Walking With Abraham pt. 2

II. Egypt, Lot, and War of the Nine Kings – Genesis ch. 12-14

Genesis 12:12-20 – Abram goes to Egypt. What is your impression of Abram? Coward; selfish. See Abram’s faults. Not perfect. He is still in the infant stage of his faith. Abram has yet to learn how to fully trust God.

Genesis ch. 13 - vs. 4 Abram returns to altar at Bethel and calls on God. What do you think he talked to God about? Repentance for his lack of faith in Egypt; thankful that God spared his life; the altar reminded Abram of God’s promise to him. Summarize dispute between Lot’s herdsmen and Abram’s. Abram and Lot go separate ways.

Read vs. 9-11. What is your impression of Abram? Generous, humble, peacemaker. What is your impression of Lot? Selfish, disrespectful to his “father.” Read vs. 14-18 – What does God do? Reaffirmed the covenant. Gives Abram reassurance. Once again Abram builds an altar to God.

Genesis ch. 14 – Nine kings in Canaan get into a big war. Lot finds himself in trouble. Taken hostage by one of the kings. Abram hears about it. Vs. 13 – first time word “Hebrew” used in the Bible. Describes Abram’s nationality.

If you had been Abram, what would your response had been to the mess Lot found himself in? What was Abram’s response? Determined to rescue Lot. Led his special forces unit/Green Berets/Seal Team 318 to rescue Lot.

What characteristic do you see in Abram? Love. A “turn the other cheek” love, a forgiving love. Abram willing to sacrifice his life and the lives of others to rescue his disrespectful nephew. Abram gets into a war among rival local kings to rescue Lot.

Read vs. 18-24. What is unique about Melchizedek? King and priest. His name means “king of righteousness.” Salem – Hebrew for “peace.” Early name for Jerusalem. Melchizedek is a “king of righteousness” and “king of peace.” Sound familiar. Hr foreshadow Jesus Christ. Read Hebrews chapter 7. First communion service and first tithe. Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of everything he won in the battle against the kings.