Genesis 15:1

"After this" - There is something very weighty about this little phrase. It is almost as though the writer is coming up for for a quick breath before he plunges back down into another scene of this epic story. It follows the climax of an action filled chapter - Abram at his best with his God firmly at the centre of his life. These opening 2 words mark the passing of a submit in Abram's journey, a landmark of victory. To deal with them we need not only look back but also forward. Typical of human experience - Abram seems to plummit from his mountain top to a place of despair. He cries to the Lord, "I have no Children and a servant will be my heir". What a contrast compared to his indignant refusal of the riches held out by the King of Sodom. I guess it is difficult to know how much time had passed when the verse says "after this" but the author must link the two stories for a purpose. The humanity of the biblical heroes is never skirted over. Real doubt, real fears and sometimes really big failure. Can a man of such uncompromising conviction really swing to a place of such vulnerability and uncertainty? Can you hear the voice of God as clearly as Abram, see his miraculous intervention time and time again and yet spiral into a place of doubt and disillusionment? I think chapter 15 gives a resounding "yes" in answer to that question. We can take comfort from this passage. Perhaps the knowledge that we're not alone will add some perspective next time we find ourselves descending toward these thoughts and feelings.

Genesis 14:24

I just wanted to jot a brief bookmark on this verse for an area of personal interest - capitalism and ideology. It will be a helpful place to begin shaping a biblical view of property and labour as well as providing a foundation from which to consider various idealogical positions. Abram's statement seems to affirm the idea that people should be fairly reimbursed for the work they do and the risks they take. It is also implicit within this affirmation that it is entirely reasonable for the worker to have rights over the possessions they earn through that labour and risk. It is also important to recognise the righteous example Abram sets in his position as a leader within this community - a position that would seem to be on a par with a King. Abram appears not to have exploited those under his jurisdiction. He could have denied the soldier his wage, he could have tried to levy a heavy tax and used it to grow richer himself. Instead Abram models faith, integrity and restraint - an important quality for the father of a nation.

Genesis 14:25-

If the King of Salem is synonymous with the Messiah then we are immediately met with the contrast in the closing section of this dramatic sequence of events. The King of Sodom must represent the King of evil. We’ve already been told in verse 13 that the “men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord”. So Abram’s meeting with the priest of the Most High God is abruptly followed by an encounter with the smooth talking leader of God’s enemies. The plot is a very subtle attempt to trap Abram. It isn’t the first time we’ve been introduced to such subtle and deceptive tactics. He comes dressed as a King. Would you be impressed? Flattered? His suggestion didn’t even seem unreasonable – “you keep the goods, it was after all your rescue mission”. Those words seem familiar to my own psyche. I know the reasoning of my own mind inevitably ushers me towards self-interest. There is justification for all kinds of behaviour when we reason for long enough. This time, however, Abram is on fine form and resists the persuasive voice calling out to him. He declares in no uncertain terms that “no one will make me rich accept for God”. What a powerful declaration and yet one that we sadly often neglect. How often do we fall for the empty promises that are made all around us? Idols that promise a short cut to riches only God can truly provide. I think the question we are left with is “who do we look to for the provision of our treasure?”.

Genesis 14:18-24

I haven't blogged for a long time because this passage seems so familiar that I've found it difficult to handle. I've finally found a place where it is living afresh in my heart.

The more I allow myself to meditate on verse 18 the more I realise how rich it is with prophetic imagery and perhaps even suggestive of an appearing of Chirst. Not only is 'King of Salem' synonymous with 'King of Jerusalem', the title of the coming Messiah but there he stands with bread and wine in his hands. I believe this is the first time these symbols have been introduced in Scripture and it is paired with perhaps the strongest picture yet of the coming Christ. These symbols will become the most significant meal in the life of the Church and will be shared probably on a daily basis around the world until God's story reaches its culmination and everything is restored by Jesus. It is profound to find these symbols so closely tied to Christ and yet thousands of years before his incarnation. Verse 18 is surely a nugget so easily missed and yet so deep, so rich and so prophetic.

So what a stage Abram finds himself on. Here he is stood before the "Priest of the God Most High" perhaps before Christ himself. The sequence of events in the next 2 verses is crucial in what will become a central teaching in the life of the Church - giving. If you asked most people to recall this passage they would probably jump straight in to the fact that Abram gave Melchizedek a tithe. Lets not make that mistake. The following words are central - "he blessed Abram".

Abram gave a tenth of everything in response to the blessing of God. The blessing is expressed in terms of God's deliverance of Abram's enemies into his hands. This is the place giving must flow from - realisation that God has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. In other words we give because we have been blessed or enriched beyond our own means. Often we are told we give because God will give back to us. I think the biblical foundation for giving is clearer here. Giving as a response to the blessings already poured out upon us. God's blessing transcends the tenses - it isn't just about the things he has done, we live in its reality and also enjoy the knowledge that his blessing makes provision for our future to. We are in the hands of God.

So we give to Christ as a joyful response for what he has done for us. Perhaps this can be mistaken for an attempted repayment - I prefer the thought that is a reflection of trust in the God who has proved he is more able to provide for me than I am able to provide for myself.

I do not intend to make much of the "tenth" that Abram gave. It would seem to me this is merely the first marker in Abram's journey towards giving everything and that is expressed fully in Abram's willingness to sacrifice Isaac.