So Only God Gets the Glory: Abram, the King of Sodom, and a Paradigm for Christian Decision-Making

00:00 - James Spencer (Host) Abram's example challenges us to consider how our choices align with our faith and witness. How might we ensure that God gets the glory in our decisions? It begins with a commitment to prayer discernment. We have to think these things through. We have to understand the basic purpose that we're shooting after is to give God the glory. 00:19 - Speaker 2 (None) Welcome to PREPPED, the podcast that equips you to live out God's story, not the world's story. Hosted by James Spencer, PhD , each episode bridges the gap between academic insights and everyday life, preparing you to understand the Word of God and put it into practice. Whether you're diving into biblical studies, looking for ministry guidance or aiming to deepen your faith, PREPPED empowers you to think biblically and theologically in a world that encourages you not to Ready to get PREPPED. Subscribe now and transform the way you bring God's story into the world. 00:54 - James Spencer (Host) Hey everyone, this is Dr James Spencer and you're listening to the PREPPED Podcast. This is where we explore the depth of scripture theology and its implications for how we live our lives as Christians today. I'm glad you joined me for this episode as we look at Genesis 14, 1 through 24. This is one of my quickly becoming one of my favorite passages to teach on. I think it's just such an odd passage. It's so seldom treated. It kind of gets lost in the whole sweep of the Abrahamic covenant, some of the other things that are going on, and so this is one that is quickly becoming my favorite to teach. Some of the other things that are going on, and so this is one that is quickly becoming my favorite to teach. The narrative really recounts Abram's courageous rescue of his nephew Lot, his interaction with Melchizedek, who is the enigmatic king and priest of Salem, who's only really pops back up a couple of times in scripture Psalm 110, and then in Hebrews and his refusal of the king of Sodom's offer to give him the provisions, the spoils of war, and I think together these moments paint this really powerful picture of faith and humility and the desire to give glory to God. Above all things, it's a story about choices and priorities and trust, and I think those lessons remain profoundly relevant for us today. So if you're enjoying this podcast, please share it with others and consider subscribing or leaving a review. Your support means a great deal and it helps us reach more people with these important discussions. 02:18 Now let's dive into the story of Abraham's victory, his acknowledgement of God's sovereignty and the lessons we can draw from his example. So Genesis 14 opens with a description of an intense regional conflict. Four kings and I may very well butcher these names, but you're going to have to bear with me the four kings are led by Chedoleomer, king of Elam, and he waged war against five kings, including the king of Sodom, and in the process, lot, abram's nephew, is also taken captive, along with his possessions, and so Abram learns of Lot's capture. He forms a rescue party, gathers 318 trained men from his household, and that detail about Abram's household tells us something important that Abram's wealth here and influence extended beyond material possessions. He had a loyal and capable group ready to mobilize. More than that, I think it underscores Abram's role as a protector of his family and a man of decisive action. 03:17 Abram's response is not hesitation, but immediate action, motivated by loyalty and love, but immediate action motivated by loyalty and love. So Abram goes out and he's victorious. He beats Chedorlaomer and his allies in a fairly swift and decisive victory. The whole battle is narrated in basically one verse, and so we know that the story of his defeating these kings is not really the point of the narrative. What we find is that this whole backstory where the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah and their allies go out and they try to fight against Chedorlaomer and Chedorlaomer ends up taking Lot captive this is the impetus, then, for Abram to go in and fight Chedorlaomer in the first place. He is not interested in protecting his land or anything like that. This is not something that Abram is normally involved with. But now that he has Lot, abram feels the need to go out and retake what Chedderly Omer has taken Lot, his family and his possessions. 04:19 And so I think the text really does highlight Abram's skill and leadership to a very minor degree, but it's also clear that this victory is not solely the result of human effort. I would argue that the point of the narrative is that it isn't really. The victory is not based on human effort. God's providence is evident throughout the narrative, preparing the way for Abram's success, and I think the victory also offers a glimpse into Abram's character. His willingness to risk his own safety for Lot demonstrates his deep sense of responsibility and compassion, and in this act we see a foreshadowing of the biblical principle that love often involves self-sacrifice. But I think those are pretty minor points. Abram's victory was not about gaining wealth or prestige, but about restoring what was lost and protecting his family, and I would say more so. Abram goes off to fight with the predetermined desire to give glory to God, and that whole idea sets the stage for these other themes that unfold in the second half of the chapter. As Abram journeys home with the spoils of victory, he has secured not only his family's safety, but also he's given a clear demonstration that God is with him. 05:35 Yet the most significant moments in this story come after the battle, when Abram encounters two kings with very different approaches. So first Abram encounters Melchizedek. Abram's return brings him face to face with Melchizedek, this sort of who, a character that biblically is sort of mysterious. Abram seems to have some familiarity with him, potentially, but as a biblical character he only occurs here, in Genesis 14, again in Psalm 110, where we see the order of Melchizedek, and then in Hebrews particularly I would say, hebrews 7, where we learn a little bit more about the lore, maybe, around Melchizedek and what it means to be in the order of Melchizedek. 06:24 In any case, Melchizedek is a mysterious figure. He's introduced as the king of Salem and the priest of the God Most High, and Melchizedek's identity has sparked much discussion among theologians. While some see him as a typological foreshadowing of Christ, others emphasize his role as a representative of God's presence beyond Abram's immediate lineage. My tendency is to look at Melchizedek as the latter, so there are some who argue that this is sort of a pre-incarnation instantiation of Jesus Christ. I don't see any indication in the text of that. I don't see the New Testament really emphasizing that an interesting and enigmatic figure who comes on the scene in order to bless Abram and to remind us that God just gave Abram this victory. And as this sort of character is looked back on and develops, what we get is this order of Melchizedek, because Melchizedek was a priest and a king, and so I don't see that Melchizedek is a representative of Christ, though obviously Christ is connected to this narrative as he is part of the order of Melchizedek. 07:46 So Melchizedek brings here bread and wine to Abram, and it's this gesture that prefigures themes, probably of a number of different things, but these are almost like priestly elements, I would say. And then he pronounces a blessing over Abram and he says blessed be Abram by God, most high possessor of heaven and earth, and blessed be God, most high, who has delivered your enemies into your hand. It's that last little section who has delivered your enemies into your hand. It's that last little section who has delivered your enemies into your hand, where we really see Melchizedek acknowledging what's just happened, that this is not about Abram's military prowess, this isn't about a well-devised strategy that couldn't be beaten. This is about God delivering Abram's enemies into his hand. And that blessing is deeply significant because it acknowledges God's sovereignty as the possessor of heaven and earth and it credits God with Abram's victory. So Melchizedek's role as a priest of the Most High God legitimizes that declaration, affirming that Abram's success is not his own but God's. 08:54 And Abram's response, I think, is equally profound. He gives Melchizedek a tenth of everything, an act that acknowledges Melchizedek's status as God's representative and affirms the truth of the blessing. And by offering the tithe, abram shifts the focus away from his military prowess to God's provision and power. And so he's got all of these things. He's got all of the spoils of war, and he gives Melchizedek a tenth of that in acknowledgement of his blessing that he has brought and the reality that he has proclaimed, that God has given Abram the victory. And I think the encounter reminds us of the importance of humility and gratitude in the face of success. But more than that, it reminds us that, you know, abram is here serving God and he is doing the things that he's doing in light of the reality of God, in acknowledging that it's God's hand that gives Abram the victory. I think this narrative challenges us to consider how often we pause to give God the glory for our own achievements. Do we, like Abram, honor God as the ultimate source of blessing? Now, I also think Melchizedek's blessing serves as a theological hinge in the story, connecting Abram's faith to the larger redemptive plans of God. It invites us to reflect on how God works through his representatives to affirm his promises and redirect our focus to his ultimate authority. So who is this Melchizedek? I've addressed it a little bit, but maybe we'll go a little bit more in depth here. 10:24 Melchizedek's identity and role have really been intriguing for a lot of years and his significant extends far beyond this encounter with Abram. In Hebrews 7, melchizedek is described as a type of Christ, with his dual roles as king and priest, prefiguring Jesus and Jesus's unique office. And the writer of Hebrews emphasizes Melchizedek's lack of genealogy in the Genesis account, portraying him as a figure who foreshadows the eternal priesthood of Christ. He is without mother, father or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the son of God, he continues a priest forever. And so the idea here is not to say that Melchizedek is Jesus or to say that Melchizedek is this sort of ultra human who really, truly had no end, had no beginning. But it's a play on, I think, this enigmatic entrance of Melchizedek Melchizedek and is showing this idea that he is sort of because we don't see where he comes from or how he ends his days, he's sort of enshrined as this interesting figure who encounters Abram in Genesis 14 and that we never really see again. And so it's a play on that mysterious nature of Melchizedek. 11:43 Here, I think the connection highlights the superiority of Melchizedek's priesthood over the Levitical priesthood which came later. But Jesus' priesthood, like Melchizedek's, is not based on lineage but on divine appointment, and that makes Melchizedek an essential link in understanding the continuity of God's redemptive plan. Now Psalm 10 also references Melchizedek in a messianic prophecy, stating you are a priest forever after the continuity of God's redemptive plan. Now Psalm 10 also references Melchizedek in a messianic prophecy, stating you are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. And the verse is often cited in the New Testament and underscores Melchizedek's enduring importance as a symbol of Christ's eternal priesthood. 12:17 His brief appearance in Genesis thus serves as a theological cornerstone for understanding Jesus's role as both king and high priest. And for us today, melchizedek's story challenges us to recognize Jesus as our ultimate mediator and ruler. Just as Abram honored Melchizedek as a representative of God, we are called to honor Christ as the fulfillment of this priestly and kingly archetype. His reign and intercession are eternal, offering us hope and assurance in every circumstance. So after Melchizedek leaves the scene, the king of Sodom enters. 12:52 And after his interaction with Melchizedek, abram encounters the king of Sodom. But unlike Melchizedek, the king of Sodom doesn't bring a blessing or an acknowledgement of God. Instead, he makes Abraham an offer. He says Abram, you can keep all the spoils of war, but I would like you to return all the people. Now, on the surface, that offer might seem fair and even generous. Abram's victory secured these spoils. However, abram's response reveals a deeper commitment to honoring God. He refuses the offer, saying this I have lifted my hand to the Lord, god most high possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you say I have made Abram rich. 13:38 And Abram's decision here is interesting for several reasons. First, I think it shows forethought and resolve. This isn't something that Abram decided on the spot. He's actually thought this through a bit. His words suggest that he anticipated the situation and had already determined his course of action, and that isn't a decision made in the heat of the moment. It was rooted in a clear understanding of his values and priorities. 14:03 Second, abram refusal, or Abram's refusal, underscores his desire to ensure that God alone receives the glory. And while he acknowledged his men's share and the practical needs of those who fought alongside him, abram is unwilling to let anyone attribute his success to human generosity. What he wants to make sure of is that only God gets the glory. When Abram is rich, when the covenant promises come true, he does not want an asterisk on those promises. He wants people to be able to look back and say, yes, god did all of this for Abram. His actions protect the narrative of God's faithfulness and provision. And finally, I think the moment invites us to reflect on our own decision-making. Are we willing to forego opportunities that might compromise our testimony or shift glory away from God? 14:51 Abram's example challenges us to consider how our choices align with our faith and witness. How might we, like Abram, ensure that God gets the glory in our decisions? It begins with a commitment to prayer discernment. We have to think these things through. We have to understand that the basic purpose that we're shooting after is to give God the glory, and so there are going to be moments where we can make decisions that put that glory in the backseat, push it behind us, and we don't want that. So, before pursuing a course of action, we should ask ourselves will this decision point, will this decision that I'm making point to and glorify God? Will it gesture others toward God? Will it allow me to testify that it is God who did this, or will it open me up to questions about well, you say God did this, but it sure seems like this person could have been a part of it, or this person could have been a part of it. 15:51 There's multiple reasons that you have what you have, and it isn't all attributable to God. We want to try to avoid that as much as we can. Additionally, I think we must be willing to prioritize faithfulness over immediate gain, trusting that God's provision is sufficient. And Abram really does show us that. A God-centered approach to decision-making often involves sacrifice, but it also brings peace and integrity, ensuring that our lives remain testimonies to his power and grace. 16:18 Now, following these encounters, god does reaffirm his promise to Abram in Genesis 15.1. He says this fear not, abram, I am your shield. Your reward shall be very great. So Abram's just, you know sort of jettisoned all of this wealth that the king of Sodom has offered him, and God's coming back in and reassuring him that he's made the right decision. And I think this declaration in 15.1 ties the narrative together, reminding us that Abram's choices were not made in isolation. God's presence and promise undergirded Abram's actions, providing both the courage to act and the assurance to trust. This divine reassurance is crucial because it highlights the relationship between faith and obedience. 17:00 Abram's refusal of the king of Sodom and his offering to Melchizedek were both acts of faith that stemmed from his confidence in God's provision, and in those moments, abram chose to prioritize God's glory over personal gain, a decision that continues to resonate as a model for faithful living. For us today, this narrative serves as a powerful reminder that God is our shield and will provide when we act in alignment with his will. We can trust that he will sustain us, even when our choices seem counterintuitive or costly. Abram's story encourages us to rely on God's promises and to make decisions that reflect his faithfulness in our lives. As we close, let's just take a moment to reflect on Abram's example. His victory, his offering to Melchizedek and his refusal to the king of Sodom's offer all point to a life centered on glorifying God. 17:49 Abram's story challenges us to evaluate our own motivations, decisions and responses to success. Are we quick to acknowledge God as the source of our blessings? Do we protect his glory in the way we handle opportunities and challenges? Abram's actions remind us that true faith isn't just about belief. It's about aligning every aspect of our lives with God's purposes. Hey, thanks for joining me on today's episode of PREPPED. If you found this discussion helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit from it also. I look forward to continuing our journey through the scriptures together and, until next time, stay grounded in God's word and keep your focus on him. 18:37 - Speaker 2 (None) We'll see you next time. Podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more believers eager to live out God's story. Share this episode with a friend, family member or loved one and together let's keep challenging the world's narratives. Until next time, stay grounded, stay inspired and continue living out God's plan. See you soon on our next episode of PREPPED.