Genesis 14 – Study

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Genesis 14:11-17, 21-24

A. Find Out:

BEFORE YOU READ note: In v.1-11 we have 4 “kings” in Canaan fighting against 5 other “kings”. 

11 The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. 12 They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.

13 A man who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshkol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, ‘Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.’

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, “I made Abram rich.” 24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me – to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.’

1. Why did Lot get taken in the fighting? v.12
2. How is Abram described? v.13
3. What was Abram’s immediate response? v.14
4. What did he accomplish? v.15,16
5. What did the king of Sodom suggest to Abram? v.21
6. Why wouldn’t Abram take anything from them? v.23

B. Think:

1. What does this passage tell us about Abram?
2. What does Abram’s response to the king of Sodom clearly indicate?
3. What is the origin of the problem Abram has had to be dealing with?

C. Comment:

This is now the second time Abram has been involved in trouble because of Lot (v.12-14). It reminds us again that we have to suffer the “natural” consequences of disobedience, even though we may not suffer “eternal” consequences (as Jesus died for them). If we put our hand into the fire, we are still burnt. If we murder another we will still be arrested. Jesus, in his grace, may help us afterwards but we cannot escape by simply saying “I’m a Christian”!

Thank the Lord for your salvation and ask Him to open your eyes to any way you are being disobedient so that you can turn from it.   We also see something of Abram’s family loyalty, bravery and perseverance as he goes straight out and rescues Lot against great odds. Ask the Lord to help you be loyal to your family in the same way Abram was – even when they don’t get it right (like Lot).

Finally, we see how he is now determined to rely upon the Lord’s provision only. He does not want a part of the plunder from these kings, he rested in the sufficiency of what he had already. 

D. Application?

Think through on the matter of consequences. Read Galatians 6:7 and Proverbs 1:31. Read Proverbs 1:29-33 and note the promise at the end.

Passage: Genesis 14:18-24

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,

‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
    Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And praise be to God Most High,
    who delivered your enemies into your hand.’

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, ‘Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.’

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, “I made Abram rich.” 24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me – to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.’

A. Find Out:

1. Of where was Melchizedek king? v.18a
2. What did he bring Abram after the battle? v.18b
3. How also is he described? v.18c
4. What did he do? v.19a
5. How also does he describe God? v.19c
6. Who does he say brought the victory to Abram? v.20b
7. How did Abram respond to him? v.20c
8. What was Abram’s response to Melchizedek

B. Think:

1. For further explanation of Melchizedek read Hebrews 7:1-4
2. Why is Melchizedek somewhat mysterious?
3. What additional understanding about God did Melchizedek bring to Abram (see v.19c & 22c) that he had not known before?

C. Comment:

Abram has, as we saw yesterday, just rescued Lot from the various kings who were at war. Now this king of Salem (Jerusalem) comes out and gives him bread & wine and goes on to bless him (v.18-20). This is a strange interval. We know no more about this priest/king, who he was or why he came, only that he brought bread and wine and blessed Abram and received a tithe in return. In the New Testament he is seen as a picture of the one to come, Jesus.

Also like Jesus, he brought greater revelation of God. He describes the Lord as “God Most High” and “Creator of heaven and earth”. Before Abram had had little understanding of who the Lord was. Now (v.22) he acclaims Him in this way for the first time. It is remarkable that in that ungodly land there should have been this king who is described as “priest of God”. Here we therefore have a picture of two men of faith meeting, each blessing the other.

D. Application?

1. Do we bring greater revelation of the Lord to the people we meet?
2. Do we stand out as priests (see 1 Peter 2:9) in an ungodly world?
3. Praise the Lord that He is God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. It is all His!