A Rescue and a Regal Blessing

This chapter opens with the Bible's first explicit mention of war. In the midst of battle, the enemy captures Lot and Abram cannot stand idly by. In response, he mounts a campaign to rescue his nephew and successfully delivers him from harm's way—all the while displaying a Christlike compassion and foreshadowing the redemption of God's people from a much greater bondage! The battle isn't the end of the story, however, for a brief interaction between Abram and the kings of Sodom and Salem leads to a further confirmation of God's promise. While Sodom's king dishonors Abram, even though he owes him his life, Salem's mysterious priest-king Melchizedek blesses Abram and is blessed in return. In fact, this king's status excels that of Abram and he becomes a pattern for the work of Christ himself! May we receive and rest in the work of our triumphant priest-king, who is blessed with resurrection life and blesses us with the same in him!