Sharper Iron & Truth in Genesis: After the War

Rev. Gaven Mize, pastor of Augustana Lutheran Church in Hickory, North Carolina, studies Genesis 14:17-24 on today’s episode. Rev. Mize talks about our proper understanding of being at the same time saint and sinner, who Melchizedek king of Salem is, and the connection between the High Priest’s sacrifice and our Eucharistic practice.

“In the Beginning was the Truth” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron featuring a step-by-step walk through the book of Genesis, focusing on the truth of Jesus, the story of salvation found throughout the book, and how we view our lives through the lens of God’s promises.

Genesis 14:17-24

Abram Blessed by Melchizedek

¹⁷After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). ¹⁸And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) ¹⁹And he blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Possessor^[a] of heaven and earth;
²⁰and blessed be God Most High,
who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. ²¹And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.”²²But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand^[b] to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, ²³that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ ²⁴I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”