Genesis 14
Abram, at Hebron in the plain of Mamre, was far from the bad city, Sodom. He had plenty of servants and cattle. Later on, four kings came and fought against the kings of Sodom, and of four other cities. At last these four kings won the battle and took the people captive, with Lot and all the goods.
Abram heard about Lot. Abram had faith in God. He gathered his 318 trained servants and with some of his friends went after the four kings, till he caught them one night. They fought these kings and beat them, and brought back Lot and the people and goods to Sodom.
Just as he returned, the very noble king of Salem named Melchizedek came to meet him. His name means “King of righteousness”. His city means “Peace.” This noble king was also a priest, not of idols in a temple, but priest of the most high God. There is only one most high God, the true God of heaven. At Abram’s return, this noble king brought him bread and wine. He blessed Abram saying. “Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.” And Abram gave him one tenth of all the goods.
The king of Sodom was very happy as he saw his people brought back in peace. So he said to Abram, “Give me the persons and take the goods to thyself.” But Abram said, “I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread to a shoe-latchet, and that I will not take anything that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich.”
How good when One who owns heaven and earth is a man’s friend! If you have a very rich friend with many fields and houses who loves you, would you be afraid of being poor? You know that he will always help you, and you can tell him directly the things you need. How happy! Do you need to take one cent from anyone else?
The Lord of earth and heaven, the richest of all, is willing to be your Friend. Wonderful! Who? The most high God. He has shown His love for you by doing what no one else could do. He sent down His Son to die for your sins, so that you may be at peace with Him, have grace and get blessings. Have you ever heard of such love? Have you thanked His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of righteousness and the King of peace, because He left His heavenly Home and came to this earth to die for your sins?