The Word of God came to Abram after he was parted from Lot as both a reward and a preparation. Upon this Word of assurance, with new light breaking in as to the land in which he was a pilgrim, Abram mounted up to Mamre at Hebron. Hebron means "communion," Mamre, "fatness." The higher he climbed, the more he saw.
Abram communed with God as to the promises and counsels. His heart was free to expand in the growing knowledge of his heavenly portion and companionship with his Friend, his Creator-God.
When faith is strong and the life and spirit are free, we cut our moorings and launch forth. Had not God said, "Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee"?
At the first appearing God had said, "Into the land which I shall skew thee;" during the second appearing, "Unto thy seed will I give this land;" in this, the third visitation, after Abram's separation from Lot, God said, "For I will give it unto thee." Abram had learned his lessons well, although there was much more to learn, especially patience. He had been taken away from all natural resources, and with impediments removed, he was free to enjoy his portion fully, as well as to be a help to others as occasion might arise.
With a good conscience and full dependence upon God, he was given moral power in an ungodly world.
Acquaintance with the life of Abram and its connections proves of great value in giving clues to doctrines found in the New Testament. Almost every unchangeable principle of life is found in the early part of Scripture.
Sodom.
"And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations; That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.... And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people" (Gen. 14:1,2,13-161And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations; 2That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar. (Genesis 14:1‑2)
13And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. 14And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. 15And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. 16And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. (Genesis 14:13‑16)).
Since social corruption is the harbinger of political overthrow, Chedorlaomer, the king of Persia, today Iran, was used of God to afflict Sodom because of her base wickedness.
Lot found himself in the midst of the overthrow, without resource, with an aching heart and a wrecked happiness,' his paradise having come to a sudden fearful end. How could it be that a righteous man would be found in such a plight? Was it because of worldliness? or lust for gain? or living without an altar? Yes, and added to this outward calamity, even worse, a bad conscience.
Not many years had passed since coming out of Egypt. It was the time now to call upon God for deliverance, but God did not seem to be in all of his thoughts.
Abram, living in the place of safety and friendship with God, and with a good conscience, had nothing personally to do with Chedorlaomer. What would the king of Persia want with a few nomadic herdsmen dwelling in their tents? He was probably not even aware that there was such a person as Abram. But he was soon to learn in a sudden bloody defeat that Abram and Abram's God were near.
Why did Abram become involved in the battle with Chedorlaomer? Word came to him that his nephew Lot had been taken captive. The warm affection for his brother caused Abram to arm his trained servants and, with his confederates, to fall upon Chedorlaomer by night and rout the enemy. This seasonable action, full of wisdom and resource, saved Lot and his substance.
At this time, Abram's life consisted of a tent and an altar, worship, and revelations from God. At Mamre he learned to apprehend these revelations with increasing clarity and accuracy, such being the case with one with a single eye. He remained in the place of his calling, in the highest part of it. The revelations from God to him were rich, sweet, and holy. His knowledge of God was intimate and deep. Abram's personal life was simple and happy, for he walked with God just as he hoped to do in the city for which he was looking.
The Valley of Shaveh.
"And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of shaveh, which is the king's dale. And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, 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 he gave him tithes of all" (Gen. 14:17-2017And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale. 18And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. (Genesis 14:17‑20)).
What a vista is spread before our souls in the broad level plain called the king's dale in the valley of Shaveh! It teems with spiritual fruits, principles of righteousness and peace, and typical utterances which speak of later unfoldings of the full mind of God in the New Testament.
As the king of Sodom made his way toward the place where Abram and his confederates were in possession of all the souls and spoils resulting from the victory over the four kings, there appeared another visitor. The Lord had sent Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God, the king of Salem, to meet Abram upon his return from the battle.
How vast the truth, in broad outlines, enclosed in the simple setting with the sudden brief appearance of a character hitherto entirely unknown!
In this seasonable visit, Melchizedek brought forth bread and wine and said, "Blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he (Abram) gave him tithes of all (spoils)." The title, "Most High," is millennial. The coming millennial reign was set forth here in type by Melchizedek, King of righteousness, King of peace, Who will rule in righteousness while He dispenses blessing. (See Heb. 7.) Abram was blessed of the greater.
Mysteries, revelations, and visions of truth flooded over Abram's soul. He it was who looked for a city with foundations whose Builder and Maker is God. The special representative of that city had now come to meet with Abram in the valley of Shaveh, bringing with him bread and wine.
What kind of armor was this that was brought to Abram? for armor it was, for a battle yet to be won, not against Chedorlaomer. No, he was already vanquished. This was against the wiles of Satan himself.
Nothing would do to prepare Abram for this complete victory over the world except bread (perpetual strength and sustenance) and wine (continual joy) in the consciousness that the God Who was his Friend was the Possessor of heaven and earth. This proposes life and joy through a Mediator.
Is it too much to say that Abram's vision was lifted far above the battlefield and the trophies which lay at his feet? In spirit was he not now reveling in the city that has foundations whose Builder and Maker is God?
Melchizedek might disappear as mysteriously and quickly as he came, but not the effects of his words or his presence. How could Abram's soul leave those lofty heights to stoop to wages of iniquity! Communion with heaven colored everything with its proper hue. The temptation had vanished when Melchizedek had left the scene. Abram had been forewarned by God, so forearmed. Only grace will do in the paths of righteousness.
When Satan comes with his wiles, our Melchizedek has already fortified us with the Word of God and visions of righteousness and peace, yea, its bread and wine, announcing the Most High God, the Possessor of heaven and earth. We are dependent for divine guidance in everything.
In the case before us, Abram's thoughts were right inasmuch as God possessed his reins. Besides, a man of God, a pilgrim, did not desire the spoils of war.
The Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, had already, long ago, blessed Abram and promised him that all was his earthly possession, but now he had the bread and wine. Abram alone rose above his calling.
Notice the elevation surrounding his answer to the king of Sodom: "And Abram said to the king of Sodom, 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 even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take anything that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me,... let them take their portion" (Gen. 14:22-2422And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, 23That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: 24Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion. (Genesis 14:22‑24)).
Abram refused to be a conscience for others.
Dignity flows from communion, and liberty and elevation result from a personal waiting upon God for the next step of faith, with the ear tuned to hear His Words. A pilgrim, a heavenly stranger, fresh from the table of bread and wine, with Melchizedek presiding, was morally preserved in the path of righteousness.
Abram kept a good conscience (a merry heart). Communion is the feast.
As a result of the meeting with Melchizedek Abram came forth with power over the world.