Growing and Grace and Knowledge with Abraham: Defeat Enemies, Receive Blessings

Even though Lot and Abram endured strife for a period of time, Abram did not forsake his relative.

As we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, we find ourselves able to forgive and receive those who had harmed us in the past. We forgive because God has forgiven us through His Son, Jesus (Ephesians 4: 32).

When Lot was captured by enemy kings, Abram came to his rescue:

"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.

"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." (Genesis 14: 13-14)

Abram possessed such wealth and legacy, that he commanded an army of servants -- born in his own house. Of course, this was no surprise to Abram, for the Lord told him that he would be a blessing.

After surely routing the enemy kings who had kidnapped Lot, Abram restored to his nephew all that was stolen from him. Not only do we possess greater wealth, but we are able to restore the substance of others who have lost much:

"And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people." (Genesis 14: 16)

Following the immense victories which Abram accomplished, he received a glorious visit from Jesus in a pre-incarnate form as Melchizedek, priest of God Most High:

"And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

"And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

"And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all." (Genesis 14: 18-20)

As we do greater things in our faith walk with God, we learn that we are not doing anything but receiving the grace and power of God, who works in us (Philippians 2: 13)

We receive greater blessings when we acknowledge that God has delivered our enemies into our hands, not we ourselves. Melchizedek provided bread and wine, the symbols of Jesus' future sacrifice which would reconcile and restore man to greater fellowship with his God.

The last part of this account is also important. After Abraham received a great victory over his enemies, he tithed a tenth of all that he got. In taking in greater blessings, the believer learns to give back a tenth, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9: 7)