Walk in Newness of Life Pt. 13 Faith says “No" to Temptation
We are studying what it means to walk in newness of life and we are looking at the steps of faith that Abraham took.
In the archives from May 25-28, 2019, you will find a series of lessons on the divine name "El Elyon." These lessons teach about this special name of God in more detail and also teach about Melchisedec who is a type of Christ. I suggest reading those lessons since will will not delve into Melchisedec in this lesson.
Chaos and Conflict leads to war.
Genesis 14:1-4 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; 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. 3) All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. 4) Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
This chapter opens with ongoing preparations for war and describes a stormy and chaotic period of history. It introduces a person who is a picture or "type of Christ" found in the Old Testament. This text also introduces a king that is a picture or "type of Satan."
Nine different nations were listed and this indicates a widespread conflict. Two different coalitions fought against each other and the five kings from the region of Sodom and Gomorrah were forced to pay tribute.
The phrase “Tidal king of nations” refers to a king ruling over a host of people that are compared to swarming, clouds of locusts devouring every edible thing in sight.
Sodom was a city state known for sexual perversion. Gomorrah was a city state nearby and was a companion to the corruption of Sodom. All five cities in the region were slated for destruction by God.
The Valley of Siddim is the valley where the Dead Sea is located. The term “slime pits” refers to large pools containing a tar based substance like pitch, asphalt or bitumen. It was in hot liquid form and emitted noxious odors.
After paying tribute for thirteen years, the coalition of five cities rebelled and war broke out.
All five kings were defeated and Lot was captured.
Genesis 14:11-12 11) And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. 12) And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
The battle began in the vale of Siddim where the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were defeated and fled for their lives. The text tells us that the victorious kings spoiled Sodom and Gomorrah and also carried Lot away.
In the text above, the name Bera means the evil one or the
iniquitous one. Bera led the rebellion against the conquering forces. He was a
coward who ran away when facing certain defeat. His cowardice allowed his people to be captured. He really only cared about his own
selfish desires and in each of these aspects, he is like Satan.
Abraham was alerted that Lot was captured.
Genesis 14:13-16 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. 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. 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. 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.
A witness to the battle came to Abraham to tell him that Lot had been taken. The patriarch had faith that God would protect him because he only had 318 trained servants that he armed, and he was facing a superior coalition of forces.
When God is for us who can be against us? Abraham successfully overtook the enemy forces and killed many of them. He caused them to flee in terror and was able to bring back all the people who were captured along with all the goods.
Faith is the essential ingredient for walking in newness of life.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
The texts from Hebrews tell us of the importance of our faith in God. Abraham obeyed God when told to leave his ancestral homeland to travel to a place that he did not know.
Note how the writer of Hebrews says that saints of old exercised faith in God and subdued kingdoms, were brave in battle and caused their enemies to flee. These texts also apply to Abraham since he defeated what was arguably a vastly superior army.
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.
Remember that I mentioned Bera, King of Sodom was a picture of the Devil? Notice that he quickly went out to meet Abraham after he returned from defeating Chedorlaomer's forces.
Gen 14:21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
Notice what Bera told Abraham. He commanded him to give him all the people. The word "persons" literally means the "souls" of those people. Thus, we see the connection with Satan who wants to damn the souls of men to hell.
In return, Abraham could take all the spoils. Bera went out to meet Abram with evil intentions and his only intent was for Abram to give him all the people. He sought to tempt or seduce Abram by offering to give him all the spoils of war. This was the point of temptation for Abraham.
1Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
The temptations of wealth and fame are common temptations for all of us. Our flesh always wants more and seeks self glory instead of God's glory. God always provides a way of escape when we are tempted and He did for Abraham. The way of escape for Abraham was remembering who God was, what He promised and all of His mighty works.
Abraham was faced with a choice of trust, belief, and perspective. Would he live his life as a self-centered man or a God-centered man? Was Abraham the one who had gained a great victory over the enemy kings, or did Jehovah provide deliverance, as Melchizedek had said? Would he be swayed by Bera's tempting offer or listen to the man of God, Melchisedec?
Abraham had faith and pleased God.
Genesis 14:22-24 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, 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: 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.
Abraham forcefully declared his allegiance to God. The phrase "I have lifted up my hand unto the LORD, the most high God" is a strong statement of faith and loyalty from Abraham. It is very much like taking an oath in a court of law by raising your right hand and swearing to tell the truth when you give testimony as a witness. Abraham bore witness to the One, true God of heaven and earth.Abraham was learning to trust his God with every detail of his life. Abraham already knew that the Most High God is the rightful owner of everything because He created all things. He refused to brag about his military exploits because he knew that God provided the victory from everyone else. Thus, Abraham chose to rely on God.
The names of God used in this text are distinctive. The divine name "Jehovah" is familiar to us. He is the self existent God who inhabits eternity but dwells with those who have humble hearts and contrite spirits. He is the promise keeping, unchanging God, the "I Am that I Am" who appeared to Moses at the burning bush.
"El Elyon" is the other name of God, translated "most high God." El is a general term that also expresses God's majesty and power. The name El Elyon conveys the idea of God as highly exalted. It refers to His omnipotent power over all things. When God revealed Himself as El Elyon, it emphasized His absolute superiority as the One, True God of heaven and earth. God alone is worthy to be worshipped in the world. It reminds us that he is the Creator of heaven and earth and the Owner of all.
Thoughts to Ponder...
Abraham shows us by his example of faithfulness that we must take a strong stand for God by unashamedly declaring our loyal allegiance to Him. And, just like Abraham resisting Bera, who typifies our great enemy Satan, we must resist and refuse the temptations offered by Satan,our great enemy.
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