This is a dense chapter and I will attempt to summarize.
Five kings (from Sodom, Gamorrah, Admah, Zeboyim, and Bela [Zoar]) lost a war against four kings (from Elam, Goyim, Shinar, and Ellasar). The victorious kings looted everything from the losing kings, including Lot’s family and all of Lot’s possessions (since he was living in Sodom). Abram hears this from a survivor, takes 318 trained men on a night raid and defeats the five kings, reclaiming all that was stolen, including Lot’s family and their possessions – a miraculous feat.
“After Abram returned… the king of Sodom came out to meet him… Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. The king of Sodom said to Abram, ‘Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.’ But Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘…I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High… 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.” ‘ ” (v17-23 abr)
There are two main points to take away regarding Abram. First, Abram recognized this victory was clearly from the Lord, so he met with a high priest, broke bread and had wine (an early form of communion?) and he tithed a tenth of the goods to the Lord. Second, unlike Lot, Abram sets a clear boundary between himself and Sodom by not making any deals with their king. All of Abram’s actions in this chapter set him apart for God, which is an integral part of his faith journey.
The other person I’d like to discuss would be Melchizedek – his name literally translated means “king of righteousness”. Now, he is mentioned 3 places in the Bible – once here, once in Psalm 110:4, and in Hebrews 6:19-7:28. Both references in Psa and Heb are talking about Jesus being “a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek”. What does that mean? I believe the meaning is two-fold.
1. Jesus is also a “king of righteousness” – both King and a Priest of the Most High God. He plays the king-priest role as Melchizedek did in Salem.
2. Traditionally, careers were passed down through bloodlines – you would “carry on the family business” and sons would have the same profession as their father. A few generations from this point, the priests of God are determined to be from the Levitical line of Aaron (Moses’ brother). Aaron, and all those who followed in his lineage were priests. Melchizedek, is not from Abram’s lineage and therefore not a Levitical priest. Jesus, though from Abram, is also not a Levitical priest, since He comes from the lineage of Judah, not Levi (two of Abram’s great-grandsons). So, just as Melchizedek was not a Levitical priest, neither is Jesus, despite the fact the priestly lineage was traditionally from Levi, and then more specifically from Aaron.
I know that was a lot of history packed into a few paragraphs, so I won’t be offended if you ask questions for clarity (I may have left out important information in an attempt at brevity).
I’m not sure what my takeaway is today, though I encourage us to continue praising and following our king-priest savior Jesus, who not only rules as the King of Kings, but is also the Most High Priest who permanently dealt with our sin problem.
~ Conqueror in Training