GENESIS 14

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ABRAHAM...A TALE OF THREE KINGS

• GENESIS 14

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1. KEDORLAOMER

• He was the main man in the region Abraham had
  left to journey to the Promised Land
• Together with three other kings, they united to
  put the kings of the Promised Land under their
  control
• Unsurprisingly the reason was money, but in the
  13th year these subject kings decide that enough
  is enough and they rebel

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• They suffer though a crushing defeat
• One of these kings is the king of Sodom who runs
  away leaving his city and his people to their
  fate...Including Abrahams nephew, Lot
• What is key for us, is the reaction of Abraham
  the man of faith to this news
• He could have abandoned Lot, but he doesnt.
  Instead with his allies he sets out to free him

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• Some seek to question Abrahams motivation, that
  culturally he was obliged to do this. But that
  cannot account for the urgency and determination
  he shows here
• Others seek to undermine what he actually
  achieved. But it is clear that what we see here
  is a miracle
• But again why did Abraham do this? It was a
  statement of his faith
• He knew what God had done in his life, and he
  realised that he was called to do the same

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• There are lessons for us here as to what our
  attitude should be to back sliding or sin
  affected brothers and sisters

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2. MELCHIZEDEK

• The Old Testaments man of mystery
• A man who combines the ministries of king and
  priest, found only in the Messiah. A man who the
  Book of Hebrews tells us is a foreshadowing of
  Christ
• In his coming he helps Abraham to refocus his
  life and brings him refreshment. A picture of
  Christs ministry to us at the Lords Table

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3. SODOM

• Here he seems to make Abraham a generous offer.
  Why? Most probably because of fear
• But what is important here is Abrahams reaction
  and reply. He will have none of it
• Abraham then shows that he had learned the lesson
  Melchizedek had been sent to teach. That God
  will supply all our needs
• So he will not allow the king of Sodom to seduce
  him into compromise. Nor should we.