GENESIS LESSON 23

     We will begin this lesson in chapter 14 of Genesis verse 1.

     Genesis 14:1 "And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of
Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal
king of nations;" Genesis 14:2 "[That these] made war with Bera king
of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and
Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar."
Genesis 14:3 "All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim,
which is the salt sea."

     There are just a few things in this to note. #1. Elam is modern
Iran #2. Vale of Siddim and Salt Sea are the same as the Dead Sea. #3.
Remember that Lot had settled at, or near, Sodom.

     Genesis 14:4 "Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the
thirteenth year they rebelled." Genesis 14:5 "And in the fourteenth
year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that [were] with him, and smote
the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the
Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim," Genesis 14:6 "And the Horites in their
mount Seir, unto El-paran, which [is] by the wilderness." Genesis 14:7
"And they returned, and came to En-mishpat, which [is] Kadesh, and
smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that
dwelt in Hazezon-tamar." Genesis 14:8 "And there went out the king of
Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king
of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same [is] Zoar;) and they joined
battle with them in the vale of Siddim;" Genesis 14:9 "With
Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and
Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with
five."

     I think that what we must see in all of this, is that there was
unrest in the land for over 14 years. This land was broken into small
areas and each one had a king. Any time a group of people start a
fight with someone else, it is the desire for power and wealth that
makes them do it. I am just sure that such was the case here, as well.
All these kings wanted to be the top king.

     Genesis 14:10 "And the vale of Siddim [was full of] slimepits;
and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they
that remained fled to the mountain."

     This area of the slimepits was an area where oil deposits had
come to the surface. Some of the modern Bibles call the slimepits
(asphalt). At any rate, this would be of great use to them.

     Genesis 14:11 "And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah,
and all their victuals, and went their way." Genesis 14:12 "And they
took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods,
and departed."

     This is where they got into trouble. Abram would not have
joined into this confusion, if they had left Lot alone. Why they did
not just take Lot's possessions was not clear. Possibly, he and his
family would have become slaves to these barbaric people. The people
who are modern Iran are the same people who took Lot. They have not
changed their tactics. they are still kidnapping people.

     Genesis 14:13  "And there came one that had escaped, and told
Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite,
brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these [were] confederate
with Abram." Genesis 14:14 "And when Abram heard that his brother was
taken captive, he armed his trained [servants], born in his own house,
three hundred and eighteen, and pursued [them] unto Dan."

     Our leaders could take instruction from Abram. He took immediate
action. He gathered a few allies who had relatives captured. He took
well trained (very loyal) servants to catch these kidnappers, who had
run off with his nephew, Lot. The word "brother", above,was a loose use
of the word. A better translation would have been relative, just as
people might call Dr. Pepper, a Coke. When you say you want a Coke
now, people ask what kind? They use the word Coke to mean all soda
pops. So it is, with the use of "brother". It could mean any relative.

     Genesis 14:15 "And he divided himself against them, he and his
servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which
[is] on the left hand of Damascus." Genesis 14:16 "And he brought back
all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods,
and the women also, and the people."

     You have heard the slogan (don't mess with Texas). You certainly
do not mess with the anointed of God. Abram was chosen of God. Lot did
get an overflow of blessings through Abram. It seemed that Abram and
his servants had no trouble at all rescuing Lot, and all Lot's earthly
possessions. Not only did Abram bring Lot's possessions back, but
Abram took all their possessions.

     Genesis 14:17  "And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after
his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that
[were] with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which [is] the king's dale."

     It seemed this king's dale, or Shaveh, was actually the Kidron
valley right out of Jerusalem. I am sure the king of Sodom was happy
to see that someone could whip this evil group, and return with what
was taken.

     There is such a separation in the next statement. We must take a
really good look at this.

     Genesis 14:18 "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread
and wine: and he [was] the priest of the most high God."

     Very few ministers will even touch this Scripture above, but
being brave, we will give it a try. Who is this Melchizedek?
     Let's look up the other Scriptures in the Bible that pertain to
Him.

     Psalms 110:4 "The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou
[art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." This
Scripture in Psalms, was talking about Jesus being a high priest
forever. It indicated that Melchizedek was, also, a priest forever. It is
a prophetic Scripture saying, Jesus would, also, be a priest forever.
     Hebrews 5:6 "As he saith also in another [place], Thou [art] a
priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."

     This Scripture was saying, that Jesus was not like Aaron and the
earthly priests, who received priesthood, because of the tribe they
were born into. It was saying, that Jesus (like Melchisedec) was always
high priest. Hebrews 5:10 "Called of God an high priest after the
order of Melchisedec." Then, again, in Hebrews 6:20 "Whither the
forerunner is for us entered, [even] Jesus, made an high priest for
ever after the order of Melchisedec."

     You see, God showed the Israelites back in the Old Testament a
high priest of His making. Then, He said here is your example of one to
come.  Jesus did not come through the Levitical tribe. He was ordained
of God himself. He came from the tribe of Judah, but really was from
God Himself. Let us read on, in chapter 7 of Hebrews, and see the
resemblance of Melchisedec and Jesus, if you will, a type of the Lord
Jesus Christ.

     Genesis 14:19 "And he blessed him, and said, Blessed [be] Abram
of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:" Genesis 14:20
"And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies
into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all."

     Hebrews 7:1-6, "Hebrews 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem,
priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the
slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;"
     Hebrews 7:2 "To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first
being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also
King of Salem, which is, King of peace;"
     Hebrews 7:3 "Without father, without mother, without descent,
having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto
the Son of God; abideth a priest continually."
     Hebrews 7:4 "Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom
even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils."
     Hebrews 7:5 "And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who
receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take
tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren,
though they come out of the loins of Abraham:"
     Hebrews 7:6 "But he whose descent is not counted from them
received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises."

     Let's stop here from the Scriptures for just a moment, and discuss
a few revelations.

     Who is the King of righteousness?
     Who is the King of peace?
     Who is the One who has no beginning and no end?
     Who was made Son of God?
     Who is a priest forever?

     We know Him as Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God.
     We call Him Lord.
     We will call Him King, when he comes to reign.
     In heaven, one of His names is the Word of God.

     Are you seeing what this is?

     Melchizedek in the Hebrew and Melchisedec in the Greek could
easily be another time when the Word of God took on the form off flesh
and visited the earth.

     Another point to ponder is that this Priest of God made His
appearance here about 2000 years after Adam was born. The baby Jesus
was born approximately 2000 years after Melchizedek appeared on the
earth. Jesus, the King, will return about 2000 years after his
manifestation as our Saviour. I do not believe this is coincidence.
Abraham, the father of all believers, was the only one who saw Him. 
For Abraham to be the father of all the believers through our faith, 
he had to believe in the One we call Jesus. 

     God has revealed something to us here.

     The reason the Word of God took on the name, Jesus, was to show
us He was our Saviour. He took the name, Christ, so that we would know
that He was the Anointed One. He had many names; Messiah, Jehovah,
Mighty God, Emmanuel, Bright and morning Star, and so many others, I
would have to use the rest of this Bible study to bring them. I
believe this Melchizedek was the Word of God (Jesus as we know Him).

     Hebrews 7:7-24, Hebrews 7:7 "And without all contradiction the
less is blessed of the better."
     Hebrews 7:8 "And here men that die receive tithes; but there he
[receiveth them], of whom it is witnessed that he liveth."
     Hebrews 7:9 "And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth
tithes, payed tithes in Abraham."
     Hebrews 7:10 "For he was yet in the loins of his father, when
Melchisedec met him."
     Hebrews 7:11 "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical
priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further
need [was there] that another priest should rise after the order of
Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?"
     Hebrews 7:12 "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of
necessity a change also of the law."
     Hebrews 7:13 "For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth
to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar."
     Hebrews 7:14 "For [it is] evident that our Lord sprang out of
Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood."
     Hebrews 7:15 "And it is yet far more evident: for that after the
similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,"
     Hebrews 7:16 "Who is made, not after the law of a carnal
commandment, but after the power of an endless life."
     Hebrews 7:17 "For he testifieth, Thou [art] a priest for ever
after the order of Melchisedec."
     Hebrews 7:18 "For there is verily a disannulling of the
commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness
thereof."
     Hebrews 7:19 "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing
in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God."
     Hebrews 7:20 "And inasmuch as not without an oath [he was made
priest]:"
     Hebrews 7:21 "(For those priests were made without an oath; but
this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will
not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec:)"
     Hebrews 7:22 "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better
testament."
     Hebrews 7:23 "And they truly were many priests, because they were
not suffered to continue by reason of death:"
     Hebrews 7:24 "But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an
unchangeable priesthood."

     You see, what this is all saying is that Jesus and Melchisedec
are not at all like the other priests, who just serve for a short time
during their lives, but are a Priest forever; on earth and in heaven.
No one could truly be forgiven forever through the work of the priest
here on the earth, but Jesus fulfilled the law and purchased our
salvation. His power was shown in the endless life.

     Hebrews 7:25-28, Hebrews 7:25 "Wherefore he is able also to save
them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth
to make intercession for them."
     Hebrews 7:26 "For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy,
harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the
heavens;"
     Hebrews 7:27 "Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to
offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's:
for this he did once, when he offered up himself."
     Hebrews 7:28 "For the law maketh men high priests which have
infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh]
the Son, who is consecrated for evermore."

     Just as Jesus fed the disciples bread and wine (the passover), we
see Melchizedek fed Abram bread and wine. He blessed Abram. Only God
can bless, really. All these things show me Jesus.

     Genesis 14:21 "And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the
persons, and take the goods to thyself."
     Genesis 14:22 "And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift
up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven
and earth,"
     Genesis 14:23 "That I will not [take] from a thread even to a
shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that [is] thine, lest
thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:"
     Genesis 14:24 "Save only that which the young men have eaten, and
the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre;
let them take their portion."

     Abram did not want to be obligated to this king of Sodom. His
intent was to rescue his nephew, Lot. He knew that God had won the
battle for him. The only payment was wages for the men that went with
him.
                             Questions 23


1.  What are two other names for the Salt Sea?
2.  What country is Elam today?
3.  How many years of unrest was in the land?
4.  What two things caused the war?
5.  What were the slimepits?
6.  In Genesis 14:13, what is Abram called?
7.  What did he do, when he found Lot was taken?
8.  What did Abram bring back?
9.  Where was the king's dale?
10. When Abram met Melchisedec, what did Melchizedek bring forth?
11. What was different about Jesus and Melchisedek from Aaron?
12. Did Jesus or Melchisidec come through the Levitical tribe?
13. How long did Melchizedek live?
14. Who was his father and mother?
15. What does Salem mean?
16. What did Abram give Melchizedek?
17. Who is the King of Righteousness?
18. Who is the King of Peace?
19. Who has no beginning and no end?
20. Who is the Son of God?
21. What is Jesus' most used name in heaven?
22. When did He acquire the name Jesus?
23. What does "Jesus" mean?
24. Give at least six more names of Jesus?
25. Who is made in the power of an endless life?
26. What did the law make perfect?
27. How many offerings of sacrifice did Jesus make?
28. What did the king of Sodom ask for?
29. What did he get?
30. What do you personally think about Melchizedek?

                                 Notes