Gen 14:1-16 ESV - 1 In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, 2 these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). 4 Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the border of the wilderness. 7 Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh) and defeated all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who were dwelling in Hazazon-tamar. 8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim 9 with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five. 10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country. 11 So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. 12 They also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way. 13 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.
Let's get a better understanding of the backstory with the map below:
What landmark or region was His name Jehovah-Elyon revealed?
Melchizedek comes out of nowhere to tell Abram that his victory was not won by 318 of his trained men "born of his house" but by the Most High.
Gen 14:19-23 ESV - 19 And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!"
Why did King of Salem intervene before Abram met the King of Sodom?
He's the one who created
He's the one who acquired
He's the one who purchased
He's the one who redeemed (i.e. Jesus)
***There is a reason that the translator didn't use the word "create?"
Bara vs. Qana (46x as buyer)
Why was it Melchizedek ("My King Is Righteousness") who delivers the name of Jehova-Elyon to Abram?
King Of Salem - Heb 7:2 ESV - 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
Contrast:
Gen 14:18, 21 ESV -
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) ...
21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself."
So, why did King of Salem intervene before Abram met the King of Sodom?
To present a choice before Abram after a victory:
Possessions or the Possesor ?
Buy or the Buyer?
Scripture doesn't tell us the details of Melchizedek and Abram's interaction but it's clear that Abram made his choice. He must have partaken in the bread and wine. By faith, he choose the Possessor and Buyer of his life, The Redeemer (Jesus).
Gen 14:22-23 ESV - 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich.'
Mat 6:24 ESV - 24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
Why is Jehovah THE MOST HIGH
14:20 - who has delivered your enemies into your hand!"
Gen 13:12-18 ESV - 12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD. 14 The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. 17 Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you." 18 So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.
Did Abram ask Jehovah if he should rescue Lot?
Why would it matter?
Could Melchizedek be telling Abram?
"You rescued Lot, but It is you whom Jehovah Elyon rescued "
God's Rescue / Blessings and Worldly Victories can be easily confused
The weight of El Elyon’s name:
Jehovah Elyon is the one who "continues" to rescue us.
Gen 14:19-23 ESV - 19 And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!"
Psa 91:1-2 ESV - 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Psa 57:2-3 ESV - 2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. 3 He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!
Psa 57:2 NKJV - 2 I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs / accomplishes [all things] for me.
Psa 78:35 ESV - 35 They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer.
I am LORD GOD of THE MOST HIGH because I am your covering.