4.4. ABRAM COMPROMISED IN HIS LIFE OF FAITH (Genesis 12:10 - 13:4)

Verses 10-20 tell of Abram's sad mistake.

The famine was a test for Abram who was learning to walk by faith. He had not been brought from Ur in order to die of hunger.

The severe famine should have driven Abram to greater trust. Instead it exposed weakness. Whether it was right to go to Egypt is not the question. It was his wavering trust in the Lord's ability to protect him and his, that led to downfall. It was Sarai's beauty and attraction that were the source of Abram's fears (verse 11-13). His fear of man led to his resolve to save his own life by exposing his wife to danger (verse 13). What he asked her to say was the truth but not the whole truth, so it was a lie. Going "down" to Egypt proved to be more than geographical in this case. What he feared came upon him (verses 14-16). What a warning to us to act in faith, not fear. "BUT THE LORD PLAGUED PHARAOH"

God intervened to protect Sarai and save from the consequences of Abram's mistake. The Lord's plague was kinder than Abram's deceit. It was intended to keep Pharaoh from sinning against the purposes of God irrevocably. Further, the Lord showed that acting in faith is right - because He is able to protect and deliver.

He left Egypt, humbled - but with the new revelation of the Lord's ability to extricate him from all difficulties - even those of his own sinful making.

Chapter 13:1-4 records his return to Bethel. Abram never left Canaan again - one excursion into Egypt was enough. He came out materially, and more important spiritually, richer. When mistakes have been made, go back to Bethel, the house of God.

Genesis 13:5-13 tells of the separation of Abram and Lot, and the fatal choice of Lot.

What sad reading (Genesis 13:7 ). Contention in the household of faith makes an unfortunate impression on those outside, watching. "The Canaanites and Perizites then dwelt in the land." (Genesis 13:7 ). Any inconsistency spoils the witness.

This question (Genesis 13:9 ) brings out Abram's generosity and nobility of character. He gave Lot first choice. He has learned to trust in the overruling guidance of the Lord.

It has been said 'Lot's eyes were the binoculars of his heart.' Looking at the well watered plain going down towards Sodom and Gomorrah, he made his fatal choice (Genesis 13:10-11 ), he pitched his tent towards Sodom. His choices came out of his heart and were made before his herdsmen commenced to drive the cattle to the well watered plain. The full consequences he was to reap later.

After Lot departed (Genesis 13:14 ), the Lord talked with His friend (James 2:23 ), reassuring and comforting him with a more extended promise. Abram lifted up his eyes at the Lord's command. Lot had done so with lust. North, south, east, west, all the land given to his seed forever. (Genesis 13:15 ). Promise different to Chapter 12 in that the land is given personally to Abram and his SEED, and that it is forever. Abram is to possess the land by faith. He is told to

Genesis 13:17 "Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you".

The title to the land was his - it was his right. But as he walked the land it was his by faith. So with all the Lord's promises - where we plant our feet in possession the promise becomes ours. The possession of the land 'forever' is understandable from the interpretation of SEED, being Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:16 "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ."

The mighty 'wills' spoken by the archangel Gabriel concerning the holy child Jesus included these:

	He WILL be great
	The Lord God WILL give Him the throne of His father David
	He WILL reign over the house of Jacob forever
	Of His kingdom there WILL be no end

(See Luke 1:30-33 ).

Galatians 3:29 "And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

After being comforted in his faith continued to move and walk by faith (Genesis 13:18 ). Pitching his tent by the trees (possibly oaks) of Mamre (meaning vigour) in Hebron (meaning seat of association) parting from Lot in obedience, he moves into greater faith through imparted vigour, through vision and fellowship with the Lord. He built an altar there.

Genesis 14 brings out the commitment of Abram to the Lord.

A confederacy of kings of Mesopotamia (verse 1) made a military excursion into the Jordan valley and the districts south-east of Palestine. At the dead sea they were met by the kings of the plain (Genesis 14:2, 3 ) who had rebelled against Chedorlaomer after paying tribute for 12 years (Genesis 14:4 ). The Canaanite kings were defeated (verses 5-10). The victors carried away spoil and captives (verse 11) including Lot and his goods. Involvement with the worldly brings involvement in their disasters (2 Corinthians 6:14 ). Abram was living in commitment to the Lord, was dwelling in Hebron (Genesis 13:18 ). His association and fellowship with the Lord, separated him from the warring in the plain. To war a good warfare for the Lord as good soldiers, we must not get entangled with the affairs of this world (2 Timothy 2:4 ). Commitment means pleasing our Lord, the Captain who has enlisted us.

The plight of Lot was made known to Abram by one who had escaped (Genesis 14:13 ). Abram shows that his commitment to the Lord means real commitment to his brother (Genesis 14:14-16 ). Abram armed his household, pursued the kings, and recaptured the spoil. The committed and separated can be used to rescue brothers who have become entangled in the world, or who have been overtaken with a fault (Galatians 6:1 ).

When Abram returned, two kings met him (Genesis 14:17-18 ). King of Sodom, and Melchizedek, King of Salem. Salem later was known as Jerusalem. Melchizedek was also priest of 'the Most High God'. The first use of the name 'EL ELYON' that Abram readily accepted as the one true God YAHWEH. Melchizedek gave Abram bread and wine and blessed him in the name of the Most High God. Abram gave him a tenth of all the spoil. He is a portrait of Christ (Psalm 110:4, and Hebrews 5:10; 6:20; 7:1-17 ). Note the following points of comparison:

Isaiah 11:4 "But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked."

	Melchizedek in Hebrew means 'king of righteousness', prophesied of Christ Jesus, the branch of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1 ). Isaiah 11:4 "But with righteousness He shall judge the poor..." Isaiah 11:5 "Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist." Isaiah 32:1 "Behold, a king will reign in righteousness". Identifying Himself in baptism with sinners, He fulfilled all righteousness (Matthew 3:15 ). His death made possible the gift of God's righteousness to all who believe (Romans 3:21- 26 ). He reigns (Matthew 28:18; 1 Corinthians 15:25 ).
	Melchizedek Was King of Salem. Salem means peace (See Hebrews 7:1-2 ). Christ Jesus is the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6 ). Where Jesus reigns there is righteousness and peace.
	Melchizedek Brought Forth Bread and Wine. Note on what the believer feeds (John 6:53-58 ), and what Christ Jesus used as symbols of remembrance. (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. )
	Melchizedek Was Priest of the Most High God. (Psalm 110:4 ). Christ Jesus in an order superior to that of Aaron, as priest offered himself without spot to God (Hebrews 9:14 ). He ever liveth to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25 ). He reigns as the King-Priest upon His throne (Zechariah 6:13 ). No priest could be a king as well after the order of Aaron - Christ Jesus is King-Priest after the order of Melchizedek.
	Melchizedek Blessed Abram. (Genesis 14:19 ). Therefore he was, by the Holy Spirit in Hebrews 7:7, shown to be greater than Abram, so from Christ Jesus flows all blessing (Ephesians 1:3 ).
	Melchizedek Received Tithes of All From Abram. (Genesis 14:20; Hebrews 7:4-10 ). Old Testament giving of tithes is a picture of the dedication of the believer to Christ - dedication of life, time, talents, money, resources to the Lord's service.

Abram refused to take anything from the King of Sodom (Genesis 14:21-24 ). He would not be obligated to him, demonstrating his total commitment to the Lord (Yahweh), the Most High God (Elelyon), committed to the redemptive Lord and the Lord of lords.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Did finding the Canaanite in the land have an effect on Abram?
   • What was Abram's response to the Lord's appearance and reiterated promise?
   • Do you take every opportunity to give thank-offerings to the Lord?
2. What two meaningful things did Abram do when he moved to a mountain east of Bethel?
   • Do you demonstrate by what you do that the spiritual and eternal are the more important in your life?
3. Famine in the land tested Abram's faith. How did he learn that compromise brings danger, but that faith triumphs?
   • Why did God intervene to protect Sarai from the consequences of Abram's mistake?
   • Has God extricated you from difficulties of your own making?
   • When you do make mistakes, will you follow Abram's example and return to Bethel, the house of God?
4. Do you agree that contention in the household of faith spoils the witness?
   • Should you act generously, as Abram did towards Lot in the restoration of peace?
5. Would you agree that selfish choices like Lot's reveal the heart?
   • Have you proven that the full consequences of wrong choices are reaped later?
6. Do you conclude from Abram's experience after the departure of Lot, that God not only knows what is best for you, but He gives you the best?
7. Do you learn from Lot's plight, as a result of the battle of the kings, that involvement in the worldly and their interests can mean involvement in their disasters?
8. When, like Abram you learn of a brother's plight, do you believe that your commitment to the Lord means real commitment to your brother?
9. Abram armed his household. Who have been given responsibility to equip the saints for service?
10. How significant to New Testament truth is Abram's meeting with Melchizedek?
    • How significant was Salem to become?
    • What significance does this record of Abram paying tithes to Melchizedek, have for you?
11. Why did Abram refuse to take anything from the king of Sodom?
    • What names for God did Abram use in refusing the king of Sodom?
    • What significance has all this to your own spiritual commitment?