8 – Melchizedek
Genesis 13:10 – 15:24
Both Abram and Lot were prosperous. Soon their herdsmen started arguing over grazing rights. Abram said, “We shouldn’t be fighting. After all, we’re family. There is plenty of land here. You choose. You go one way and I’ll go the other.”
Lot knew which direction he wanted to go. The Jordan valley had plenty of water, and it reminded him of Egypt. He’d often say to himself, “It’s like the Lord’s garden.” So he chose the entire Jordan Valley. He set up his tent near Sodom, even though the men there were extremely wicked.
Then the Lord said to Abram, “Look to the north and to the south. Look to the east and the west. I’m giving it all to you and your descendants. Get up! Walk over all this land. It’s yours.”
Some time later, an alliance of four city-kingdoms made war with the five cities around Sodom. The alliance won the battle and took all their possessions, food, and many of the people, including Lot.
When Abram heard about this, he took his 318 trained servants and chased after the alliance. He attacked them during the night and totally defeated them. He then took Lot, all the people, and their possessions back to Sodom.
Abram met Melchizedek when he got there. Melchizedek was the king of Salem, but he was also a priest of the Most High God. He said, “Abram is blessed by the Most High God, who created the heaven and earth. Give praise to the Most High God, because it is he who has given you victory over your enemies.”
Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
The king of Sodom said to Abram. “Give me the people and you keep all the possessions.”
Abram said, “No, I’m not taking any of it. I’m giving it all back to you, except what the servants ate during the campaign. I never want you to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ ”
With that, Abram and his servants went home. Soon afterwards, the Lord came to him in a vision and said, “I’m your shield and exceeding great reward.”
Abram answered, “Lord, I still don’t have a son, but I have a servant that is like a son to me. Let him inherit your promises to me.”
“No! You’ll have a son, and he’ll be your heir. Abram, look at the stars in the sky. Your descendants will be as hard to count as those stars.” This seemed impossible to Abram, but he believed it, and God was pleased!
- What does it mean to be blessed by God?
- Watch the video Melchizedek.
- Why do you think Abram gives everything back to the King of Sodom?
- Refer to Gen 13:8-18: How are Abram and Lot different?
- Why do you think Abram has such great faith in God’s promise of more descendants than stars in the sky?
- When and where can you build altars to God?
- Retell Melchizedek as a group.
