How Can You Honor God Most High?

Blessed be God Most High

(Genesis 14:17-24, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, October 26, 2014)

[17] After 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). [18] And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)

The Lord had granted a great victory to Abram in a time of great need. The war was over, but there were still lessons to be learned as the celebration began. God would be honored in Abram's unusual interactions with the king of Sodom and the king of Salem (later Jerusalem). The first of these kings we had heard about in the earlier verses in this chapter, but the second, Melchizedek, seems to come out of nowhere. We learn more about him in Psalm 110 and Hebrews 7. Who is this “King of Righteousness” who is also the King of Peace (Salem)? Why is it that he “brought out bread and wine” and how is it that there was some other person in the world who was devoted enough to Abram's God to be designated “priest of God Most High?”

[19] And he blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
[20] and blessed be God Most High,
who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Melchizedek, as the Lord's representative, blessed Abram and Abram's God. He identified this one true God as the source of Abram's blessings and as the “Possessor of heaven and earth.” Abram honored this king and priest by giving him “a tenth of everything.” These actions signified that Melchizedek was Abram's superior. Melchizedek honored Abram's God for the patriarch's surprising victory in war.

[21] And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” [22] But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, [23] that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ [24] I 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.”

As a contrast to Melchizedek, the king of Sodom wanted to honor Abram for the defeat of their enemies. Abram solemnly refused his offer. He had promised God that he would deny the king of Sodom an opportunity to boast that he had been the source of Abram's blessings.

Put the Word to Work: Why is Melchizedek so right and the King of Sodom so wrong? It was important to Abram that credit would go to God Most High. All of Abram's wealth and security had come to him according to the promise and power of the Almighty. The Lord had sent Melchizedek as His representative so that Abram could give testimony before the world regarding his God. When we honor Jesus, we testify that the God and Father of Jesus is our God and Father. All of our blessings come from Him. It is our privilege to give witness to the reality of God and to the power of His unfailing promises to us in Christ. The honor that we give to our Lord must be more than outward ceremonies. We are called to remember His love for us and to give ourselves to Him with the sincerity of true worship. Jesus honored His Father perfectly. We honor the Father when we give glory to His Son. He is our victory.

Memory Verse from the Songs of Ascents—Psalm 124:6– Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth!

Gospel Reading—Matthew 15:10-20 – What defiles a person?