This chapter is kind of an enigma. Four kings fight off five other kings? This isn’t right… but I’m more disturbed that Lot was captured so that he never recovered, though Peter writes much later that Lot was a righteous man (2 Peter 2:7). This chapter is found in pages 7-8 of my NKJV Bible, pages 9-10 of my NASB Bible, pages 15-16 of my VOICE copy (there’s a note about Melchizedek near the end; I’ll comment on that in a second), and pages 16-17 of my Amplified Bible (Classic Edition) copy. I don’t want to write much on this, by the way; I’ll likely make a note on verses 18-20 later, maybe later tonight, for I’m making a pizza right now 😋🍕😇
Someone noted in the Amplified Bible (Classic Edition) version (footnote z, page 16) that Moses made an explanation where the cities were located, for this happened several hundred years before the Israelites arrived in the land this was set in. It’s really neat 😊 but it’ll be hard for anyone to recognize where this is if they don’t know where Israel is. Still, Jesus said that Abraham didn’t do satanic deeds when some Jewish people were confronting Him about truth and freedom (John 8:40) — I’m referring to killing Jesus; which is something that unfortunately, was unavoidable after He had done three years of ministry. Still, Abraham had hated idolatry his whole life, seeing that he had destroyed all the idols in his father’s shop in his childhood (see here for more thoughts on this). It’s too bad he had lots of things stolen from him, though. But at least Lot is in good hands here 😌
The most interesting part of this chapter is the Melchizedek figure. The writer of Hebrews said he was without parents or genealogy, having neither a beginning nor an end (Hebrews 7:3) — I think Melchizedek was Jesus in disguise. Sounds strange, yeah, I know, but when you see this much godly personality about someone like this, it can only mean Melchizedek was Jesus, albeit briefly. This I don’t think happens often, but we can give to people in need because we’d be entertaining angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2). Abraham gave a tenth of everything he had to Him… for what I don’t know. I don’t think this is required for anyone in terms of monetary giving to any church to stay with Jesus or to even receive Him in the first place. But if you want to give from the heart, He loves it (2 Corinthians 9:7)!
The next four verses after this speak of the king of Sodom (remember, the people were chief reprobates; see Genesis 13:13) — oh, my pizza’s done; time to cut it! (a few minutes later…) I’m letting it cool down for five more minutes, for it’s very hot. Anyway, he wanted to give Abraham the spoils if he’d give his people to him. I’m like, “That’s not a good idea.” I don’t know what he was thinking… but I don’t think he acted on God’s authority, the king of Sodom. Indeed, he was probably the one who was making such incredible arrogance and stinginess happen (see Ezekiel 16:49), as other kings may have done before. But at least everyone had chances to repent and believe Jesus, for Abraham wanted to see Him one day (John 8:56). I know I only want to do what’s right and see Him. I pray I’m not dealt a fate worse than death as a result…
Anyway, on an unrelated story, I saw lots of Super Mario Maker 2 content for the Nintendo Switch on YouTube, and I’m very excited to see video footage of whatever creative levels I imagine millions of people will create from their levels! It’s really cool, for God loves creativity like this. When I first found out about it, I thought, “Wow! This is already better than the first game for the Wii U, released in 2015!”
Have any prayer requests? Drop them in an e-mail on ron.outland4727@gmail.com! I’ll write each of them down in my bedroom walls! I’ll see you in the note on verses 18-20! Ciao!
Ron And His Stories 