May the mumbling commence!
We live in a complex world. So, how do we behave toward our friends… our enemies? It is an important question – especially when we have the upper hand. Read from Genesis chapter fourteen:
Abram and his allies recovered everything – the goods that had been taken, Abram's nephew Lot with his possessions, and all the women and other captives.
As Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and his allies, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). Then Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought him bread and wine. Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has helped you conquer your enemies."
Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.
The king of Sodom told him, "Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered."
Abram replied, "I have solemnly promised the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from you. Otherwise you might say, 'I am the one who made Abram rich!' All I'll accept is what these young men of mine have already eaten. But give a share of the goods to my allies – Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre." (Verses 16-24)
After his victory, Abram was met by Melchizedek. Melchizedek honored Abram with wine and bread… he blessed Abram with blessings from God… and he named God as the driving force behind Abram’s success.
Reacting to such a man is quite easy. Abram recognized Melchizedek as a priest of the Lord God Most High, so he gave a tenth – a tithe – of the booty long before the tithe was even instituted. Abram gave proper thanks to God even when he did not have proper thanks to God spelled out for him.
Abram also met the king of Sodom after his victory. The king of Sodom sought to bribe Abram with the goods so that he might gain some leverage to have his people returned to him. It was a shrew and ride move.
People like the king of Sodom are much harder to know how to deal with. However, Abram dealt with the king of Sodom with mercy and grace. Abram rejected the bribe, but he still returned the people to the king. Not only did Abram return all the booty, Abram also did not hold his allies to the same devotion to the Lord that he felt was necessary.
What a wise way of dealing and relating to a diverse group of people with divergent interests! It makes me think of the teaching of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount. Read from Matthew chapter five:
"You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Verses 43-48)
Love the seemingly unlovable. It is a tall order. But it is our marching orders from our Lord Jesus. It is a march towards perfection. Perfect us, O God!
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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