Genesis: Under The Radar – Part 5 And he came out of nowhere… Genesis 14:5-24 October 8th, 2017
I. A MIRACULOUS BACKSTORY. (v.5-16)
A. FOUR kings on a RAMPAGE. (v.5-7)
B. FIVE kings SEEK to STOP it. (v.8-12)
C. Abram SAVES the DAY. (v.13-16)
The Old Testament is in many ways a Wild West of Biblical proportions. In Abram’s day cities had kings and they would unite against each other to conquer and pillage others. Abram and his “army” are small by comparison, but they have a secret weapon the other’s are soon to learn about.
1. Sometimes the OT seems so far away from everyday life. What do you feel as you read these stories that we are so far from culturally and temporally?
2. Think of Abram and Lot’s history. What would you have done if you were Abram?
3. What might Abram be feeling as he rides toward home with all the plunder, leading the people along behind him?
II. A MEETING in the valley of the KINGS. (v.17-24)
A. WHO is MELCHIZEDEK? (v.18)
1. “KING of RIGHTEOUSNESS” (v.18)
2. KING of “PEACE”. (v.18)
3. PRIEST of GOD. (v.18)
B. Two DIFFERENT RESPONSES. (v.18-21)
1. A BLESSING and ACKNOWLEDGMENT.(v.18-20)
2. An OFFER of PROVISION. (v.21)
C. The CONTRAST is INTENTIONAL. (v.17-24)
Our sermon today really focuses in on v.17-24, specifically this man named Melchizedek. He seems to appear out of nowhere, and he disappears as quickly as he came. His name shows up in David’s Ps. 110 and in the book of Hebrews, but when it comes to the idea of this series, Under the Radar, Mel is as under the radar as they come.
4. What initially strikes you about Melchizedek? What questions do you have?
5. We aren’t told any details in regards to whether Abram had known this King of Salem previously? Why do you think God would leave something like that out of the text?
6. In what ways are the King of Salem and the King of Sodom different? What ways are they alike?
7. Does it frustrate you or intrigue you that the God leaves so many unanswered questions in this encounter? What might God be saying to you through that?
III. What WE see HERE… (Rom. 15:4)
A. MYSTERY: God works outside our COMPREHENSION. (v.18; Heb 5-7)
B. RECEIVING: God’s nature is to GIVE. (v.19; Jn. 3:16; Lk. 12:32)
C. Realization: Our VICTORIES aren’t OURS. (v.20; Phil. 2:12-13; Rev. 4:9-11)
The longer we look the more we see. That’s what amazes me about the Scripture. This King of Salem shows up for all of 3 verses, and yet it opens the window to a whole other story of what God is doing. Really? Bread and Wine? Priest of the Most High God? King of Righteousness and Peace? It’s as if God is baiting us to ask for more, and then Melchizedek just disappears. What are we to do with that?
8. How important is it to you (scale of 1-10) that you understand what God is doing in any given situation? Why?
9. How good are you are “receiving”? (scale of 1-10) Why or why not? If the spiritual life is about receiving how does that impact your day to day walk with Christ?
10.What “crowns” do you have that are feeding your ego and sense of accomplishment that you need to lay down before the one who has given you that victory?