Marked by Faith and Obedience

Genesis 14 presents us with a profound choice that echoes through eternity: which king will we serve? This passage introduces us to two contrasting figures who met Abram after his military victory—the king of Sodom, whose very name means 'son of evil,' and Melchizedek, the mysterious 'king of righteousness' from Salem, the city of peace. The contrast couldn't be starker. One came with demands and self-interest; the other came with bread, wine, and blessing. One represented the world's way of taking and accumulating; the other foreshadowed Christ's way of giving and interceding. Abram's response reveals everything about his spiritual priorities—he refused even a sandal strap from Sodom's king, yet freely gave a tenth of everything to Melchizedek. This chapter challenges us to examine our own lives: Are we giving ourselves to the king of this world, focused on self-preservation and accumulation? Or are we surrendering to the King of Peace, who gave His body and blood for us? The question isn't just about money or possessions—it's about our time, our devotion, our very selves. Melchizedek appears only briefly in Scripture, yet he stands as a powerful preview of Jesus, our eternal High Priest who continually intercedes for us. When we give to God—whether our hearts, our time, our resources, or our service to others—we're responding to the One who has already given us everything. We cannot out-give God, and those who sow bountifully will reap bountifully. This ancient encounter in the Valley of Kings remains urgently relevant today, asking each of us: Which king claims your allegiance?