Recognizing Where the Blessings Comes From

The Blessing

By William M. Self, Sr.

 

 

Recognizing Where the Blessings Comes From

Abraham saw his blessings from God were endless.

When the King of Sodom came to bless him for

defeating his enemies…

He refused the King of Sodom,

so that no one could say they made Abraham rich.

Recognizing where the blessing comes from, Kedorlaomer

was an oppressive king, he and three other kings

set out to conquer five other kings and their lands.

Kedorlaomer was successful…

Two of the kings he conquered were 

the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was living in the land

of Sodom and Gomorrah and was taken captive…

 “When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out 

the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan.”

Abraham trained the men born in his house to do battle…

318 of them did what 5 kings could not do.

When the battle was over, the men of battle

were refreshed by the takings of battle…

 But Abraham was refreshed by Melchizedek, king of Salem.

Melchizedek means “My King is Righteous”

 and Salem means “peace”.

Melchizedek king of Salem brought out

bread and wine to refresh Abraham.

Melchizedek priest of the Most High … 

“Blessed Abram, saying,

"Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.

And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand."

In return…

“Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

 Now the king of Sodom wanted to bless Abraham.

Abraham just gave him back his life and kingdom.

But Abraham refused to be refreshed 

or made rich by the king of Sodom.

"I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, 
Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken 
an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, 

not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that 
you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.'

Abraham’s total reliance and faith was in God.

It wasn’t in his work or ability…

 It was in God.

He was secure in refusing this great gift from the King of Sodom.

All credit for the blessing was given to God.

Therefore, Abraham could always be the blesser.

Think of it this way…

If God is supplying all of your needs, next time you are 

offered a fair price for your service, give a portion of it back.

Being a blessing to them, you communicate that

you are blessed and well taken care of by God.

If you believe you are taken care of by God,

then be like Abraham and give a tithe to God.

You and I have to answer the question…

 Are we blessed by our work and accomplishments or by God?

 

  

Scripture Reading

Genesis 14:11-24 NIV

11 The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. 12 They also carried off Abram's nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.

13 One who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.

17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,

"Blessed be Abram by God Most High,

Creator of heaven and earth.

20 And blessed be God Most High,

who delivered your enemies into your hand."

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself."

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.' 24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me — to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share."