Genesis 13-14

What’s Happening?

God is in control. God is faithful. These two truths jump off the page in all three stories here.

First, Abram and his nephew Lot face a dilemma. Their herds are too large to live in the same land (Genesis 13:5–6). Abram, instead of asserting his rights, lets Lot choose first. Lot lifts up his eyes and chooses the fertile valley of the Jordan, near Sodom, a city infamous for its wickedness (Genesis 13:10–13). Abram is left with what looks like the lesser land. Yet this is the land God had promised him, and God reconfirms his covenant: “Lift up your eyes… to you I will give it” (Genesis 13:14–15). Without Abram even choosing, God secures for him the land of blessing.

Second, Lot’s land is attacked by an alliance of rival kings. His family and possessions are taken (Genesis 14:12). But Abram, with only 318 men, defeats these kings and rescues Lot with all his goods (Genesis 14:15–16). Abram wins not by might but because God gave him the victory.

Finally, Abram is met by two kings. Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High, blesses Abram (Genesis 14:18–20). In response, Abram gives him a tenth of all he owns. But the king of Sodom tries to bless Abram with the plunder from the battle (Genesis 14:21). Abram refuses, declaring he wants no one to say, “I made Abram rich” (Genesis 14:23). He will receive blessing only from God.

God is in control. God is faithful.

Where is the Gospel?

These stories find their fulfillment in Jesus, the promised seed of blessing.

Like Abram, we often don’t see clearly why our lives fall where they do—by choice or by circumstance. But God guides our steps to the place where his promise is fulfilled (Proverbs 16:9). What looks like the “lesser portion” is often the place of blessing in Christ.

Like Abram’s small army, Jesus overcomes the greatest powers—not by strength of weapons, but by what looked like weakness. By laying down his life, he defeats the beastly power of death and the serpent’s seed of violence that has ruled humanity since Cain (1 Corinthians 1:23, 25).

Like Melchizedek, Jesus is both King and eternal Priest (Hebrews 7:17). Abram’s tithe and blessing point forward to the one who has no end, whose priesthood secures our access to God forever.

And like Abram, we do not need the treasures of Sodom. The inheritance Jesus won for us through his resurrection is a greater wealth than anything this world can offer (Romans 8:17). The blessing of God’s eternal kingdom is enough.

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit would give you eyes to see the God who is faithful to guide and bless his people. And may you see Jesus as the King and Priest who defeats the powers of death and secures an eternal inheritance for all who belong to him.