Gen 14:17-24
Read Heb 6:12-15
Who is the writer of Hebrews asking us to imitate? In v13, it’s Abraham (waited patiently and received what was promised).
Abram was great because of his faith in God. He was not always faithful, but God saw him through and his faith was strengthened and settled.
We are going to see a third event in Abraham’s life that is an example of his faith and it concerns giving.
Following the victory, Abraham faced a greater temptation as he met the King of Sodom. It is usually true that Satan tempts us immediately after a great spiritual victory. The King of Sodom wanted to bargain with Abraham and get him to compromise by accepting the wealth of Sodom, but Abraham refused. The wealth of Egypt had proved a snare. The wealth of Sodom would be worse. Abraham ignored the king of Sodom, but he honored the king of Salem.
Hebrews 5–7 makes it clear that Melchizedek (“king of righteousness”) is a type of Christ, our heavenly High Priest. As King of Salem (“peace”) Christ gives us peace through His own righteousness, made possible by His death on the cross.
What an encouragement it is to see Melchizedek meeting Abraham just when the king of Sodom tempts him! As King and Priest, Christ is able to give us “grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
The bread and wine (v. 18) typify Christ’s body and shed blood and like Melchizedek, the heavenly priesthood of Christ is made possible through the cross. Melchizedek met Abraham, fed him, and blessed him. What a wonderful Savior!
Abraham honored Melchizedek by paying him tithes of all. This is the first instance of tithing in the Bible, and it occurs years before the giving of the Mosaic Law. Abraham refused the riches of the world but shared his wealth with the Lord, and God richly blessed him.
Hebrews (7:4–10) indicates that these tithes were paid (in type) to Christ, signifying that believers today are following Abraham’s example as they bring tithes to the Lord.
Why did Abraham pay tithes before he was commanded to do so? Because he recognized that Melchizedek represented God, Abram, out of a heart of love and gratitude he expressed his faith in God by giving.
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