Epistle for April 3, 2009
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E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation April 3, 2009
Material Prosperity & Family Disruption
(Genesis 13:1-18)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on Abram's journey into Egypt . . . into sin (Genesis 12:9-13)
1. Straying: Abram sinned by moving his family to a place outside
of God's promised land . . . out from under the Lord's canopy of
blessing, v. 9.
2. Doubting: Abram moved "in the flesh" to seek a place where he
could avoid famine, rather than trusting in God's providence. V. 10.
3. Lying: Abram conspired with Sarai, and lied to the Egyptian Pharaoh
about his husband-wife relationship with her . . . as a means of self-
preservation, vv. 11-13.
4. Stealing: Abram received Pharaoh's rich gifts under false pretenses,
with the implication that he was accepting a dowry . . . for which
deception he was strongly reprimanded and exiled, vv. 14-20.
II. Meditation: on Abram's return from Egypt (Genesis 13:1-9
1. Abram returned to Canaan from Egypt with abundant wealth, vv. 1-2.
2. Abram came "back to Bethel" where he had built an altar (Genesis 12:8),
and there he called on the name of the Lord, vv. 3-4.
3. Material prosperity caused family disruption, vv. 5-7.
4. Abram, the head of the family, deferred to his nephew, Lot, giving him
the first choice of the land, vv. 8-9.
III. Revelation: on the results of the choices made by Lot and Abram (Genesis 13:10-18)
1. Lot chose the well-watered fertile plain of Jordan, which included the
cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, vv. 10, 12.
2. Lot associated himself with the men of Sodom, who were exceedingly
wicked and sinful against the Lord, vv. 12-13.
3. Abram dwelt in Canaan . . . and, at God's word, walked through the length
and width of the entire "Promised Land," vv. 12, 17.
4. Abram received God's promises of blessings:
(1) Land as far as the eye can see in all directions, vv. 14-15.
(2) Descendants as numerous as all the dust particles on earth, v. 16.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Repent of my sins away from God "in Egypt" and by faith return to Bethel
(God's house) for forgiveness, cleansing, renewal of spiritual relationship
and revival of intimate fellowship with God.
2. Build altars for me and my family, where together we can worship, praise,
and thank the Lord.
3. Realize that material possessions often cause family dissension, and know
that as a genuine Christian I am not to demand my own rights,
Matthew 5:39-44; Luke 12:13-14; Romans 12:10; Ephesians 5:21.
4. Make all my important decisions with an eye on the revealed, spiritual
purposes of the Lord . . . for His plan is my roadway of blessings.
The Kings of Sodom and Salem
(Genesis 14:1-24)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on Abram as a warrior in battle (vv. 1-16)
1. Abraham enlisted 318 servant-warriors; they attacked and defeated
a coalition of four hostile kings who had raided Lot's city.
2. Abram rescued his nephew, Lot, and other hostages; taking much
loot from the defeated army.
3. The King of Sodom is a perfect depiction of Satan, the king of hell.
"Sodom" literally means "burnt" or "scorched." This king was the
leader of a hell-bent city, destined to be destroyed by divine judgment.
4. The King of Salem (Melchizedek) ruled over the ancient city of Salem
(Jerusalem). He is a type of Christ, and his name means "Prince of
Peace," Hebrews 7:1-10; Isaiah 9:6.
II. Meditation: on Abram's dealings with the King of Sodom (vv. 17, 21-24)
1. Abram was confronted by Satan's representative, the King of Sodom.
2. Often after winning a great victory, God's people face a new choice in
their spiritual priorities, a real and practical temptation to sin.
3. Such times of testing reveal true priorities; for God's people, no degree
of attainment bypasses the need for godly faithfulness in the basics.
4. The subtlety of the King of Sodom's approach was demonic. He said,
"You can have all the plunder, just give me the people," That's
Satan's way: "I'll give you anything, just let me control the souls."
III. Revelation: on Abram's dealing with the King of Salem (vv. 18-20)
1. Abram established his relationship with the King of Salem, who gave
him bread and wine, v. 18. (The Hebrews identify Melchizedek with Shem.)
2. Melchizedek's actions 2,000 years before Christ foreshadowed the priestly
ministry of Christ.
3. Melchizedek used the same elements Christ used in the Lord's Supper.
4. Abram worshipped God . . . and he offered tithes.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Resist Satan. Abram confronted the King of Sodom with the words, "I have
raised my hand (sworn allegiance) to the Lord God Most High, the possessor
of heaven and earth," v. 22.
2. Reject Sin. Abram rejected Sodom's proposal, saying (in essence), "I don't
want anything that has the smell of your scorched life on it. I don't want
you to be able to brag that you made Abram rich."
3. Put God first. Abram's priority was clear: everything is God's. The tithe
showed that he is God's, with no relationship or obligation to Satan.
4. Hear God's voice. The next chapter (Genesis 15) begins with these words:
"After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying,
"Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
Measure wealth not by the things you have, but
by the things you have for which you
would not take money.
- Good Stuff
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