot, ‘Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” [1]

Lot chose the area that was like the garden of the Lord. He pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. “But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.” [2]

The Lord spoke to Abram after Lot had separated from him. He told Abram to look northward, southward, eastward, and westward. Why? Because the Lord planned to give him the surrounding area. [3]

War broke out in Lot’s land. Lot and his family became prisoners of war. They lost everything. An escapee informed Abram about Lot’s situation and Abram rescued Lot, as well as Lot’s family and his goods. [4]

The king of Sodom offered to Abram the spoils of the war. “Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” [5]

He refused to take anything from a man who was exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

“Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was the priest of God Most High. He blessed him [Abram] and said: ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’” He [Abram] gave Him [Melchizedek] a tithe of all.” [6]

The writer of Hebrews explains that Melchizedek means “King of Righteousness” and that Salem means “Peace.” He is a priest not after the order of Aaron, but one without beginning or ending. He is God’s Most High Priest. He brought Abram bread and wine. Abram paid his tithe to Him. Melchizedek, “like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.” [7]

What began as strife between Lot’s and Abram’s herdsmen due to having too much, ended up for Abram as a divine visitation. Abram valued God’s righteousness – a righteousness not deserved. He allowed Lot the best land though he was Lot’s uncle and senior. He rescued Lot when Lot could not save himself. Abram valued God’s peace more than winning a battle of strife. Abram valued the Lord more than anything else. He got the Lord.

[1] Genesis 13:6-9
[2] Genesis 13:10-13
[3] Genesis 13:14-17
[4] Genesis 14:8-16
[5] Genesis 14:17, 21-23
[6] Genesis 14:18-20
[7] See Hebrews chapter 7, also Hebrews 5:6, 10 and 6:11